I do not know about you, but all I want for Christmas is a cosy blanket, a glass of wine, anxiety-free holidays and a Home Alone binge session. Certain timeless Christmas classics shall be on top of our streaming lists every year. While lovebirds can stream sappy films like Love Actually, a film like Home Alone will make anyone feel fulfilled while ushering in a feeling of warmth and nostalgia.
Written by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus, Home Alone stars a young and adorable Macaulay Culkin who plays the eight-year-old Kevin McCallister who is tired of his siblings’ incessant taunts and wishes to get rid of his obnoxious family. Due to a common misunderstanding, his family goes off to Paris, leaving him alone. Very soon, Kevin’s quietude is disrupted by a pair of burglars as they embark on an intense and hilarious cat-and-mouse chase.
Culkin who gained immense popularity following his incredible performance was well known for his roles in films like Dollface, Richie Rich etc. The young actor had received a Golden Globe nomination. His mother had been portrayed by the legendary Catherine O’Hara, while iconic actors such as Joe Pesci and Daniel Sterne play the roles of robbers Harry and Marv.
Home Alone is every child’s dream and every parent’s nightmare. Adding a hint of Christmas cheer, naughtiness and guffaw-inducing antics to a theme as serious as home invasion, Home Alone, with its splendid cast and wonderful memories, are among our top Christmas favourites, besides ugly sweaters, candy canes, jingle bells and secret Santa.
“Would you please tell him that instead of presents this year, I just want my family back?”
How many Home Alone films are there in the franchise?
The Home Alone franchise has five released films while the sixth one is yet to be announced. The first film Home Alone, released in 1990, was about Kevin trying to fend off the burglars who try to burgle his house but end up getting arrested by the police in the end. Following the success of the first film, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York was released in 1992 where Kevin accidentally boarded a plane to New York and encountered the same burglars.
Later, in 1997, Home Alone 3 was released featuring Macaulay Culkin replacement Alex Pruitt, a chickenpox-ridden boy, who tries to fight off home invaders. The fourth film, suffering a major downturn from the early success in the franchise, was not released theatrically. In 2002, Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House followed Kevin’s adventures with his sinister girlfriend Natalie while dealing with his parent’s divorce.
Not content with milking the franchise, the fifth film was released in 2012 on ABC Family as well; Home Alone: The Holiday Heist revolves around Finn Baxter who thinks their house is haunted. Determined to catch the ghosts, he creates problems for three burglars who try to rob the house.
The sixth instalment is said to feature Macaulay Culkin’s return which caused a huge buzz. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the shooting schedule has been postponed for an unprecedented time period.
Is Home Alone streaming on Netflix?
Unfortunately, Home Alone is not streaming on Netflix (except Netflix South Korea). However, if you are hung up on the Christmas classic and refuse to chug eggnog without having watched the antics of the young McCallister, fret not.
You could appease your thirst by watching the first season of the new documentary on Netflix, The Movies That Made Us that feature exclusive footage and interviews from the film sets.
Why isn’t Home Alone on Netflix?
There was a buzz around Hole Alone being sold to the highest bidder which included streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon prime, Disney+ Hotstar and more.
However, Disney acquired 20th Century Fox on March 20, 2019, which officially took Home Alone off the bidding market and gave Disney+ the streaming rights to the film.
What country is Home Alone streaming on Netflix?
Disney has acquired the distribution company 20th century Fox which makes Home Alone unavailable on Netflix US, Canada, UK, Australia. However, Netflix South Korea has been lucky enough to retain streaming rights to the film still.
Although the franchise was available on Netflix Hong kong, they have been removed at the end of last month (November 2020). The third instalment of the franchise will be streaming on Netflix Germany and Switzerland. However, Home Alone 3 does not revolve around the adorable Kevin McCallister but on a young Alex Pruitt who is under the weather with a case of chickenpox and despite his medical condition must outdo the burglars trying to invade his house.
Where can I stream Home Alone?
Although Disney+ acquired rights to the film since November 2019, they had temporarily removed it from the platform in January 2020.
However, it was added once again, this year, and is available for streaming on Disney+. Disney+ is available at a standard rate of £5.99 per month or an annual fee of £59.99. One may also rent this classic on Google Play, Amazon Prime Video and Sky Store.
