It’s the ultimate holiday tradition for millions of families, but for Macaulay Culkin, the movie Home Alone isn’t just a seasonal classic. It’s a job he had when he was eight. Now, at 45 years old, the actor has finally shared what it’s like to introduce that iconic piece of his past to the people who matter most: his kids.
In a series of candid reveals during his 2025 "A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin" tour and various interviews, Macaulay Culkin revealed that his sons have watched Home Alone, and honestly, the details are kind of hilarious.
You’d think seeing your dad’s face on a 60-foot screen fending off burglars would be a "lightbulb" moment for a toddler. Apparently not. According to Culkin, his sons—Dakota, 4, and Carson, 3—are big fans of the movie, but they have absolutely no idea that the kid with the "yellow hair" is the guy making them breakfast every morning.
The Secret Life of Kevin McCallister (According to a Four-Year-Old)
Culkin shares his two boys with fiancée Brenda Song, and the couple has been famously protective of their children’s privacy. But during his 35th-anniversary tour for the film, Mack (as his friends call him) couldn't help but share how the "illusion" is going at home.
"They have no idea that I'm Kevin," he told a crowd in Long Beach.
The kids don't call the movie by its title. They just call it "Kevin." They think Kevin is a hilarious, handsome kid who does cool stuff. The disconnect is so strong that Culkin’s oldest, Dakota, has started to appropriate Kevin’s life story as his own.
"He thinks he's Kevin," Culkin joked. "I'll ask him, 'Do you remember when you slid down the stairs on a sled?' and he’s like, 'Yep, sure do.' I have to tell him, 'You liar! That was me!'"
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It’s a bizarre, meta-experience for one of the most famous child stars in history. He’s essentially competing with his younger self for his sons' admiration. And right now? 1990 Macaulay is winning.
Why he’s keeping them in the dark
You might wonder why he doesn't just point at the screen and say, "Look, that's me!"
For Culkin, it’s about preserving a certain kind of childhood magic. He told The Hollywood Reporter that he wants to "keep the magic alive" as long as possible. There is something sweet about his kids enjoying a story for the story’s sake, without the weight of their father’s massive celebrity attached to it.
He did mention one close call, though. Dakota wanted to see a photo of Mack’s siblings (which includes Succession star Kieran Culkin). When Mack pulled up an old family photo, Dakota’s eyes went wide. He pointed at his dad and said, "That kid looks like Kevin."
Culkin’s response? "He sure does, doesn't he?" Total poker face.
Parenting in the Shadow of "The Scream"
Raising kids when you’re a living meme isn’t easy. Brenda Song, who most of us know from The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, has mentioned that their kids do recognize her on TV. They see her and say, "That's Mama." But for some reason, the jump from a 45-year-old father to an 8-year-old Kevin is just too much for their toddler brains to process.
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Watching the movie with them has changed how Culkin views his own work. For decades, Home Alone was just a "gig" or a reminder of a complicated time in his life.
Now? He watches their eyes. He listens to them laugh at the slapstick humor.
The shift in perspective
- Then: A job that led to extreme global fame and family tension.
- Now: A tool for bonding and a source of genuine "dad pride."
- The Difference: He isn't running from the legacy anymore; he’s sitting next to it on the couch with a bowl of popcorn.
It’s a massive shift from the Macaulay of the early 2000s, who often seemed exhausted by the public's obsession with his childhood. By embracing the "A Nostalgic Night" tour and sharing these stories, he seems to have reached a place of peace with Kevin McCallister.
A Legacy Beyond the Booby Traps
Interestingly, while Mack’s kids are watching "Kevin," his brother Kieran has a different policy. Kieran recently admitted that his own children aren't allowed to watch the movie yet because he thinks some of it is still a bit "scary" for them.
The Culkin family tree is essentially the blueprint for child acting in the 90s, but Macaulay is determined to make sure his sons have a different experience than he did. He’s been vocal about breaking cycles of "generational trauma" and being a "hands-on" dad.
He and Brenda don't even have a nanny. They do the bedtime routines, the grocery runs, and the "Papa T-Rex" playtime themselves.
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What’s Next for the McCallisters?
During his tour, Culkin even floated a "theoretical" idea for a sequel where he gets locked out and his son has to take over the mantle. While it was mostly a joke, the fans went wild.
Whether or not we ever see a Dakota or Carson Culkin on screen, the fact that Macaulay Culkin revealed that his sons have watched Home Alone signifies a closing of the circle. He’s a dad first, a legend second.
Eventually, the kids will figure it out. They’ll see the Hollywood Walk of Fame star or a clip on YouTube and realize that "Kevin" and "Dad" are the same person. But for now, Mack is happy just being the guy who gets flowers for their mom and watches them laugh at a kid who looks suspiciously like him.
Actionable insights for parents
If you’re planning your own Home Alone marathon this year, take a page out of the Culkin playbook:
- Watch the kids, not the screen. See what makes them laugh; it’s more rewarding than the movie itself.
- Keep the "fourth wall" up. If they’re young, let the movie be magic. They don't need to know how the stunts were done or who the actors are yet.
- Embrace the "lying liar." If your kid thinks they’re the one who fought the burglars, just go with it. Childhood is short.
Keep the Christmas spirit alive—just maybe skip the sledding down the actual stairs.