<P> Home Alone is a 1990 American comedy film written and produced by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus . The film stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, a boy who is mistakenly left behind when his family flies to Paris for their Christmas vacation . Kevin initially relishes being home alone, but soon has to contend with two would - be burglars played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern . The film also features Catherine O'Hara and John Heard as Kevin's parents . </P> <P> Culkin was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor--Musical or Comedy . After its release, Home Alone became the highest - grossing live action comedy film of all time in the United States, and also held the record worldwide until it was overtaken by The Hangover Part II in 2011 . It is the highest grossing Christmas movie of all time at the North American box office (when adjusted for inflation). Home Alone has spawned a successful film franchise with four sequels, including the 1992 film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, the only Home Alone sequel to have the original cast reprising their roles . </P> <P> The McCallister family is preparing to spend Christmas in Paris, gathering at Peter and Kate's home outside of Chicago on the night before their departure . Peter and Kate's youngest son, eight - year - old Kevin, is being ridiculed by his siblings and cousins . A fight with his older brother, Buzz, results in Kevin getting sent to the third floor of the house for punishment, where he wishes that his family would disappear . During the night, heavy winds cause damage to power lines, which causes a temporary power outage and resets the alarm clocks, causing the entire family to oversleep . In the confusion and rush to get to the airport, Kevin is accidentally left behind . </P> <P> Kevin wakes up to find the house empty and, thinking his wish has come true, is overjoyed with his new - found freedom . However, Kevin soon becomes frightened by his next door neighbor, "Old Man" Marley, who is rumored to have murdered his family with a snow shovel in 1958; as well as the "Wet Bandits", Harry and Marv, a pair of burglars who have been breaking into other vacant houses in the neighborhood and have targeted the McCallisters' house . Kevin tricks the pair into thinking his whole family is home, forcing them to put their plans on hold . </P>

Where does the first home alone take place