As the holidays grow near, there’s one tradition that remains as comforting as a warm cup of cocoa by the light-up tree – Rewatching Home Alone on Disney+. It goes without saying, for most fans, the first two movies with Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister hold a special place in the pantheon of Christmas classics. These family favorites have not only stood the test of time but are as indispensable to the holidays as Santa Claus himself.Â
But beyond the ingenious traps and memorable one-liners, the Home Alone franchise is a heartfelt reminder of the importance of family, the magic of the holiday spirit, and that the McCallisters are terrible parents.
Join us as we’re decking the halls with all the Home Alone movies, sorting them in stately fashion according to the critics at Rotten Tomatoes. Grab your tarantula and your aftershave, and prepare for a holiday heist as we revisit the entire franchise – from the unforgettable originals to the later installments that tried (and mostly failed) to capture the McCallister magic.
Home Sweet Home Alone (2021) – 15%
The most recent entry to the franchise was also the most panned by fans of the original and the critics. Not even a cameo from Macaulay Culkin could save this failed holiday movie nobody asked for. Interestingly enough, the sixth film was supposed to be a more mature take on Home Alone, centering on Kevin McAllister’s life as an adult. Unfortunately, the studios went with this subpar remake instead.
Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House (2002) – 24%Â
2002’s direct-to-video sequel tried capturing some of that Home Alone magic by using the characters from the original movie but with a more budget-friendly cast playing them. Needless to say, the idea didn’t go down well. It might have something to do with the off-screen McCallister divorce and the distinct lack of story continuity.
Home Alone: The Holiday Heist (2012) – 27%
Home Alone 4 was so poorly received, that it took a decade before Hollywood tried tapping into the franchise’s potential again. Sadly, the made-for-TV Home Alone 5 didn’t fare much better. However, this one is an entertaining enough stand-alone feature you might enjoy streaming on Disney+ this year.
Home Alone 3 (1997) – 32%
The third film is probably the best out of a bad bunch. Its focus is on a completely different family, and the protagonist has to protect a super powerful microchip hidden inside his toy car. While the most far-fetched entry to the franchise, it gets brownie points for trying to be somewhat original.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) – 35%
The second Home Alone movie was very similar to the first but took the action into the Big Apple. Of course, having Kevin’s parents forget him again wouldn’t have gone well with viewers. Instead, the writers simply had little Kevin accidentally board the wrong plane.
While critical response wasn’t as warm as for the original, the sequel stood the test of time, and many of us revisit it year after year. That’s more than we can say about most contemporary sequels.
Home Alone (1990) – 66%
It’s no surprise the movie that started it all would be the highest-ranked on our list. Featuring Macaulay Culkin, Catherine O’Hara, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern, this OG Christmas movie follows a young Kevin as he tries to defend his home from two burglars.Â
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