How Many Home Alone Movies Are There?

If you were a child and your parents inadvertently left you at home while they went on vacation, what would you do? This is a question that many kids have pondered, inspired by the movie “Home Alone,” a beloved Christmas comedy about two clumsy burglars and one clever eight-year-old boy. The film’s straightforward plot and creative production choices made it a timeless holiday classic, catapulting its young lead, Macaulay Culkin, into fame.

Based on reports from The Hollywood Reporter, when it initially premiered, the movie earned an astounding $285 million – an amount that was particularly noteworthy in 1990. This substantial box office revenue led to the swift production of a sequel, “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” which debuted in 1992. Over the years, these films have evolved into beloved holiday traditions for numerous families. However, the franchise has expanded beyond these two movies, as several subsequent films featuring various children and their creative efforts to safeguard their homes have been produced. Here’s a rundown of the total number of movies in the “Home Alone” series.

Home Alone

1990’s “Home Alone,” penned and produced by the late John Hughes, and directed by Chris Columbus, finds me, the kid named Kevin, navigating life on my own when my family blunders and leaves me behind as they dash to catch their flight to France. I bask in the independence until I discover that crooks Marv (Daniel Stern) and Harry (Joe Pesci) have set their sights on my house. My kinfolk may view me as a handful, but when it comes to solving problems and outsmarting these burglars, I pull out all the stops, devising a cunning battle plan complete with legendary booby traps (Looper has even ranked them according to how much pain they’d inflict). While Mom Kate (Catherine O’Hare) is working tirelessly to get back home to her boy, she even hitches a ride with the polka band The Kenosha Kickers, led by Gus Polinski (John Candy).

Since its debut, this film has woven itself into the tapestry of popular culture, frequently referenced by fans who appreciate its zany humor and touching finale. Mention it to a fellow enthusiast, and they might even mimic one of Kevin’s memorable scenes by placing their hands over their cheeks and exclaiming excitedly. Critics had mixed reactions during its premiere; Roger Ebert argued that some of Kevin’s stunts were only possible with a substantial Hollywood budget, pointing out that this was one of the movie’s implausible aspects. However, The Hollywood Reporter contested this view, describing it as “a refined comic tribute to Middle America” with a “quirky yet believable plotline.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

In “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” young Kevin McCallister experiences the grandeur of the Big Apple after accidentally getting left behind in Manhattan. The 1992 follow-up film shows him luxuriating at the Plaza Hotel, pulling pranks on a cast of famous hotel personnel that includes Tim Curry and Rob Schneider. He indulges in heaps of ice cream sent up by room service, perfects his cannonball dives in the pool, and forges friendships with a homeless woman in Central Park and the proprietor of Duncan’s Toy Chest. This unexpected trip seems like a fantasy come true for Kevin, until he encounters Marv and Harry – the very same burglars who have managed to escape from jail. When they cross paths with Kevin on the street, they set out to wreak havoc once more.

In its own right, the second installment boasts memorable scenes like Kevin’s city tour in a limo and his clever deception of the hotel staff using lines from the fictitious gangster movie “Angels with Even Filthier Souls,” a follow-up to the initial film’s gangster production. These instances are merely a sample of the numerous scenes that make “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” a cherished holiday viewing option for families globally. Upon its release, The New York Times raised questions about originality, noting that many sequences from the first movie were reworked in this sequel. Conversely, The Hollywood Reporter suggested that these repetitions would excite children and enhance their enjoyment of this second offering, which amassed a staggering global box office revenue of $358 million. It’s clear that the sequel adhered to the structure of the original film, thereby establishing a pattern for the franchise.

Home Alone 3

In contrast to John Hughes’ return to the series for “Home Alone 3”, Macaulay Culkin opted not to appear, having grown weary of the limelight. Instead, the 1997 sequel features a new child prodigy as its protagonist and a plot that transcends the boundaries of New York City and idyllic suburban Illinois. In this installment, Alex Pruitt (Alex D. Linz) finds himself home alone while battling chickenpox and dealing with international criminals seeking a top-secret missile chip concealed within a toy car, which eventually lands in his possession.

This story has a spy-themed adventure reminiscent of James Bond movies, suitable for families seeking action-comedy fun. In this movie, Scarlett Johansson portrays Alex’s older sister Molly, who is 11 years old. According to Johansson, she and her six-year-old daughter watched the film during the COVID-19 lockdown, but the little one didn’t recognize her. Notably, fans of “Scrubs,” “Mean Girls,” and “The Middle” will catch a cameo by Neil Flynn, who plays the police officer that Alex contacts for help.

Robert Ebert found this latest installment to be more enjoyable than the initial two, but he also suggested it might appeal more to children rather than adults. The primary reason behind the enduring popularity of the first two movies was their universal appeal, as “Home Alone” offered numerous details that only adults would appreciate. On a similar note, The New York Times was positively impressed, with critic Stephen Holden commenting: “Equip a boy with advanced remote-control gadgets and a director (newcomer Raja Gosnell) who excels in physical comedy that makes grown-ups appear ridiculous, and you’ve revitalized a formula that can sustain at least one more sequel and possibly two.

Home Alone 4

2002’s “Home Alone 4” leaves longtime fans of the first two movies perplexed due to its different cast. Although the characters share the same names as the original ones, they are portrayed by new actors. The story focuses on Kevin McCallister (played by Mike Weinberg), who feels mistreated by his brother Buzz (Gideon Jacobs) and sister Megan (Chelsea Russo). Seeking a change, he decides to spend the holiday season with his father, Peter (Jason Beghe), and his girlfriend, Natalie (Joanna Going), who are hosting a royal family in their advanced home. Coincidentally, this house becomes a target for Marv (French Stewart) and his wife Vera (Missi Pyle).

This movie might seem unusual, but here’s the twist: it’s not a reboot, but rather a continuation of “Home Alone” and its sequel, “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” The evidence is within the movie itself – Kevin identifies Marv as the burglar he previously outsmarted, and his mother recalls that he’s been left alone at home before. We’ll just need to go along with the idea that Kevin’s parents separated somewhere between the second film and this one.

Similar to its predecessor, “Home Alone 4” emphasizes advanced technology, but this technology is used for opulent lifestyle rather than defense systems like missiles. Macaulay Culkin, in a video for RedLetterMedia, remarked that the fourth film blends elements from the “Home Alone” series with those reminiscent of “Richie Rich,” a family comedy he was part of earlier. Common Sense Media criticized the movie, stating it failed to recapture the original’s charm while reusing old material.

Home Alone: The Holiday Heist

2012’s “Home Alone: The Holiday Heist,” the fifth film in the series, delves slightly into the supernatural realm. The story centers around a new family, the Baxters, as they move into their latest home. Initially, a gang of thieves target a house previously owned by an infamous bootlegger, who had in his possession a valuable artwork that Sinclair (Malcolm McDowell from “A Clockwork Orange”) covets. Believing the house is up for sale, Sinclair plans to snatch the piece before anyone else can buy it, but he finds out that he’s come at an inconvenient time. At the same moment, Finn Baxter (played by Christian Martyn) thinks the house is haunted and sets up traps to catch the ghost, hoping to convince his parents that they should return to California. This leads him into contact with the thieves planning the heist.

The movie features Debi Mazar from “Entourage,” playing a character named Jessica (a thief), and Ed Asner as Mr. Carson. The film attempts to engage viewers with physical humor and witty lines, but it ends up being one of the least memorable in the series, despite having some talented actors. It’s hard to understand why Malcolm McDowell agreed to be part of this production. Critics like Mutant Reviewers have commented that this role is a waste of his talent, and they are grateful he agreed to it. Nerds on the Rocks also noted a significant issue with this film: despite being a “Home Alone” movie, the main character is rarely home alone, which seems odd given the series’ focus on a young boy being left at home. It’s surprising that the producers didn’t prioritize this key aspect of the franchise.

Home Sweet Home Alone

The 2021 Disney+ release “Home Sweet Home Alone” revives the franchise in Illinois, offering a narrative reminiscent of the original. Similar to Kevin, Max Mercer (Archie Yates) finds himself exasperated by his family’s constant bickering as they prepare for their journey to Tokyo. In their haste to board their flight, they unwittingly leave Max behind. Following a familiar pattern, this film introduces an unexpected turn: instead of an intruder trying to break into Max’s house, it is neighbor Jeff McKenzie (Rob Delaney) who seeks entry, suspecting Max of stealing his mother’s unique doll during a home tour.

A Glimpse at “Home Sweet Home Alone”: Familiar Faces Galore!

Ellie Kemper plays Jeff’s wife Pam, Kenan Thompson is the realtor Gavin Washington, Chris Parnell appears as Max’s Uncle Stu, and Timothy Simons portrays Jeff’s brother Hunter. Archie Yates, known for his role in Taika Waititi’s satirical comedy “Jojo Rabbit,” also graces the screen. This family-friendly adventure is filled with chuckles, but it seems to have left critics less than impressed: It currently holds a 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Brian Lowry of CNN labeled it an “unimaginative rehash,” while Courtney Howard from Variety described it as mean-spirited, sloppy, and unfunny. Benjamin Lee of The Guardian provided one of the few positive reviews, stating that despite being entirely unnecessary, it still managed to be entertaining.

Although “Lost in New York” sequels may not be top-notch, there are numerous films similar to “Home Alone”, which are great choices for family viewing.

2025-02-01 15:30