10 Ways That Home Alone Has Aged Surprisingly Well

When people think of the Christmas movies that they absolutely must re-watch, Home Alone is often on the top of that list. The charming and funny story of how Kevin McAllister’s family leaves for Paris without him and how Kevin goes up against two criminals is timeless and classic. But while there are parts of Home Alone that stand out and not in a good way, like how Kevin’s parents could truly forget about him, there are other aspects of the popular holiday movie that still work really well.

From the overall theme of the movie to the lessons that Kevin and his family learn along the way, there are many reasons why fans still consider Home Alone to be a meaningful and nostalgic film.

10 It’s Still A Perfect Christmas Story

Fans love many cheesy holiday movies and then there are the classics that people remember from their childhood. Home Alone definitely fits into the latter category, mostly because there are so many elements that put people into the holiday spirit.

From the beautiful lights outside the McAllister house to Kevin’s excitement over having uninterrupted time to play with his favorite toys, Home Alone tells a story about the magic and fun of being a kid at Christmas, and that still rings true today.

9 Kevin’s Isolation And Frustration Are Understandable

Right away, audiences feel badly for Kevin, whose family seems to ignore him even before they head to the airport without him. His relatives think that he’s silly and immature and they act like he’s a nuisance for the first part of the movie.

It makes sense that Kevin would feel so insecure about the way that his siblings and extended family are treating him, and this is relatable and understandable. This is a timeless theme for anyone who has had a tough time with family over the holiday season.

8 The Idea That The Best Laid Plans Don’t Always Work Out

While some parts of Home Alone are confusing, one part of the plot holds up: the fact that Kevin’s family sets their alarms so they can wake up early and get to the airport on time… but that doesn’t work out.

When their alarms don’t go off, the family sleeps in and then rushes around, coming very close to missing their flight altogether. Many people have overslept by accident or had other travel delays or stressors that have come out of nowhere.

7 The Old Man Marley Subplot Is Heartwarming

Many kids are afraid of something that they don’t need to be, like that house on the block that they joke is haunted but is really just old. In Home Alone, Kevin is nervous about being around Old Man Marley, but he quickly realizes that he’s being silly and that Marley is a sweet person who carries around a lot of pain.

Kevin encourages Marley to talk to his son again so he can have a relationship with his grandchild as well, which allows Kevin to see that everyone has struggles, especially when it comes to family.

6 Kevin’s Junk Food Consumption Is Charming

From the moment that Kevin realizes that he’s by himself, he goes pretty wild eating junk food. He totally embraces the fact that his parents can’t tell him not to eat tons of ice cream, and he even sits down to a nice dinner of mac and cheese.

While the fact that Kevin’s parents don’t realize that they have left him on his own is a problem, it’s definitely true that many kids would love to eat the way that Kevin does for several days.

5 The Stress And Chaos Of Holiday Travel

From busy airports and lines everywhere, not to mention delayed or cancelled flights due to bad weather, traveling during the winter holidays can be super stressful. It doesn’t help that this is a popular time to travel since everyone is visiting family and friends.

When Kate tries to get home to Kevin, she experiences the overwhelming chaos of Christmas travel, and this is a part of the movie that has aged really well. While people have cell phones now, that doesn’t stop how tough it can be to get somewhere around December 25th.

4 Kate Learns The Kindness Of Strangers

Gus Polinski has a polka band and gives Kevin’s mom a ride, becoming one of the most likable Home Alone characters.

This interaction allows Kate to learn that strangers can be kind and helpful, and it’s memorable watching these two characters connect. While audiences are used to seeing these types of moments in holiday movies, the scenes between Gus and Kate add something special to the movie and still work today.

3 It’s Relatable That Kevin Doesn’t Fit In

Kevin is so thrilled to be on his own because he can’t stand spending time with his parents and siblings who don’t seem to understand him. Many people feel the way that Kevin does: that no matter how much they love their family, they don’t always feel like they fit in with them.

Anyone who has struggled in their relationship with a sibling most likely cheers for Kevin when, at the end of Home Alone, Buzz realizes that his bedroom has been completely destroyed.

2 Kevin’s Parents Realize They Need To Appreciate Him More

Kevin’s parents Kate and Peter are some of the smartest Home Alone characters. After realizing that they have messed up, they understand the gravity of what’s going on and do their best to get home quickly.

Kate and Peter realize that they took Kevin for granted and that they have a wonderful, special kid who deserves their time and attention. This lesson is a meaningful one and it’s sweet to see Kate and Kevin connect at the end of the movie.

1 Kevin Learns The Meaning Of Family

While at first, Kevin would rather do anything except spend time with his family, he changes his tune when he begins to feel lonely and scared at being home alone and fighting off the Wet Bandits.

Home Alone may focus on Kevin’s schemes but it also shares the heartwarming (and cheesy) message that families may struggle and have ups and downs but they can overcome anything if they’re honest about how they feel.

About The Author

Aya Tsintziras
(1742 Articles Published)

Aya Tsintziras is a freelance writer who writes about pop culture and TV. She has a Political Science degree from the University of Toronto and a Masters of Journalism from Ryerson University. She loves coffee, reading, working out, and watching TV. She lives in Toronto with her husband.

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