I don’t know about you, but Home Alone is one of my favourite films ever, one that I make sure to watch every single December just before Christmas.

You are probably already aware of the film, but if you are yet to watch it, I recommend that you watch it ASAP – even if it’s not at Christmas time!

A Bit About the Film

Home Alone is a 1990 American comedy film written and produced by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus. It was released in the United States on November 16, 1990, and became a major box office success, grossing over $476 million against its $18 million budget.

Home Alone was well-received by critics and audiences alike, with many praising its humour, performances, and holiday theme.

The film also launched the career of its child star, Macaulay Culkin, who played the lead role of Kevin McCallister. In addition, the film’s score and soundtrack, composed by John Williams, became popular and have been released on various formats.

A Summary of The Plot

Without giving too much of the plot and excitement away, below is a summary of the film.

Introduction

  • Kevin McCallister is a young boy who frequently gets into arguments with his family
  • Kevin’s family is preparing to go on a holiday trip to Paris, France

Kevin Gets Left Behind

  • During the rush to get to the airport, Kevin gets separated from his family and is accidentally left behind
  • Kevin is initially excited to have the house to himself and starts causing mischief

Burglars Target Kevin’s House

  • Two burglars, Harry and Marv, are casing the neighborhood and decide to target Kevin’s house
  • Kevin overhears their plans and starts preparing for their arrival

Kevin Sets Booby Traps

  • Kevin uses a variety of household items and his creativity to set up booby traps around the house
  • The burglars fall victim to Kevin’s traps and are injured several times

Kevin Thwarts the Burglars

  • Kevin successfully defends his house from the burglars and keeps them at bay
  • The burglars eventually give up and flee from the house

Kevin’s Family Returns

  • Kevin’s family returns home and he is initially in trouble for causing so much mischief
  • However, Kevin’s actions during their absence are eventually revealed and he is praised for his bravery
  • Kevin is also reconciled with his older brother, Buzz, who he had been fighting with before the trip

FInale

  • Kevin’s family celebrates Christmas together and Kevin has learned to appreciate the value of family and being home for the holidays.

Home Alone Sequels and TV Shows

With the film being success a major box office success, it’s not really a surprise that it spawned several sequels and spin offs. Unfortunately, none of them were as good as the original.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

The sequel to the original movie follows Kevin as he travels to New York City and once again has to fend off burglars while his family is away. Featuring a similar plot line – and an appearance from a younger Donald Trump – it was the last film featuring the original cast.

Home Alone 3 (1997)

Set in Chicago and featuring a brand new cast – Alex D. Linz playing the role of Alex Pruitt, a young boy who must protect his home from thieves.

Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House (2002)

The fourth film in the franchise was a made-for-television film that aired on the ABC network. It features a new cast, with Mike Weinberg playing the role of Kevin, and is set in Palm Beach, Florida.

Home Alone: The Holiday Heist (2012)

The last film in the series is another made-for-television film that aired on the ABC Family network. It features a new cast, with Christian Martyn playing the role of Finn Baxter, a young boy who must protect his home from burglars.

There have been no further sequels or updates to the Home Alone franchise since 2012, which confirms the theory that all the best things were created in the 90s!