Each Christmas season, families across the country gather around their TVs to watch Christmas classics, and in November of 1990, a new Christmas classic was born.  It quickly became a box office smash, and it is now known for its comedy and sweet underlying message about the importance of family. You now know it as Home Alone.  And while many other movies attempted to reach the same level of success, such as The Polar Express, none could attain the high standard Home Alone set, not even its sequels.

Home Alone is about a young boy named Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin, who gets left behind at home while his family travels to Paris for Christmas vacation.  Before they can return home to their prodigal son, two robbers attempt to break into their house, and Kevin is left to fend for himself. Spoiler alert, the robbers are somehow outwitted by an eight-year-old and are arrested shortly after.  

The overall story line of the movie develops quickly and is interesting, and at times funny, although it is slightly concerning that an eight-year-old knew how to inflict so much pain and found it amusing.  The movie did have a few redeeming moments, like when Kevin was finally reunited with his family and when the older man, Marley, made peace with his son.  

On the other end of the spectrum is The Polar Express, which also became a beloved Christmas movie. This film lacks the thrill factor Home Alone captures.  In The Polar Express, a young boy learns to believe in the magic of Christmas and Santa Claus, and is taken on a train to the North Pole where he meets Santa.  The boy is given a bell, but only people who believe in the magic of Christmas can hear it. The plot of the movie just wasn’t as interesting or easy to follow along as Home Alone.  However, it will always remain an unforgettable Christmas classic.