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Home Alone
Home Alone Image
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Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 77 Ratings

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  • Starring: , ,
  • Summary: Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister has become the man of the house, overnight! Accidentally left behind when his family rushes off on a Christmas vacation, Kevin gets busy decorating the house for the holidays. But he's not decking the halls with tinsel and holly. Two bumbling burglars are trying to break in, and Kevin's rigging a bewildering battery of booby traps to welcome them! (20th Century Fox Corp.)
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Cartyn James
    80
    Kevin has the potential to be the mawkish child or the obnoxious little adult so common on screen, but he is neither. Played with great glee by Macaulay Culkin, he is a totally endearing, up-to-the-minute little boy.
  2. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Jeanne Cooper
    80
    This holiday contender from John Hughes is too crass, too loud and too violent to be added blithely to Christmas viewing traditions. But it is funny.
  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hal Hinson
    70
    The movie has a big payoff; it's the setup that's the drag. But Kevin's antics will touch the budding subversive in every kid. My advice? Hide the car keys.
  4. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Noel Murray
    67
    Even though Macaulay Culkin's alternately muggy and inexpressive lead performance hasn't worn well, the supporting turns by Catherine O'Hara and John Candy are especially crackerjack, as is John Williams' buoyantly cartoony score.
  5. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    63
    All plausibility is gone, we sit back, detached, to watch stunt men and special effects guys take over a movie that promised to be the kind of story audiences could identify with.
  6. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    63
    The first half of Home Alone features the sugar-coated sentimentality that can usually be found in a Hughes film, while the second half is full of unanticipated sadism.
  7. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Rosenbaum
    50
    The movie is quite enjoyable as long as it explores the fantasy of a neglected little boy having an entire house of his own to explore and play in, but the physical cruelty that dominates the last act leaves a sour taste, and the multiple continuity errors strain one's suspension of disbelief to near the breaking point.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. SEROJ
    Mar 19, 2013
    10
    Every year there's a tradition me and my family keep. On December or January we watch this all-time classic! It's amazing,interesting and funny and i can't give it less than 10/10!… Expand
  2. LeoTs3181983
    Sep 5, 2010
    10
    Home Alone is a great movie. There is a little cussing,however. It's not all that bad after all. There are some pretty funny,weird scenes too. Don't miss it.… Expand
  3. BrianMcCritic
    Jul 9, 2013
    9
    Home Alone and Home Alone 2 are two of my favorite Christmas films. This is my favorite of the two, but not by much. This film is just so much fun and can be watched over and over again.… Expand
  4. cameronmorewood
    Nov 12, 2012
    8
    One of the greatest family slapsticks ever made, Home Alone delivers the goods at a great pace, finding an endless array of situational gold as well as some hilariously delivered dialogue that's sure to please audiences of all ages.… Expand
  5. grandpajoe6191
    Oct 9, 2011
    7
    With "Home Alone", director Chris Columbus gives a great Christmas entertainment as well as funny, pure performances.
  6. Rikiege
    Jan 12, 2013
    7
    It is totally fun and original.
  7. heyitsmegrif4
    Jul 22, 2012
    0
    I am sorry is this supposed to be funny? Is this supposed to be original? Because I found myself guessing every single part of this movie which made me bored. Sorry Chris Columbus you were great with Harry Potter but not Home Alone. I give this movie 5%.… Expand

See all 19 User Reviews

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