Every child at some point has wanted to be home alone, eat junk food, watch TV, and be without adult supervision, at least for a day. Is not it? Kevin McCallister made that dream come true, not once, but twice! Alone at home is not only a holiday movie, it’s a Christmas tradition for many, a coming-of-age experience and a nostalgic treat that only gets better with time and age; we could go on and on about what this comedy classic means. But more on that another time.
The family vacation story follows a young boy, Kevin McCallister, who is accidentally left in Chicago by his family during their Christmas vacation in Paris. Alone at home, he ends up defending his house and himself against two notorious burglars. Alone at home has been Macaulay Culkinas a child actor and Kevin remains a benchmark for young fictional protagonists. The holiday comedy was written and produced by John Hughesand although led by Chris Columbus, has Hughes’ signature comedy style peppered throughout the story and narrative; especially the character arcs we see in his other child-centric stories like Dennis threatens her and Miracle on 34th Street. The film also features, Catherine O’Hara, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John heard, Devin Ratray, Kieran Culkin, Gerry Bammanand Angela Goethalsamong many others.
Since its creation, Alone at home has become an iconic film franchise that can be watched over and over again, especially the very first film, which has inspired a multitude of reboots, retaliation, sequelspopular memes, merchandise and even an Airbnb destination. Every fan of Alone at home has its own reason behind its love for the film, but what ties them all together is the childish antics and ageless silliness, and a certain maturity in its protagonist’s innocence. But it’s not just fun and games, either. Alone at home is an all-time Christmas favorite because of the certain wistful warmth it imparts to audiences, through the subtle emotional moments.
Even if you’ve watched this movie a hundred times, there’s always something new to discover and explore every time you see it and enjoy this classic again. And that’s why Alone at home is and always will be a must-have Christmas watch. So this holiday season, get cozy, round up the gang, and dive into Alone at home, once again. Find out how and where you can watch classic comedy with this handy guide.
When was Home Alone released?
Alone at home created on November 10, 1990in Chicago, followed by a wider release in theaters across the United States on November 16, 1990. Upon release, the film received critical acclaim for its cast, story, and even music. Alone at home became the second highest-grossing film of the year after Ghost and the highest-grossing live-action comedy of years to come, until The hangover part II took his place.
Is Home Alone available for streaming?
Yes, Alone at home is available to stream online, so if you haven’t watched it yet (really?), you can catch the holiday family comedy on Disney+. The streaming service is available by subscription, starting at a basic plan of $7.99 per month. You can also get a bundle of Disney+ with Hulu and watch the movie. Alone at home is also available for rental and purchase at most online video stores.
Is Home Alone available on Blu-ray and DVD?
The first DVD of Alone at home was released in October 1999, followed by the first Blu-ray release in December 2008. A Blu-ray Family Fun Edition became available with both Alone at home and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York in October 2010. A complete box set, titled Home Alone: 25th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Christmas Edition, featuring the first film and all three sequels, was released in October 2015. As a 30th anniversary special, Walt Disney Studios and 20th Century Studios have released the Ultra HD Blu-ray Edition of Alone at homein September 2020.
So what is Home Alone anyway?
Alone at home is basically a story of what every child wishes from time to time – “If only I had the whole house to myself and could do whatever I want”. Kevin McCallister can live that wish, and kids who have seen him in action have vicariously experienced the eight-year-old’s adventures. The huge McCallister family is on their way to Paris to spend Christmas with Kevin’s uncle and his family. Managing 13 kids for a trip, as you can imagine, is nothing short of madness, and things get forgotten and left behind. But no one thought they would end up leaving a child behind. The chaotic travel arrangements have Kevin wishing he was alone and everyone gone. When Kevin wakes up to find that his parents, uncle, and cousins have all gone on vacation and left him home alone, he is not afraid but marvels that he “made them disappear. “.
Living as the man of the house, Kevin is enjoying himself like never before, until he discovers his house is the target of two notorious thieves, known as the Wet Bandits. With no one but himself to defend his home, Kevin learns/invents a few tricks to fend off thieves (leading to some of the best stuntman in a family film of all time). Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern’s relentless Harry and Marv are pitted against Culkin’s equally indomitable Kevin, making for a riot of laughs.
Other Home Alone Franchise Movies You Can Watch Right Now
While the franchise’s first film remains the true original and a classic, the sequels and retaliations of Alone at home have also become popular. However, with the exception of the second sequel, none of the other films in the franchise have any real connection to the first two stories, and most do not feature Kevin or the other characters (except for the last one, which features Kevin’s brother, Buzz, in a cameo). But if there’s one common element to all the films that followed, it’s the child protagonist who finds himself alone at Christmas and must save his home from criminals.
Released in 1992, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York picks up a year after the events of the first film, with the McCallister family leaving for yet another Christmas vacation. One would expect that this time parents would not make the same mistake. Well, they make sure Kevin gets to the airport with them, but eventually, as is inevitable, Kevin gets on the wrong flight and ends up all alone in New York. What else? Kevin is reunited with his old archenemies the Wet Bandits (now calling themselves the Sticky Bandits).
Almost five years later, a third sequel was made titled home alone 3. There’s no Kevin or any of the original characters, nor around Christmas, but the story takes place in Chicago. The film is notable for featuring Scarlett Johansson in one of his first roles. It follows a young boy, Alex, who has been expelled from school due to chickenpox and spots a gang of criminals prowling his neighborhood. He sets up a camera and discovers a top-secret chip hidden inside a remote control car given to him by the grumpy old woman across the street, Mrs. Hess. Despite his attempts to inform the authorities, Alex receives no immediate help, so he decides to deal with the criminals himself. The third sequel was also written and produced by John Hughes but directed by Raja Gosnell. Both home alone 2: Lost in New York and home alone 3 are available to stream on Disney+. While these two are the most notable sequels to Alone at home, Disney+ is also home to the lesser-known soft revival TV movie Home Alone 4: Take Home (2002), Home Alone: The Holiday Heist (2012), and the latest, Home Sweet Home alone (2021).
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