The Home Alone movie series is a popular holiday classic that has entertained audiences for decades. The series follows the misadventures of 8-year-old Kevin McCallister, who is accidentally left behind by his family while they go on a holiday trip. The movies showcase Kevin’s ingenuity and resourcefulness as he outsmarts burglars and protects his home.
The Original Home Alone Movies
The first two Home Alone movies, simply titled Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, were released in 1990 and 1992 respectively. Both movies were directed by Chris Columbus and produced by John Hughes. The movies star Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern as the burglars Harry and Marv, and Catherine O’Hara and John Heard as Kevin’s parents.
The first Home Alone movie tells the story of Kevin being left behind by his family while they go on a Christmas vacation to Paris. Kevin initially enjoys the freedom of being home alone, but soon realizes that two burglars, Harry and Marv, are planning to rob his house. Kevin uses a variety of traps and tricks to outsmart the burglars and protect his home.
The second Home Alone movie picks up where the first one left off, with Kevin once again being left behind by his family. This time, Kevin accidentally boards the wrong plane and ends up in New York City, where he meets up with the burglars from the first movie, who are now out of prison and looking for revenge. With the help of a kind elderly woman, Kevin must once again use his ingenuity to outsmart the burglars and save the day.
Box Office Success and Critical Reception
Both Home Alone movies were commercially successful and have become holiday classics. The first movie grossed over $476 million at the worldwide box office, making it the highest-grossing live-action comedy of all time. The second movie also performed well at the box office, grossing over $359 million worldwide.
Both movies received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. The first movie was nominated for two Academy Awards, for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. The second movie received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the performances of the cast and the clever use of New York City as a setting.
Spin-Offs and Remakes
In addition to the original movies, there have also been several spin-off movies and TV shows based on the Home Alone franchise. The most notable of these is the Disney Channel series The Home Alone Adventures of Mike and Marley, which ran for three seasons and followed the adventures of a young boy named Mike.
