Streaming services are embracing the festive spirit this December, and Hulu is no exception, with a franchise earning top spots on subscriber Christmas movie marathons. As the holiday season unfolds, major platforms have filled their libraries with a plethora of beloved holiday films, ensuring that viewers have plenty to choose from.
On December 1st, Hulu added the complete Home Alone franchise to its lineup. This includes the original Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, Home Alone 3, Home Alone 4, Home Alone: The Holiday Heist, and the more recent Home Sweet Home Alone. The delightful stories, which revolve around children unexpectedly left home alone during the holidays, are resonating with audiences, making the franchise a streaming sensation.
Currently, Home Alone and Home Alone 2 occupy the No. 1 and No. 2 positions on Hulu’s top 10 movies chart in the U.S., and they rank No. 2 and No. 4 respectively in the combined rankings of TV shows and movies. These classics are outperforming other holiday favorites, including The Santa Clause, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and The Polar Express, which complete the top five. Although specific viewership numbers have not been disclosed, both films have consistently ranked since December 10th, indicating their popularity.
The enduring appeal of Home Alone contributes significantly to its streaming success. With a 66% critic score and an 80% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the 1990 film is often deemed the quintessential Christmas movie. Not only does it deliver laugh-out-loud slapstick comedy through the adventures of young Kevin McAllister as he fends off the bumbling “Wet Bandits,” but it also encapsulates themes of family, forgiveness, and gratitude—core elements of the holiday spirit.
The film’s nostalgic ambiance, marked by the McAllister family’s festive decorations and a snowy neighborhood backdrop, combined with John Williams’s heartwarming score, enhances the emotional depth of the story. The closing scene, where Kevin joyfully reunites with his family on Christmas morning, harmoniously blends comedic antics with heartfelt Christmas sentiments, cementing its status as a holiday classic.
In addition to the Home Alone films, Hulu’s December offerings include a variety of other festive titles. Viewers can also check out Disney’s A Christmas Carol, Gremlins, and The Santa Clause movies, alongside non-holiday films like Black Swan, Straight Outta Compton, and several entries in the Planet of the Apes series.
With such a strong selection, Hulu is becoming a go-to destination for holiday movie enthusiasts looking to fill their viewing schedules this Christmas season. Fans are encouraged to share their thoughts and join the conversation about their favorite films in the comments section.
