Home Alone Films Challenge Mariah Carey’s Christmas Reign

As December arrives, the familiar sound of Mariah Carey's festive anthem fills homes across the globe. Yet, this year, her seasonal spotlight faces a proper challenge from a pair of enduring Christmas classics. The first two instalments of the Home Alone franchise, starring Macaulay Culkin, have surged into the top ranks on Disney+ as of 4 December 2025, according to recent streaming data. Both films have secured places in the upper echelons of the platform’s most-watched list, suggesting that their appeal remains as strong as ever.

Mariah Carey’s Festive Fortune

Carey’s 1994 single, All I Want For Christmas Is You, continues to break records decades after its release. The track recently surpassed two billion streams on Spotify, a milestone that cements its status as a modern classic. Reports indicate that the song brings in between $2.5 million and $3 million in royalties each year, with total earnings since its debut now exceeding $100 million. It remains the highest-charting solo holiday single on the US Billboard Hot 100 and consistently appears on charts worldwide every December.

In 2021, the song made history by becoming the first festive track to receive the RIAA’s Diamond Award. Reflecting on its enduring popularity, Carey remarked:

It blows my mind that ‘All I Want For Christmas is You’ has endured different eras of the music industry. [It] never ceases to amaze me and fill my heart with a multitude of emotions.

With families everywhere queuing up the song for their holiday gatherings, its place in the seasonal canon seems unshakeable. Yet, the Home Alone films are proving just as essential to the Christmas experience for many viewers.

Home Alone: A Festive Staple Returns

The original Home Alone and its sequel, Lost in New York, are once again capturing the attention of audiences. Both films, directed by Chris Columbus and written by John Hughes, follow the misadventures of Kevin McCallister, played by Macaulay Culkin. In the first, Kevin is left behind in Chicago and must defend his family home from two hapless burglars, Harry and Marv, using a series of inventive traps. The sequel sees Kevin separated from his family in New York, where he once again outwits the same pair of criminals, this time in the city’s grand hotels and toy shops.

Despite being released in 1990 and 1992 respectively, the films have lost none of their charm. The original boasts a 7.7/10 rating on IMDb and a 66% score on Rotten Tomatoes, while the sequel holds a 6.9/10 and 35% respectively. The enduring popularity of these films suggests that, much like Carey’s song, they have become a ritual for many households during the festive period.

Comparing Christmas Icons

Both the Home Alone films and Carey’s hit have achieved a kind of cultural immortality, each returning to prominence as the year draws to a close. The films’ blend of slapstick humour, family drama, and holiday spirit continues to resonate, while Carey’s song remains the soundtrack to countless celebrations. The Home Alone franchise, in particular, shows no sign of fading into obscurity, maintaining its relevance more than thirty years after its debut.

For those keen to revisit these festive favourites, both Home Alone and its sequel are currently available to stream on Disney+ in the United States.