Macaulay Culkin, the beloved child star of Home Alone, recently revealed that he considered buying the iconic house featured in the holiday classic when it was listed for sale earlier this year. However, despite the nostalgic pull of the property, the actor ultimately decided against making the purchase — not due to a lack of interest, but because of his busy personal life.
Culkin, now 44, admitted during a December screening of Home Alone at the Rosemont Theater in Illinois that he had entertained the idea of purchasing the real-life house, located in Winnetka, Illinois. “I had half a mind to buy it — just for giggles,” he said, as reported by The New York Times. However, Culkin made it clear that he never intended to move into the house himself.
Instead, the actor shared his amusing idea to turn the house into something equally as memorable as the film. “I would have turned it into a ‘movie fun house,’ where people could reenact scenes like the one where my character, Kevin McCallister, sleds down the stairs,” he explained, imagining a quirky attraction for fans of the film to relive its most iconic moments.
Ultimately, Culkin’s decision not to purchase the house boiled down to practical considerations. “I got kids. I’m busy, man,” he said, referencing his role as a father to two young sons, whom he shares with fiancée Brenda Song. The couple’s toddlers are a significant part of his life, and Culkin has embraced fatherhood while balancing his career.
In addition to his family life, Culkin has stayed connected to his Home Alone legacy in more ways than one. This holiday season, he embarked on a special tour called Home Alone: A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin, where he attended screenings and participated in Q&A sessions with fans. The tour, which celebrated the 1990 film’s enduring popularity, concluded on December 15.
While the idea of a Home Alone “movie fun house” may have been a fun fantasy, fans of the movie have had the chance to step inside the iconic house, which was listed for sale at $5.25 million in May. The five-bedroom, six-bathroom residence, which has become a must-see landmark for fans of the film, features luxury amenities such as a state-of-the-art movie theater, a fully equipped gym, and an indoor sports court. Built in 1921, the home spans an impressive 9,126 square feet and is located in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the country.
At the time the house was listed, agent Dawn McKenna told People that the property is a “rare legend that lives up to its hype in every way.” She also emphasized that the house, with its lavish features and historic charm, is situated in a prime location, making it a unique and highly sought-after real estate opportunity.
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Although Culkin ultimately passed on the chance to buy the house, he remains closely tied to the Home Alone legacy, continuing to celebrate the film’s enduring popularity. Most recently, he channeled his inner Kevin McCallister for a memorable Uber Eats commercial. In the ad, Culkin is seen sitting by a fire, wearing a familiar white sweater, and reflecting on the passage of time. “I can’t remember the last time I had the house to myself over the holidays,” he says, evoking memories of his character’s mischief in the 1990 classic.
For Culkin, the film has taken on new meaning as a father. “I watch it through a different lens — I watch it with [my kids],” he shared. His three-year-old son, Dakota, has even shown an early affinity for the character of Kevin. Culkin recalled a recent moment when he asked his son if he remembered sledding down the stairs, and the toddler eagerly agreed, despite not yet understanding the full significance of the film. “They have no idea who they’re sitting next to,” Culkin added, referring to himself as the actor who brought Kevin McCallister to life.
Culkin’s reflections on Home Alone also reveal how the film has shaped his career and life. “It’s a curse and a blessing,” he said, acknowledging that his early fame — which came when he was just ten years old — has had a lasting impact. But despite the pressures of child stardom, Culkin has made peace with his past and now enjoys sharing his Home Alone experiences with his children.
Though fans won’t be able to tour Culkin’s envisioned “movie fun house” anytime soon, the actor’s connection to Home Alone remains strong. From commercials to nostalgic tours, Culkin continues to honor his place in Hollywood history, ensuring that the Christmas classic lives on for new generations of fans.
