Best Christmas movies set in each state
By Reed Gaudens
Illinois: Home Alone
Release Year: 1990
Directed By: Chris Columbus
Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Catherine O’Hara, Roberts Blossom, Angela Goethals, Devin Ratray, Gerry Bamman, John Candy
Although there are plenty of Christmas movies set in the state of Illinois (including A Bad Moms Christmas and Christmas with the Kranks, among others), there’s only one tried and true classic that could represent the state: Home Alone. The 1990 John Hughes-penned all-time great has more than stood the test of time and has enjoyed annual resurgences in pop culture popularity. Of course, Home Alone stars Macaulay Culkin as scrappy youngster Kevin McCallister, who’s left behind when his family rushes to the airport to catch their plane to Paris for Christmas.
While home on his own during the holiday season, Kevin faces off against the notorious burglar duo The Wet Bandits (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern). From paint cans to the face to searing hot doorknobs, Kevin works to keep his house safe until his family returns from their botched vacation. Home Alone somehow earned middling reviews from critics, with its 65% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but its fandom solidified the hit as a Christmas classic. On top of spawning four sequels, Disney+ will launch its remake in 2021 and will feature a special appearance by a certain Chicago kid with a penchant for taking down burglars.