Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Formulaic movie draws some laughs from pratfalls.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Home Alone 3
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 51 kid reviews
Kids say that this film, while offering a new plot and characters instead of the original cast, falls short of the charm that made the first two installments memorable. Despite some laughter from slapstick humor and entertaining traps, it also presents inappropriate content and humor that may not be suitable for younger audiences, making it a polarizing addition to the franchise.
- new characters
- inappropriate content
- not suitable for kids
- mixed reviews
- lack of original charm
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Alex (Alex D. Linz) is left alone for a day when he has the chicken pox. Little does he know, an internationally renowned terrorist group is on his tail: he was given a gift with a precious piece of hardware inside. His mission? Keep his house and his neighborhood safe.
Is It Any Good?
Considering that Home Alone's initial hero played by Macualay Culkin is a very hard act to follow, little Alex D. Linz fills his shoes pretty well. He's cute, he's clever, he's got a devilish smile, and he's got the whole house to himself. The fact that John Hughes had a hand in writing and producing this movie goes a long way, too. The jokes are smart, the characters are fleshed-out, plus -- a bonus -- Scarlett Johansson fans get to see her in a bit part as Alex's older sister.
There is a formula that the movie goes by, of course. We know the bad guys are going to find Alex's house. We know that they are going to get punished when he unleashes his traps a-plenty. But the stakes are higher here, since the bad guys are smarter. And you do kind of feel sorry that the poor kid was left at home, even if we know he's invincible. Not bad for a threequel.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether watching people get hurt is funny. The bumps and bangs are played for humor here, but what would be the real consequences of these incidents?
Nobody believes Alex when he tells his family that he has seen crooks in the neighborhood. Could he have been more convincing? Or is being unheard part of being a kid?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 12, 1997
- On DVD or streaming : November 3, 1998
- Cast : Alex D. Linz , Olek Krupa , Scarlett Johansson
- Director : Raja Gosnell
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : slapstick violence, language and mild sensuality
- Last updated : December 5, 2025
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