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‘Home Alone’ Hit Theaters On This Day in 1990

‘Home Alone’ Hit Theaters On This Day in 1990

By:

Evan Roberson

Home Alone, the hit Christmas movie that launched a film franchise, was released on this day in 1990. The film, which stars Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern, is officially 33 years old.

Directed by Chris Columbus, the movie was the first entry in the Home Alone franchise. Columbus would also go on to direct Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, which was released in 1992. That sequel starred the original cast and was just as big of a success at the box office as the original film.

Speaking of box office, the first Home Alone set records in 1990. It made over $476 million at the box office, despite only having a $18 million budget. It was the highest-grossing live-action comedy ever until 2011 when The Hangover: Part II dethroned it.

The second entry didn’t do too shabby, either. It was also released on November 15, two years later, and made over $359 million at the box office. The success of both films helped launch the career of child star Macaulay Culkin.

‘Home Alone’ Is A Must-Watch Every Christmas Season For Many

For most Christmas lovers, the season isn’t complete until Home Alone has been watched at least once. It’s one of the biggest Christmas movies of all time and often ranks near the top of most “best holiday films” lists.

In the film, Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin, is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation for Christmas. Kevin initially embraces his newfound freedom. But soon he finds himself defending his home from burglars Harry and Marv, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, using a series of booby traps.

The film is essentially Wile E Coyote meets Christmas. Or a family-friendly version of Bruce Willis’ classic film Die Hard. All of that, plus John Williams’ iconic score, makes it unlike any other Christmas movie ever made.

There are 4 more films in the Home Alone franchise, but none involve any of the cast members or crew from the first two films. None of them quite capture the magic that the first two created, either.