Like Elf (2003) and A Christmas Story (1983), Home Alone (1990) is one of the few holiday movies that has managed to become a timeless Christmas classic. No matter how many years go by, it’s always revisited and celebrated around the holidays, especially as countless families have incorporated the movie into their Christmas traditions.
The original is still considered one of the best Christmas movies ever made, but it also spawned some festive and heartfelt spin-offs. Viewers can use our guide to learn where to find all the Home Alone movies in release date order on Disney+, Prime Video, and more.
Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone centers on Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), a young boy accidentally left behind by his family over the holidays, who must defend his home from criminals while enjoying his newfound freedom. The movie is a true classic, primarily due to Culkin’s performance and how he captured the heart and mischievousness of being a child.
Young audiences will be absorbed in the storyline, as there are few bigger dreams in childhood than being left home alone and given the freedom to do anything one pleases. Meanwhile, older audiences will enjoy the nostalgia for childhood and the sweet moments of family connection. If you’re a sucker for family-friendly Christmas classics like A Christmas Story and Miracle on 34th Street (1947), Home Alone is a must-see.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is the sequel to Home Alone, in which Kevin gets separated from his family during a family Christmas vacation to Florida and ends up navigating New York City alone. Fans of Home Alone will love Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, as it is the most similar film to the original and the last to feature most of the original cast.
The change of setting creates a little more awe for younger viewers and a heightened festive atmosphere. It is just as funny as the original, though it dials up the cartoon violence a bit. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York may not be as magical as the original, but it’s fun and entertaining, especially for fans of ‘80s or ‘90s movies centered on childhood mischief and adventure like The Goonies (1985) and Baby’s Day Out (1994).
Home Alone 3 (1997)
Home Alone 3 is the third movie in the Home Alone series and centers on a new protagonist. In the film, Alex (Alex D. Linz) comes into possession of a toy hiding a coveted computer chip, attracting the attention of a few high-profile criminals. Home Alone 3 has a very different vibe than its predecessors, as it is the first to feature a new cast and take place outside the holiday season.
Despite the changes, it still retains the overall spirit of the Home Alone franchise through its resourceful child protagonist foiling the plans of four criminals. It’s energetic, exciting, and boasts even more funny and outlandish ideas for thwarting burglars. Home Alone 3 is on par with The War with Grandpa (2020) and Dennis the Menace (1993) in that it’s a light, breezy, and funny watch that celebrates childhood and mischief, even if it doesn’t quite reach classic status.
Home Alone 4 (2002)
Home Alone 4 is a made-for-television movie, which features a recast McCallister family. The film centers on Kevin McCallister (Mike Weinberg), whose Christmas holiday with his recently divorced father is interrupted by the return of his old enemy, Marv (French Stewart).
Home Alone 4 returns to the McCallister family, but with so many changes, it’s hardly recognizable to fans. The film reuses many gags from previous films and features an even more outlandish and confusing plot. Still, it includes thoughtful traps and is silly and festive enough to appeal to children. It’s also reminiscent of Return to Oz (1985) and It Runs in the Family (1994) as a sequel to a classic that recasts most of the characters, which is a rare enough occurrence to potentially stir some curiosity.
Home Alone: The Holiday Heist (2012)
Home Alone: The Holiday Heist is another made-for-television movie. Like Home Alone 3, it moves away from the McCallisters, instead focusing on Finn Baxter (Christian Martyn) and his older sister Alexis (Jodelle Ferland), who must protect their home from thieves while their parents are at a Christmas party.
If you’re seeking something a little more refreshing in the Home Alone series, you may enjoy Home Alone: The Holiday Heist. Featuring a brother/sister team helps differentiate it from the other movies and offers some light, slapstick humor. Fans of lighthearted Christmas movies like ‘Twas the Night (2001) and The Naughty Nine (2023) will like Home Alone: The Holiday Heist.
Home Sweet Home Alone (2021)
Home Sweet Home Alone is a standalone sequel to Home Alone, which sees Max Mercer (Archie Yates) defend his home from criminals after his family leaves him behind when they leave for a holiday trip to Japan.
The movie features one original Home Alone character, as Devin Ratray reprises his role as a now-adult Buzz McCallister. Ratray’s inclusion is a nice nod to the original, while Home Sweet Home Alone as a whole feels more like a modern remake of Home Alone than a sequel. However, it boasts an even lighter tone than the original and features more wholesome characters. Viewers who enjoyed Home Alone and Home Alone 2 but disliked some of the cartoonish violence and morally grey characters will find Home Sweet Home Alone very family-friendly while still boasting the formula of the originals.
