Home Alone
Movie, 1990, The Early 90s, Set in Christmas
Home Alone is #6 of 27 in release order and #7 of 27 in chronological order in the VHS Kids Classics.
The story
Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister makes the most of the situation after his family unwittingly leaves him behind when they go on Christmas vacation. When thieves try to break into his home, he puts up a fight like no other.
Home Alone recap
The night before the McCallister family flies from Chicago to Paris for Christmas, eight-year-old Kevin is sent to the attic after a fight and wishes his family would disappear. A power cut makes them oversleep, and in the rush to the airport they leave him behind. Kevin wakes to an empty house and thinks his wish came true. He eats junk, watches gangster films and shops for himself, while his mother Kate realises mid-flight and struggles to get home, eventually hitching a ride with a polka band. Two burglars, Harry and Marv, are robbing empty houses in the neighbourhood and decide Kevin's house is next. Kevin fools them for a while with cardboard cutouts and a gangster film, but learns they will break in on Christmas Eve. At church he talks to his scary old neighbour, Marley, who is estranged from his own son, and Kevin decides to defend the house.
Home Alone ending explained
Kevin turns the house into a trap, hitting Harry and Marv with paint cans, an iron, tar, nails and a blowtorch, then leads them to the house next door. When they catch him, Marley knocks them out with a snow shovel, and the police arrest them. On Christmas morning, Kate comes home, followed by the rest of the family, and Kevin watches Marley reunite with his son.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Home Alone
Home Alone is streaming on Disney+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.8/10, Rotten Tomatoes 66%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, before Hook.
- Chronological order: after Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, before Hook.
Cast
- Macaulay Culkin as Kevin
- Joe Pesci as Harry
- Daniel Stern as Marv
- John Heard as Peter
- Roberts Blossom as Marley
- Catherine O'Hara as Kate
- Angela Goethals as Linnie
- Devin Ratray as Buzz
- Gerry Bamman as Uncle Frank
- Hillary Wolf as Megan
- John Candy as Gus Polinski
- Larry Hankin as Officer Balzak
Directed by Chris Columbus.