It’s really hard to grasp exactly how big a phenomenon the original Home Alone was. It wasn’t just a box office smash. It was the number one movie in the US for 12—twelve!—weeks. And, despite being a Christmas movie, it stayed in theaters for nine months. The record-setting comedy was huge in a way modern releases will probably never be again. But Disney+ is hoping to at least capture some of that magic. It’s returning to the franchise with an all-new installment of a kid’s ultimate fantasy come true. And the first trailer for Home Sweet Home Alone shows the streaming site doesn’t think the original film needs to be tinkered with in any way. It just needs some English accents.
Fun trailer with a great cast. But this is basically the original Home Alone, only Kevin is now a British boy named Max, and his family heads off to a different locale. Even the official synopsis sounds like it used Home Alone‘s logline but changed some proper nouns. From Disney+:
“Max Mercer is a mischievous and resourceful young boy who has been left behind while his family is in Japan for the holidays. So when a married couple attempting to retrieve a priceless heirloom set their sights on the Mercer family’s home, it is up to Max to protect it from the trespassers…and he will do whatever it takes to keep them out. Hilarious hijinks of epic proportions ensue, but despite the absolute chaos, Max comes to realize that there really is no place like home sweet home.”
Disney
Despite looking like a pure remake (which Disney calls a “re-imagining”), this should still be a good watch. The premise is timeless. And we love Ellie Kemper and Rob Delaney as this movie’s answer to the Wet Bandits. As we do Archie Yates who stars as Max. He was wonderful in Jojo Rabbit. And they’re joined by Aisling Bea, Kenan Thompson, Tim Simons, Pete Holmes, Devin Ratray, Ally Maki, and Chris Parnell.
Will this film be anywhere as successful as the original Home Alone? Of course not. Few movies ever will be. But seeing some bad guys get their comeuppance as a kid lives out every child’s fantasy will always work. There’s a reason you would never tamper with the original Home Alone. Minus the accents that is.
Directed by Dan Mazer, Home Sweet Home Alone premieres on Disney+ November 12.
