12 Days of Christmas Movies: 'Home Alone'

by Tyler Glover
It’s the most wonderful time of the year where we all gather as families (though, unless they’re already in your bubble we don’t recommend that this year), decorate the house and tree with Christmas lights and ornaments and sit down in front of our television screens with a nice hot cup of cocoa to watch some of our many favorite Christmas movies. This year The Word is celebrating 12 Days of Christmas Movies with our favorites to watch around the happiest time of the year. I hope you enjoy these as much as we do and if you haven’t seen them be sure to seek them out. 

Photo courtesy: 20th Century Fox/Disney

"Home Alone," directed by Chris Columbus and written by John Hughes, is one of the Christmas movies that is a must-watch every holiday season. Christmas is a magical time of the year that can also be chaotic, busy and hectic. However, it is also a time to truly sit back and reflect on what is important in life. Sometimes, we can forget if we are not careful. This is exactly what happens to eight-year-old Kevin McCallister. The night before his family is to travel to Paris for the holidays, Kevin, played by Macauley Culkin, gets upset over many trivial things. Out of his anger, he tells his mother he would be fine if he woke up the next day without a family. He ends up getting his wish when after a series of unfortunate events, the family accidentally leaves Kevin home alone. Kevin is getting a chance to see what his life would be like without them. While he is happy at first with his newfound freedom, Kevin eventually misses his family and remembers just how truly important they are to him. This message the film portrays so perfectly is what Christmas truly is about. The film also adds in a story with Kevin outsmarting two thieves, hilariously played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, who attempt to rob his house. The traps he sets for them are some of the funniest moments in motion picture history. The bad guys get hit with paint cans, step on nails, and get hit with irons that fall down laundry chutes, among many others. This film is truly fun for the whole family! With many laughs and a message that truly highlights the spirit of Christmas, "Home Alone" has become a holiday classic that is essential holiday viewing for millions of families.

“Home Alone” is streaming on Disney+ or you can rent it on Amazon Prime Video for $3.99.