Holidays

Home Alone

Holidays
Home Alone
Rate this topic

Did you know? The iconic poster of Kevin screaming with his hands on his face was inspired by the famous expressionist painting The Scream by Edvard Munch. elaborate

Fact 1 of 24

24 facts about Home Alone

  1. 1
    In the movie, Kevin watches a film called Angels with Filthy Souls, but that movie does not actually exist; it was created specifically for Home Alone to look like a 1940s gangster film.
  2. 2
    The film poster features Kevin screaming with his hands on his cheeks, a pose inspired by the famous Edvard Munch painting The Scream.
  3. 3
    Fans often think the scene of the family running through the airport was filmed in a real terminal, but it was actually shot in a converted convention center.
  4. 4
    Because Macaulay Culkin was a minor, he could only film for a limited number of hours per day, which forced the crew to shoot scenes very quickly.
  5. 5
    The glass ornaments that the burglars walk on were actually made out of sugar, which meant they were edible as well as breakable.
  6. 6
    A doctor who watched the film determined that the paint cans swinging into the faces of the burglars would have resulted in severe skull fractures and neck injuries.
  7. 7
    The tarantula on Daniel Stern's face was a real spider, and the actor had to scream in silence so he wouldn't scare it into biting him.
  8. 8
    Joe Pesci, known for playing tough guys, purposely avoided Macaulay Culkin on set so the young actor would be genuinely afraid of him during filming.
  9. 9
    Many people incorrectly believe that the movie features a real film called Angels with Filthy Souls, but it was created entirely for the production.
  10. 10
    John Hughes wrote the entire script for Home Alone in just over a week while on a vacation.
  11. 11
    The movie's iconic poster, featuring Kevin screaming with his hands on his face, was inspired by the famous painting The Scream by Edvard Munch.
  12. 12
    Director Chris Columbus chose the house because he wanted it to look both beautiful and menacing at the same time.
  13. 13
    Some viewers believe the 'Angels with Filthy Souls' footage is a real 1940s gangster film, but it is actually a parody filmed in only one day.
  14. 14
    A doctor analyzed the booby traps years later and concluded that the injuries sustained by the burglars would have been fatal in real life.
  15. 15
    Joe Pesci accidentally bit Macaulay Culkin during rehearsals, leaving a permanent small scar on the young actor's finger.
  16. 16
    Macaulay Culkin's real-life brother, Kieran Culkin, played his cousin Fuller in the film.
  17. 17
    People often believe the movie was filmed in a real mansion during the holidays, but most of it was shot in the spring and summer using artificial snow made from wax and plastic.
  18. 18
    To create the sound of the burning doorknob, the sound team recorded the sound of a branding iron touching a piece of raw steak.
  19. 19
    The house used for the exterior shots is located in Winnetka, Illinois, and it sold for over 1.5 million dollars in 2012.
  20. 20
    Macaulay Culkin drew his own map of the house's booby traps, which was used as a prop in the film.
  21. 21
    Daniel Stern had to wear rubber feet during the scenes where he walks barefoot because the producers wanted to keep him safe from the props.
  22. 22
    The fake movie Kevin watches, Angels with Filthy Souls, is not a real old film but was created specifically for Home Alone, including the creation of a grainy black and white aesthetic to make it look authentic.
  23. 23
    During the filming of the movie, Joe Pesci often avoided Macaulay Culkin on set because he wanted the young actor to be genuinely intimidated by him during their scenes together.
  24. 24
    The iconic poster of Kevin screaming with his hands on his face was inspired by the famous expressionist painting The Scream by Edvard Munch.
Keep exploring

More in Holidays

Christmas Movies
Rate this topic
Holidays
Christmas Movies

The movie A Christmas Story is set in the 1940s, but it was not filmed in Indiana; the house used for the exterior shots is actually located in Cleveland, Ohio, and is now a museum. elaborate

Mistletoe
Rate this topic
Holidays
Mistletoe

Mistletoe is actually a partial parasite that steals water and minerals from trees, meaning the plant we kiss under is technically a bit of a freeloader. elaborate

New Year's Traditions Around the World
Rate this topic
Holidays
New Year's Traditions Around the World

In Denmark, it is a tradition to jump off chairs at the stroke of midnight to literally leap into the new year and bring good luck. elaborate

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Rate this topic
Holidays
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

The film was written by John Hughes and is based on his own short story Christmas '59, which was published in National Lampoon magazine. elaborate

Hanukkah
Rate this topic
Holidays
Hanukkah

Many people believe that Hanukkah is the most important holiday in Judaism, but it is actually considered a minor festival compared to holidays like Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur. elaborate

Times Square Ball Drop
Rate this topic
Holidays
Times Square Ball Drop

During World War II, the ball drop was suspended for two years in 1942 and 1943 due to wartime dimout regulations, so revelers observed a minute of silence instead. elaborate