How to watch Home Alone movie in order: Chronological watch guide
Home Alone is one of the popular series of American Christmas comedy films and is recognized for its funny approach to family and holiday follies. It debuted in 1990 and was created by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus.
Following the success of the first movie, the franchise expanded to include multiple sequels, with varying storylines that revolve around kids left to defend their homes from burglars using creative, often slapstick traps.
The series follows various young protagonists, primarily Kevin McCallister, portrayed by Macaulay Culkin in the first two films, as he foils the antics of inept criminals with homemade traps. The films are popular across generations, with the sequels introducing new characters and variations on the original plot.
Chronological order of Home Alone movies
Here’s how you can watch thesemovies in chronological order:
#1 Home Alone
The story of eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), who's unintentionally left behind when his family goes on vacation to France, as told in John Hughes' novel. He hopes his family would disappear, but when he awakens, they have gone, leaving him alone in this 1990 movie.
Kevin must defend his home against two determined robbers, Harry and Marv (played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern). Kevin outwits the robbers through a sequence of amusing and chaotic occurrences, employing clever homemade traps. Available on Amazon Prime Video, the film is primarily on growing up and family.
#2 Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Kevin once more separates from his family in the first sequel released in 1992, taking the incorrect plane and finding himself alone in New York City. He checks into the Plaza Hotel using his father's credit card, but his trip veers off when he runs upon Harry and Marv once more.
Kevin puts creative traps all around an abandoned property to deter the two from planning a significant theft at a nearby toy store. Though it broadens Kevin's universe to a more metropolitan environment, the movie, available on Amazon Prime Video, keeps loyal to the charm and humor of the original.
#3 Home Alone 3
Alex D. Linz plays Alex Pruitt, the new protagonist of this film released in 1997. This time the story revolves around a toy vehicle with a microchip sought after by a group of foreign crooks.
Alex detects odd activities in his neighborhood when left alone at home with chickenpox and decides to stop the high-stakes criminals. Turning away from the McCallister family, the movie, available on Amazon Prime Video, drew mixed reviews but kept the trademark comedy of the series.
#4 Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House
This movie, released in 2002, brings Kevin McCallister back in this made-for-television movie, although Mike Weinberg plays him instead of the original actor. Kevin is followed throughout the narrative as he spends Christmas at the house of his father's new girlfriend. Marv (now French Stewart) returns to plunder the house accompanied by Vera, a new companion.
Available on Disney+, this movie tries to reconnect with themes from the previous movie despite changes in cast and story direction, but it veers greatly, emphasizing Kevin's attempt to deal with his parent's divorce.
#5 Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
Turning now to a fresh plot, this 2012 movie revolves around the Baxter family — who recently relocated to a Maine property. Believing the house is haunted, the protagonist, Finn Baxter (Christian Martyn), sets traps to capture a claimed spirit.
However, he soon needs to defend his house against real invaders, a gang of art thieves, using his traps. Available on Amazon Prime Video, this film keeps the light-hearted aspects of kid-vs-criminals. This defines the series even though it has little direct bearing on the McCallister storyline.
#6 Home Sweet Home Alone
The protagonist of this latest movie, available on Disney+, is Max Mercer (Archie Yates). Max is left to guard his property from a couple who incorrectly think that he has taken a priceless doll after his family leaves him behind on a holiday trip to Japan.
Unlike other films, the antagonists — a couple struggling financially — aren't hardened criminals, therefore bringing a complex twist to the conventional storyline. Among the various references to the original in this 2021 movie is an appearance by Kevin's older brother Buzz McCallister.
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