‘Home Alone’ Should Stay Classic, Director Says: Calls Reboot a “Mistake”

Chris Columbus is making it clear that the classic Christmas comedy Home Alone should not be remade. In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Columbus said a reboot would be a huge mistake.

“I think ‘Home Alone’ really exists as, not at this timepiece, but it was this very special moment, and you can’t really recapture that,” Columbus explained. “I think it’s a mistake to try to go back and recapture something we did 35 years ago. I think it should be left alone.”

The original Home Alone, released in 1990, starred Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who is accidentally left home alone while his family goes on Christmas vacation. Kevin must protect his house from two bumbling robbers, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. The movie became an instant hit, earning $476 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing movie of that year.

Columbus also directed the 1992 sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, which made $359 million worldwide. The sequels solidified Culkin’s status as a child star. Speaking recently on Hot Ones, Culkin reflected on the sequel and why he prefers it in some ways.

“I got paid more. I think I own 5% of the net,” Culkin said. “And also 15% of the merchandising. So, if you buy a Talkboy I’m like yeah, I’ll take 15% of that. Thank you very much. By the way, buy a Talkboy this Christmas.”

In 2021, Disney attempted a reboot with the Disney+ movie Home Sweet Home Alone. The film starred Archie Yates, known for Jojo Rabbit, as the clever kid left behind while his family travels to Japan. Ellie Kemper, Rob Delaney, and Kenan Thompson also starred, with Dan Mazer directing. The movie closely followed the original plot but failed to impress critics or audiences.

Columbus’ warning seems backed up by the reception of the Disney+ reboot. Fans still remember the original fondly, proving that some classics, like Home Alone, are best left untouched.

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