During the Christmas season, there's one movie that is sure to be played at least once, and that's Home Alone.

This film was particularly shot in Winnetka, Illinois, a suburb located north of Chicago.

That's why watching the movie feels unique and special to me.

The story is one that everyone knows.

On the morning of their trip to Paris just before Christmas, 8-year-old Kevin is accidentally left home alone.

He then sets up clever traps to defend his home against two burglars.

The reason this setup is beloved is that it brings to life the fantasy of "home alone" that many of us imagined as children.

With the themes of family and the Christmas spirit added in, it creates a sense of connection that transcends generations.

The protagonist, Kevin, is played by Macaulay Culkin. This film made him a global star, and he remains one of the first faces that come to mind during Christmas.

However, after achieving worldwide success with this movie, Macaulay Culkin faced many challenges during his transition to adulthood.

Culkin's parents managed his substantial income, and after their separation in 1995, a legal battle ensued over his assets and custody. He married actress Rachel Miner at a very young age of 18, but they separated after about two years, leading to divorce. The early experiences of marriage and parental separation contributed to instability in his personal life.

After becoming an adult, there were many rumors regarding his health. His sudden weight loss led to speculation about drug or alcohol issues, and in 2004, he was arrested for drug possession. However, he clarified that the situation was exaggerated at the time.

Still, it's fair to say that Home Alone perfectly captures the essence of American family films from the 80s and 90s.

The filming location, Winnetka, is a representative affluent area located in the North Shore region north of Chicago.

It features spacious single-family homes built on large lots, well-kept streets, and a quiet residential environment.

The house in the movie was also filmed in an actual home, which has now become a popular spot for fans to visit.

However, since it is privately owned, interior visits are not possible, and visitors can only take photos from the outside.

The film naturally utilizes the entire city of Chicago as a backdrop.

The scene where Kevin's family departs for their trip was filmed at O'Hare International Airport.

The bustling airport atmosphere typical of the Christmas season is captured perfectly.

Subsequent scenes in downtown Chicago also appear, creating a vivid sense of space between the city and the suburbs.

These details enhance the film's realism.

The box office success of the film is worth noting. Upon its release in 1990, it grossed over $280 million in North America alone, making it the highest-grossing film of that year.

Globally, it earned over $470 million. This was an enormous figure for the time and it was recorded as one of the "most successful comedies" for a long time.

It is particularly remarkable that a film with a strong independent distribution nature achieved such success.

Following its release, the cumulative earnings increased with VHS, DVD, and streaming releases.

The fact that it is essentially screened every year can be seen as another form of success.

The sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, was also successful, but many believe it did not fully capture the freshness and emotional depth of the first film.

Nonetheless, it is clear that this series has become a symbol of the Christmas season.

And the city of Chicago and the neighborhood of Winnetka complete that atmosphere.

The reason we find ourselves watching this movie again as Christmas approaches is likely because, even though it's a story we've seen before, the emotions from that time return to us.