Where was Home Alone filmed?
1990
City Locations
Chicago, Winnetka, Wilmette (IL), and Oak Park (CA) (USA)
Location Types
Home, Church, Airport
Location Styles
Georgian, Gothic, Cape Cod
About Home Alone
Chris Columbus' ever-enduring family comedy, Home Alone (1990), features Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, a young boy who is inadvertently left behind when his parents and siblings travel to France. In the movie, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern appear as two incompetent burglars attempting to trespass on the unsuspecting McCallisters' house. With its classic charm, this film has become a must-watch masterpiece for all ages since its release.
Kevin is an imaginative and clever young boy whose family accidentally leaves him alone for the holidays in their suburban Chicago neighborhood. He soon discovers that two bumbling burglars, Harry ( Pesci), and Marv (Stern), are attempting to rob every house on his block! Although it reaches a climatic climax at its conclusion, this heartfelt tale's charm and comedic timing captivated audiences worldwide upon its release, making it one of the most successful films ever.
The film received two Academy Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination. Amongst its list of accolades, the movie won a Kid’s Choice and Young Artist Award.
Home Alone Locations
The Home Alone production crew filmed across various locations in and around the Chicagoland area. Production took place from February to May of 1990 at various locations across Illinois. Home Alone had its theatrical debut in Chicago on November 10, 1990, and was released nationwide in the United States 6 days later on November 16th.
The movie’s most memorable scenes were filmed in the suburban neighborhood of Winnetka, Illinois, a charming town with lush green lawns and large homes that make for an ideal backdrop for the film.
Other shooting locations included Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Evanston, Illinois, and neighboring villages like Winnetka, Wilmette (IL), and Oak Park (CA). The backdrop of these diverse regions provides the film with a wide range of settings, from cozy suburbs to busy airport terminals.
For the film’s superfans who want to do more than just sit through a marathon of the four classic holiday movies, embarking on a Home Alone filming location tour is a worthwhile endeavor. The trip promises to take you on a journey to view the McCallister house up close or explore the diverse architecture found throughout downtown Chicago.
Fun Fact:
Audiences loved the film so much that it stayed in theaters past the Christmas season. For 12 consecutive weeks, from November 1990 until February 1991, the Christmas favorite took up the top spot at the box office week after week!
McCallister house scenes in Home Alone
671 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, Illinois 60093, USA
The McCallisters household wakes up late, on the day when they are scheduled to fly out for their trip to France. In a frenzy, the family hurriedly packs up, and in the rush to make it for their flight, Kevin is left alone at home.
In the days that follow, Kevin takes on two burglars who are trying to break into his home. The movie features remarkable indoor scenes, such as when Kevin sets up booby traps throughout his home, leading to some wildly hilarious results.
This memorable sequence was filmed at a private residence in Winnetka, Illinois, 15 miles north of downtown Chicago. The house, at 671 Lincoln Avenue, was an ideal backdrop for this movie, thanks to its suburban exterior and old-school interior design, complete with chandeliers, winding staircases, and high ceilings.
To get to this location from nearby Chicago, take the Metra Commuter line from Ogilvie Transportation Center or any other nearby station. Once in Winnetka, walk or drive down Lincoln Avenue until you reach 671 Lincoln Avenue, the same street address featured in the famous movie!
McCallister family at the airport scene in Home Alone
10000 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60666, USA
The airport scene is a memorable moment from the classic Christmas movie. It depicts the McCallister family frantically running through the airport to catch their Paris flight. The chaos and energy of their dash to the gate capture an everyday experience many viewers can relate to.
The Home Alone scene was filmed at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, the fourth busiest in the world. When this classic holiday movie came out in 1990, O’Hare underwent significant renovations, including new artwork and sculptures commissioned for the concourses, and they are visible in the background as the family runs through the airport.
One of these sculptures is the “SkyWhale” by British sculptor Kenneth Snelson. It features several whales flying through clouds at various angles. Another interesting fact is that the family’s journey starts at the renowned O’Hare International Airport, and their destination of ‘Paris?’ Miraculously enough, it turns out also to be, you guessed it, O'Hare!
Getting to O’Hare International Airport is easy as multiple public transportation options are available, including bus, train, and taxi services. By car, driving to O’Hare takes about 45 minutes depending on traffic conditions, with access provided by Chicagoland highways such as I-90 (Northwest Tollway), I-94 (Dan Ryan Expressway), and I-294 (Tri-State Tollway).
Kevin steals a toothbrush scene in Home Alone
1073 Gage St, Winnetka, IL 60093, USA
The scene where Kevin goes shopping for a toothbrush was filmed at the Hubbard Woods Pharmacy, one stop north of Winnetka on the corner of Gage Street and Green Bay Road. The scene starts with Kevin entering the pharmacy, looking for a toothbrush. He eventually finds one, but as he reaches to grab it, an elderly gentleman Mr. Marley (Roberts Blossom) appears suddenly and startles him out of his wits.
As Kevin quickly runs out of the store without paying for his new purchase, we get a full view of the building’s facade in all its charming mid-century glory. Consequently, this whole fiasco would not have occurred if Kevin had known to pack his toothbrush in the first place.
When Kevin's mom (Catherine O'Hara) packed for their trip, she tucked away his toothbrush, leaving him clueless about where it went. Consequently, this outrageous act of "theft,” which had the poor boy believing he was a criminal, occurred purely due to inadequate packing skills!
Following the former "pharmacist" store, Panera Bread took its place and retained all of the building’s original charms. 940 Green Bay Road on the corner of Gage Street is now home to this bakery chain. Sadly, it closed in 2015; however, you can still appreciate its stunning exterior from afar!
To get to the Home Alone filming location, take public transportation from downtown Chicago to Winnetka station and walk for about 8 minutes until you reach Gage Street and Green Bay Road. Once there, you'll be able to spot the Panera Bread that now occupies the lot where The Hubbard Woods Pharmacy once stood.
Kevin listens to the choir scene in Home Alone
Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois, USA
One of the most memorable scenes in Home Alone was when Kevin listened to the church choir singing. Taking his seat, he notices the aged man from his community whom he has been afraid of.
Marley (Roberts Blossom) gestures to point out a young lady on the pulpit, and as he does so, an image of Mother Mary is visible, with a tabernacle adorned with a Cross above it far behind her. The choir stands in harmony atop the altar. Marley states that he's present to hear them sing since his granddaughter won't accept him on Christmas Day, leading Kevin to question in surprise, "at church?!"
After contemplating, Kevin kindly acknowledges, "you're always welcome at church." The two then reconcile with an air of penance one would feel after Confession. At last, Marley wishes Kevin a Merry Christmas and receives the same wish back. It provides a fitting backdrop to this emotional scene between Kevin and Marley.
The Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park, Illinois provided the setting for the moving church scene. It is an 1898 interpretation of St. Paul’s from Knightsbridge, London, and was designed by noted architect John Sutcliffe. Inside you'll find stunning stained glass windows that make the interior of the church pop.
Grace Episcopal Church can be found at 924 Lake Street in Oak Park, only 20 minutes away from downtown Chicago. Via public transportation, your ride starts at Washington/Wabash (Green Line), and after an 8-minute walk, you'll arrive at your destination.
Kevin hides in the Nativity scene in Home Alone
1024 Lake Ave, Wilmette, Illinois 60091 USA
The scene where Kevin hides in the nativity scene outside Trinity United Methodist Church is yet another memorable moment from the classic holiday flick. Trinity United Methodist Church, situated in the charming city of Wilmette, Illinois, is a tower that will take your breath away.
The traditional red-brick facade with white pillars and stained glass windows create a captivating sight to behold, especially when you witness it against its surrounding landscape which consists of tall trees and offers a breathtaking view. Located at 1024 West Lake Avenue, this chapel embodies beauty and tranquility, a must-see for anyone who passes through the area!
The church's exterior was used to film the iconic sequence, when Kevin cleverly hides from Harry and Marv, the 'Wet Bandits,” after they menacingly come looking for him. The nativity scene, featuring traditional figures such as Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus, provides refuge for Kevin as he stands between two donkeys playfully eating hay from either side of him.
To get to this location, take public transportation from Ogilvie Transportation Center via the Union Pacific/North Line to Wilmette Station, about 2 miles away, or drive directly to 1024 West Lake Avenue in Wilmette, Illinois 60091, USA.
Discover Filming Locations
Conclusion
With the surprise success of Home Alone, John Hughes shifted from his ‘80s teen movie cycle to more general family dysfunction in Uncle Buck (1989). This unexpected transition initiated a blockbuster jackpot for him and the genre.
Home Alone is a delightful family movie that both adults and children can appreciate. Macaulay Culkin does an admirable job of portraying the main character, Kevin McCallister, who is left behind when his family accidentally leaves for Paris without him.
The script and storyline are also quite good, providing a humorous but heartwarming take on what it would be like to be home alone during the holiday season. The movie's pacing is done exceptionally well, with just enough time spent in the first half building up to Kevin's predicament and then moving quickly into the second half, where the viewer sees him use his resourcefulness and courage to thwart off two clumsy burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern).
The comedy is well-timed and surprisingly sophisticated, given its young target audience. Home Alone has become an iconic movie since its release in 1990 due to its timeless appeal, it has been praised over the years for its ability to transport viewers back to their childhoods while entertaining them with plenty of physical comedy sequences.
In this way, it set a new benchmark for a specific type of Christmas movie focusing more on humor than sentimentality. All in all, Home Alone is worth watching if you're up for some lighthearted holiday entertainment. It will bring back fond memories and make you appreciate how far ahead of its time it was when it first came out.