Home Alone (1990)

Home Alone (1990) is a beloved Christmas comedy directed by Chris Columbus and written by John Hughes, which has become a holiday classic. The film stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation for Christmas. What ensues is a mix of heartwarming and hilarious moments as Kevin defends his home from two bumbling burglars, all while learning about independence and the importance of family.
The McCallister family is preparing for a Christmas trip to Paris. Amid the chaos of packing, young Kevin, feeling neglected by his family, wishes they would all disappear. That night, a power outage resets the alarm clocks, and the family oversleeps. In the rush to catch their flight, they accidentally leave Kevin behind.
Kevin wakes up to find the house empty and, believing his wish came true, revels in his newfound freedom. He enjoys having the house to himself, eating junk food, watching scary movies, and doing whatever he pleases. However, things take a turn when Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), a pair of inept burglars known as the “Wet Bandits,” set their sights on the McCallister home, unaware that Kevin is still inside.
Determined to protect his house, Kevin sets up a series of elaborate and painful traps for the burglars. From slipping on ice to stepping on nails and getting hit by paint cans, Harry and Marv are subjected to a variety of hilarious misfortunes, making the attempted robbery a comedic disaster for them.
Meanwhile, Kevin’s mother Kate McCallister (Catherine O’Hara) realizes mid-flight that Kevin was left behind. She desperately tries to return home, encountering numerous obstacles along the way, while the rest of the family remains in Paris. With the help of a traveling polka band led by Gus Polinski (John Candy), Kate eventually makes it back home just in time for Christmas.
By the film’s end, Kevin successfully fends off the burglars, and the police apprehend Harry and Marv. Reunited with his family, Kevin learns the importance of family togetherness, and the film concludes with a heartwarming message of love and reconciliation.