It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, but the holiday season hasn’t truly begun until you’ve watched “Home Alone,” the iconic film series that launched Macaulay Culkin to superstardom.
“Home Alone” has inspired several mischievous spinoffs over the years, but diehard fans are pretty partial to the original two films, two of which star Culkin as Kevin McCallister.
Whether you’re watching them for the first or 100th time, the holiday season is a great time to grab a lovely cheese pizza and say, “Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals.”
Here’s how to watch “Home Alone” in 2024.
How to watch ‘Home Alone’ (1990)
Synopsis: As the youngest of five children, Kevin McCallister knows all about feeling misunderstood. While getting ready for a family vacation to Paris, the 8-year-old’s frustrations come to a boiling point and he wishes that his family would disappear. The next morning, his parents forget him at home while they’re rushing out the door with the rest of their crew.
When he realizes he was left home alone, Kevin does what any kid his age would — eats junk and watches rubbish — and he faces some of his biggest fears, like his scary basement. Then he’s forced to defend his castle when a pair of burglars, called the Wet Bandits, set their sights on his home. With little time to prepare, Kevin gets to work laying out a maze of traps for the crooks and serves up plenty of laughs along the way.
Where to watch it: “Home Alone” is currently streaming on Disney+ and Sling TV (premium subscription). For those looking to rent or buy the film, it’s available on Amazon Prime, Fandango at Home, Google Play and YouTube.
How to watch ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’ (1992)
Synopsis: After defeating the Wet Bandits and reuniting with his family on Christmas last year, Kevin is looking forward to a less hectic holiday this year. When his family decides to travel to Florida, Kevin is worried he won’t see any Christmas trees, but he goes along for the ride.
In the hectic airport, Kevin gets separated from his family and ends up on a flight to New York City while the rest of the McCallisters land in sunny Florida. While he’s in the Big Apple, Kevin books himself a giant hotel suite, heads to the biggest toy store around and eats the finest delicacies the big city has to offer (a.k.a. pizza).
Unfortunately, he runs into his old foes, who just broke out of jail and reinvented themselves as the Sticky Bandits. Another battle ensues while Kevin is forced to think outside of the box now that he’s not on his home turf anymore.
Where to watch it: “Home Alone 2” is currently streaming on Disney+ and Sling TV (premium subscription) and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Fandango at Home and Google Play.
How to watch ‘Home Alone 3’ (1997)
Synopsis: Sure, it’s the first “Home Alone” film without Culkin in it, but “Home Alone 3” is a classic all the same. Alex D. Linz stars as Alex Pruitt, an 8-year-old who’s forced to fend off international criminals while he’s home alone with the chicken pox.
After hiding a military computer chip in a toy car, four spies misplace the coveted item in an airport baggage kerfuffle. It ends up in the hands of Alex, whose house comes under siege when the crooks attempt to take it back. Much like Kevin, Alex knows how to defend his home and gives the criminals a run for their money.
Where to watch it: “Home Alone 3” is currently streaming on Disney+ and Sling TV (premium subscription). It’s also available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime, AppleTV, Fandango at Home, Google Play and YouTube.
How to watch ‘Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House’ (2002)
Synopsis: Nine-year-old Kevin (Michael Weinberg) isn’t thrilled to spend Christmas with his dad at his new girlfriend Natalie’s (Joanna Going) home, but he sure enjoys all the cool tech gadgets she has in her smart house.
Kevin puts all those cool gizmos to the test when his enemy Marv (French Stewart) attempts to break in to Natalie’s home and takes the burglar on a wild ride.
Where to watch it: “Home Alone: Taking Back the House” is currently streaming on Disney+ and is available to rent or buy on AppleTV, Fandango At Home, Google Play and YouTube.
How to watch ‘Home Alone: The Holiday Heist’ (2012)
Synopsis: Unlike the other “Home Alone” films, this version features two kids who are home alone when they encounter several burglars.
Ten-year-old Finn thinks his new house is haunted and creates a ghost trap. He gets more than he bargained for when three criminals try to break into the home to steal a painting while he’s alone with his sister. Luckily, Finn has quite a few tricks up his sleeves and is ready with plenty of booby traps.
Where to watch it: “Home Alone: The Holiday Heist” is currently streaming on Disney+. It’s also available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime, AppleTV, Fandango At Home, Google Play and YouTube.
How to watch ‘Home Sweet Home Alone’ (2021)
Synopsis: The most recent installment in the “Home Alone” franchise is “Home Sweet Home Alone,” which debuted on Disney+ in 2021. Archie Yates plays Max, a young boy whose family accidentally leaves him at home while they’re traveling to Tokyo for the holidays.
When two burglars (played by Rob Delaney and Ellie Kemper) attempt to rob his home, Max gets creative and devises a plan to defend his territory. Devin Ratray, who played Kevin’s brother Buzz in the original “Home Alone,” makes an appearance in the film, and plays a local police officer.
Where to watch it: “Home Sweet Home Alone” is currently streaming exclusively on Disney+.