The Best Holiday Movies

Left behind by his family, now en route to Paris, Kevin McCallister must fend for himself and defend his suburban Illinois home against two dimwitted burglars. In the process, he learns that his terrifying neighbor is in fact just a sad and lonely man who, like Kevin, is yearning for the love of family during the holiday season. In case you forget the true popularity of the modern Christmas classic, consider this: It was the highest-grossing film of the year and topped the box office for three straight months. Perhaps that was because of Kevin's child-pleasing antics and don't-try-this-at-home safety strategies. Or, just maybe, it was because at its core, this Macaulay Culkin star-making vehicle sends the message that while fancy vacations are great, the only thing we want surrounding us on Christmas morning is family.