If you’re like many of us, the Home Alone movie franchise has been a comfort in times of need. Whether you’ve stumbled across these movies on TV late at night, or watched them every year since their original release back in 1990; these films have continuously delighted audiences over the last three decades.
Whether it’s been a while since your last viewing, or you want to watch them all in order, here’s a complete guide to the “Home Alone” movies in order – from the oldest to the newest – so you can get your nostalgia fix!
Viewers worldwide are constantly charmed by the “Home Alone” franchise, a timeless American classic. Its unique charm and heartwarming storylines have kept people coming back to watch time after time!
The “Home Alone” movie series was created by John Hughes and followed the misadventures of young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin).
The first movie, “Home Alone,” was released in 1990 and revolved around eight-year-old Kevin being accidentally left at home as his entire family vacationed overseas.
Every installment sees a new crime-busting adventure for the charming character, from thwarting bandits in Lost in New York to playing detective with a covert cat burglar in Taking Back the House.
In this blog post, we aim to show that there is a specific order to watch the “Home Alone” movies for maximum enjoyment so you can revel in childhood nostalgia and embrace the holiday spirit that all of these movies provide!
So get ready to curl up with a hot drink and relive all of your favorite cinematic moments from one of Hollywood’s most cherished series!
Home Alone Movies in Chronological Order
In 1990, when the first home-alone movie was released, which was a HUGE success, it spawned a row of sequels! There are six home-alone movies released between 1990- 2021.
- Home Alone (1990)
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
- Home Alone 3 (1997)
- Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House (2002)
- Home Alone: The Holiday Heist (2012)
- Home Sweet Home Alone (2021)
Home Alone (1990)
We know Home alone is a timeless holiday classic, and it remains the favorite of many fans worldwide. The film follows the misadventures of young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) as he accidentally gets separated from his family and must defend his Home from two burglars named Harry and Marv.
The movie grossed over $476.7 million worldwide against its budget of $18 million.
The film has hilarious moments, heartwarming family scenes, and plenty of holiday cheer. Home Alone was nominated for the esteemed Golden Globe Awards and Academy Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for Macaulay Culkin, and Best Original Score by John Williams.
Additionally, it was selected as one of the top Christmas films due to its remarkable original song “Somewhere In My Memory.” This classic continues to remain timeless.
Fans of the movie are sure to love John heard cameo in the film and the unforgettable zany antics of Pesci and Stern.
So if you want to enjoy a feel-good Christmas season, grab some popcorn and settle in for a viewing of Home Alone. Audiences past and present can agree that this classic will provide plenty of festive fun!
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
“Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” is a 1992 American Christmas comedy film written and produced by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus. It is the second film in the Home Alone franchise and the sequel to Home Alone (1990) and was released after two years after the first film.
The film stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an eight-year-old boy mistakenly left behind when the McCallister family flies to Florida for their Christmas vacation. He gets on the wrong plane and flies to new york.
After arriving, he decides to explore the city and is shocked by a homeless woman feeding pigeons in Central Park. To feel more secure, he quickly uses Peter’s credit card to check into The Plaza Hotel–unbeknownst to him that the Wet Bandits, Harry Lime (Joe Pesci), and Marv Merchants (Daniel Stern) have also arrived after escaping incarceration.
They plan to rob a toy store (Duncan’s Toy Chest) on Christmas Eve, but Kevin eventually thwarts their scheme and stops them from robbing the store.
The film was released on November 20, 1992, by 20th Century Fox. “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success, grossing $359 million worldwide against its $28 million budget.
Home Alone 3 (1997)
The third film in the same series finds young Kevin McCallister (Alex D. Linz) again fending off criminals, this time in New York City. This part of the series was directed by Raja Gosnell.
This time the story revolves around four criminals, Peter Beaupre, Alice Ribbons, Burton Jernigan, and Earl Unger who were actively sought after by international law enforcement for their connections to terrorist organizations.
Recently they have attempted an audacious heist in Silicon Valley: A highly advanced missile-cloaking microchip valued at $10 million! To avoid detection by security personnel at San Francisco International Airport, the crew has ingeniously disguised the chip with a remote control toy car.
Unfortunately, a misdirected luggage leads an elderly passenger named Mrs. Hess from Chicago to unknowingly take the thieves’ bag that contains the precious chip with her. As soon as they arrive in Chicago, the four criminals start their frantic search by visiting each home within Mrs. Hess’s suburban area in order to recover what was stolen from them.
This slapstick-filled family comedy offers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and exciting action sequences. However, this part of the series was not as successful as the previous films and only ended up earning $79.1 million at the box office.
Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House (2002)
In 2002, the “Home Alone” franchise detoured with “Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House.” The film follows Kevin McCallister, played by Mike Weinberg. In this fourth film, Marv Murchins plays French Stewart in this film replacing Daniel Stern from the first films and a different cast altogether.
Peter McCallister, who is in the midst of a divorce with his wife Kate, informs their kids Buzz, Megan, and Kevin that he and Natalie Kalban -his wealthy girlfriend- will be facilitating a royal family’s visit at her mansion. Although initially declining Peter’s offer to join them over Christmas break, Kevin eventually decides to accept after being pressured by Buzz.
This time Kevin is busting the plan of his old nemesis, Marv Murchins, and his wife, Vera by hijacking the royal family’s precious jewels and attempting to blame Kevin for the crime. In an effort to protect his family, Kevin must outsmart these two criminals in order to protect innocent lives.
If you have watched the previous parts of this series, you will know that Kevin is a master of outwitting criminals, But this time he faces an even more significant challenge as he succeeds in stopping Marv and Vera from their plan. Watch the thrilling conclusion as Kevin continues to prove why he is the ultimate home hero.
This film offers more than just action-packed scenes and laughter; it also serves a warm message about family and friendship that resonates with viewers of all ages. Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House is an exciting installment in the beloved “Home Alone.”
Home Alone: The Holiday Heist (2012)
Released on DVD and Blu-ray on November 20, 2012, “Home Alone: The Holiday Heist” is the fifth film in the Home Alone franchise and is directed by Peter Hewitt. In this installment, we follow Finn Baxter (Jodelle Ferland) and his family as they move from California to Maine.
While unpacking at their new house, the family finds a hidden room that belonged to the original homeowners’ son, who disappeared years earlier. Through a series of clues, Finn believes the room is a portal to another world and sets out to solve the mystery of what happened to the boy.
The holiday season plays a major role in “Home Alone: The Holiday Heist,” with Christmas decorations and festive music appearing throughout the film. This makes it the perfect movie to watch during the holidays – whether you’re home alone or not!
Home Sweet Home Alone (2021)
It’s been nearly 30 years since the first “Home Alone” movie was released, and the franchise is still going strong. The latest installment, “Home Sweet Home Alone,” was released on November 12, 2021, and directed by Dan Mazer.
As the concluding chapter of this series, Max Mercer’s tale is a loose connection to the original story. At age ten, he was left behind for the holidays when his family jetted off on vacation to Tokyo due to an unexpected booking error that caused them to take separate flights.
At first, Max relishes the freedom of being on his own. However, he quickly discovers that this newfound independence comes with a price: defending himself and his family’s possessions from burglars.
Home Alone movies have taken us on a journey for the past 30 years, and it’s fair to say that none of them are alike. From Macaulay Culkin’s iconic performances in the original trilogy to Jean Reno and Catherine O’Hara revisiting their roles in Home Alone: The Holiday Heist, each film has taken us through different adventures with its fun plotlines.
Whether you watch all six or remain loyal to your favorite one, which movie will you choose when watching Home alone?
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be more Home Alone movies?
There has yet to be any news about whether or not there will be more Home Alone movies. However, the franchise’s success is known, and we hope to see more Home Alone movies in the coming years.
Are Home Alone Christmas Movies?
Home Alone Movie, the hilarious and heart-warming Christmas classic about a boy accidentally left behind while his family goes on holiday, has been cherished by fans for decades. It’s a must-see movie that continues to bring lively entertainment each year around the festive season.
More BuddyTV Movie Suggestions
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