As the festive season rolls around each year, one film reliably finds its way back onto our screens: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Released in 1992, this beloved sequel sees Macaulay Culkin reprise his role as the resourceful Kevin McCallister, who finds himself accidentally alone in the Big Apple during Christmas. While the movie's plot is familiar to millions, the stories from behind the camera are often just as fascinating. From record-breaking pay cheques to unexpected injuries and a famous political cameo, here are 17 things you probably didn't know about this iconic Christmas film.
Behind the Scenes: Cast, Crew and Production Secrets
The making of Home Alone 2 was filled with unique challenges and interesting anecdotes. Director Christopher Columbus was initially keen to film two sequels simultaneously, aware that his young star was quickly ageing. The logistical and financial hurdles of this plan, however, meant it was ultimately scrapped. The film also holds a unique distinction within the franchise: it is the only Home Alone movie to feature real snow, thanks to an unexpected blizzard that hit the set just before filming began.
The dynamic between the young lead and his on-screen adversaries was particularly memorable. Joe Pesci, who played the hapless burglar Harry, shared a blunt but fond friendship with Macaulay Culkin. On one occasion, when Culkin asked Pesci why he never smiled, the actor simply told him to "shut up". Pesci later explained he treated the child star differently from the pampering he received from others, which he believed Culkin appreciated.
Not all on-set experiences were so lighthearted. During the chaotic pigeon attack scene in the fictional Duncan’s Toy Chest, actor Daniel Stern (Marv) had a real bird fly into his mouth, an incident he later described as "disgusting". More seriously, Joe Pesci sustained serious burns to the top of his head during the scene where his character's hat is set on fire, an injury he revealed in a 2022 interview.
Star Power, Salaries and Celebrity Appearances
The financial and star power behind the sequel was significant. Macaulay Culkin was paid a staggering $4.5 million for his return, making him the highest-paid child actor of his time at just twelve years old. The film also boasted an impressive roster of cameos. A young Kieran Culkin made an appearance as Kevin's cousin, Fuller, long before his fame in Succession. Other notable faces included Ally Sheedy as a ticket agent and Tim Curry, Rob Schneider, and Dana Ivey as the Plaza Hotel's memorable staff.
The most famous cameo, however, belonged to a future world leader. Donald Trump, who then owned New York's Plaza Hotel where key scenes were filmed, only agreed to the shoot on the condition he was paid a fee and given a speaking role. His brief appearance asking Kevin for directions to the lobby is now a notorious piece of film trivia.
Catherine O'Hara, who played Kevin's frantic mother Kate, was so concerned her character didn't seem distressed enough that she requested extra scenes to better convey her panic. Her commitment to the role helped maintain the film's emotional core amidst the slapstick comedy.
Lasting Legacy and Little-Known Details
The impact of Home Alone 2 extended far beyond the cinema. The use of the Plaza Hotel's real phone number in the film led to the switchboard being inundated with calls from fans. Decades later, the hotel capitalises on this fame by offering a 'Kevin McCallister Experience' package, which includes a limo tour of filming locations, pizza, and a lavish sundae.
Fans of the first film will recall the fake black-and-white gangster movie Angels With Filthy Souls that Kevin watches. The production team created a new fake movie for the sequel, titled Angels With Even Filthier Souls, as a clever callback. Another fun detail is Kevin's legendary room service feast at the Plaza, which included a mountain of sweets and supposedly totalled a jaw-dropping $970.
While the fictional Duncan’s Toy Chest was based on the real F.A.O. Schwarz store in Manhattan, the film's original title was almost very different. The sequel was initially set to be called Alone Again, but director Christopher Columbus changed it, fearing audiences might mistake it for a remake rather than a follow-up. This decision helped cement the film's place as a direct and beloved continuation of Kevin McCallister's chaotic Christmas adventures, securing its status as a perennial festive favourite for generations in the UK and beyond.
