Home Alone 4

Plot

Peter McCallister, finalizing a divorce from Kate, tells his children Buzz, Megan, and Kevin that he and his wealthy girlfriend Natalie Kalban are hosting a royal family at her mansion. He invites them for Christmas; after initial refusal, Kevin accepts after being bullied by Buzz and enjoys the mansion's luxuries. The next morning, Peter and Natalie leave, and Kevin spots his old nemesis Marv Murchins and his wife Vera scouting the house. Unable to get the servant Mr. Prescott's attention, Kevin drives the intruders away by flooding the mansion.

Peter and Natalie disbelieve his story, especially since Mr. Prescott claims to have seen nothing. Kevin discovers the security cameras were off, leading him to suspect Mr. Prescott's involvement. Later, as the mansion is prepared for a party, Kevin traps Mr. Prescott in the freezer, overhears Marv and Vera's plan to kidnap the prince for ransom, and forces them out a window. The royal family's flight is cancelled, so Peter and Natalie announce their engagement instead.

Marv and Vera return, and Kevin accidentally ruins the party by knocking over an ice sculpture containing the frozen Mr. Prescott. Peter sends Kevin to his room, accusing him of sabotaging his relationship with Natalie, who threatens to evict Kevin if he misbehaves again.

Reception

Home Alone 4 received generally negative reviews. Clint Morris of Moviehole gave it one out of five stars, citing cheap opening titles and murky production values. Joly Herman of Common Sense Media also rated it one out of five stars, calling the gags recycled and lacking the original's charm. Jerry Roberts of Armchair Media gave the film one out of four stars, and Sue Robinson of Radio Times gave it one out of five stars, questioning why the film was made.

Sequel

In the 2012 Christmas season, a new Home Alone movie aired on television. It follows ten-year-old Finn Baxter, played by Christian Martyn, who relocates from California to Maine and starts thinking his new place is haunted.

When his parents get stuck across town, Finn and his older sister Alexis are left alone. He builds traps meant for ghosts, but they end up catching a gang of thieves portrayed by Malcolm McDowell, Debi Mazar, and Eddie Steeples. Ed Asner also appears. Fox Television Studios produced it, with Peter Hewitt directing.

Did You Know?

• It is the last film Rod Daniel directed before his retirement and his death in 2016.
• The film was added to Disney+ on December 17, 2021.