Why did critics and audiences clash so sharply over the third Home Alone film?

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Released in 1997, Home Alone 3 abandoned the original cast for a new story about a boy defending his home from international criminals. While critics largely panned the film for lacking the charm of its predecessors, the movie sparked a legendary, heated on-air argument between film reviewers Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel.

The production of Home Alone 3 followed a turbulent path. Originally, the studio considered filming a third installment alongside the second, but those plans collapsed. By 1994, Macaulay Culkin had stepped away from acting, forcing the studio to pivot toward a new protagonist, Alex Pruitt. Even Kieran Culkin, who appeared in the earlier films, was considered for a role but ultimately declined, reportedly fearing he could not replicate the massive cultural phenomenon his brother had created.

The plot centers on a high-stakes heist involving a $10 million microchip hidden inside a toy car. When the chip accidentally ends up in the hands of 8-year-old Alex, he must defend his home against a group of criminals linked to a terrorist organization. The film, directed by Raja Gosnell, leaned heavily into elaborate booby traps and slapstick, featuring a pet rat and a parrot as unexpected allies in the defense of the Pruitt household.

Critical reception was notably polarized. While the film grossed $79.1 million against a $32 million budget, it holds a 36% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, Roger Ebert famously bucked the trend, awarding it three out of four stars and calling it 'fresh' and 'very funny.' His disagreement with Gene Siskel on their television show became a viral moment decades later, highlighting the deep divide over whether the franchise could survive without its original star.

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