Home Alone 3 (1997)

27% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
42% of users liked it
(426,095 ratings)

For the third film in this series, Alex D. Linz replaced Macaulay Culkin as the central figure. Four industrial spies acquire a missile guidance-system computer chip and smuggle it through an airport inside a remote-controlled toy car. Because of baggage confusion, grouchy Mrs. Hess (Marian Seldes)… More For the third film in this series, Alex D. Linz replaced Macaulay Culkin as the central figure. Four industrial spies acquire a missile guidance-system computer chip and smuggle it through an airport inside a remote-controlled toy car. Because of baggage confusion, grouchy Mrs. Hess (Marian Seldes) gets the car. She gives it to her neighbor, eight-year-old Alex (Linz), just before the spies turn up. The spies rent a house in order to burglarize each house in the neighborhood until they locate the car. Home alone with the chicken pox, Alex calls 911 each time he spots a theft in progress, but the spies always manage to elude the police -- while Alex is accused of making prank calls. The spies finally turn their attentions toward Alex, unaware that he has rigged devices to cleverly booby-trap his entire house. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Raja Gosnell
Written By: John Hughes
Genres: Comedy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Dec 12, 1997 Wide
On DVD: Oct 16, 2001
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Critic Reviews

Joly Herman, Common Sense Media
Formulaic movie draws some laughs from pratfalls.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Until the next stupid movie that nobody wants to review comes along, this is Coal Dog. Courage.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
A refreshing, bubbly follow-on
Frank Ochieng, TheWorldJournal.com
The third time is definitely not a charm for this recycled ruse of cartoonish high jinks involving another rambunctious rascal up to no good. Pointless and ponderous.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Directors C

Its forgettable but its not that bad. I appreciate the film makers for trying to better the first two entries. The new child left home alone isn't a bad actor and neither are the theives. Also, the tricks played in this film are even darker than the first two and they still carry… More
Its forgettable but its not that bad. I appreciate the film makers for trying to better the first two entries. The new child left home alone isn't a bad actor and neither are the theives. Also, the tricks played in this film are even darker than the first two and they still carry their appeal depending on what mood your in.
Jeff "

Considering that the first two films are family film classics, this third entry is an abomination. The film is so poorly made, and scripted, that you can't get into the film. The acting is terrible, and the cast do a terrible job at delivering good performances. Forget it; there… More
Considering that the first two films are family film classics, this third entry is an abomination. The film is so poorly made, and scripted, that you can't get into the film. The acting is terrible, and the cast do a terrible job at delivering good performances. Forget it; there are no good performances here. There are only bad performances here. What's surprising about this film is that John Hughes wrote the script, and he made some phenomenal films back in the day, The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and he also wrote the first two Home Alone films, and made other memorable drama and comedy films. Well, those looking for a good John Hughes written film will definitely be disappointed with this entry to the fun Home Alone franchise. There's nothing good to be had here, only a waste of time. This film was awful, bad and every word you can describe a piece of garbage. On the poster a critic said "It's better than the first two!" uh no it's not. This film is a travesty. I can't believe that John Hughes wrote this. The film is bad. The plot sucks, the acting sucks and everything that made the first two films great are absent. All you have is dull, recycled ideas and there's nothing interesting. There's none of the fun from the first two. If you've seen the first two, and haven't seen this one; you're one of the lucky ones. You're definitely not missing out on anything good; in fact you're avoiding an awful film, and if you've enjoyed the first two, simply stay away from this crap film.
Alexander D

Really not good at all, now that Macaulay Culkin is gone from the cast (ahem, outgrown the movies). They really should have stopped making HOME ALONE movies after this, but instead, they decided to just make a "TV movie" sequel.
Brad W

Sucked
AJ V

The last of the Home Alone series, and it goes and changes all the actors. We seriously didn't need this movie, it's practically a remake of the original.
Bethany M

Love all of the Home Alone's but nothing is as good as the original.
Lenny M

Mothertruck this movie. Update: One of the worst movies of all time.
Dead A

Mom, you're hugging me kissing me in front of the cops! This was totally different just like taking the new characters. I did liked the story. It's funny and enjoyable. There are many funny moments, i.e: when the cops… More
Mom, you're hugging me kissing me in front of the cops! This was totally different just like taking the new characters. I did liked the story. It's funny and enjoyable. There are many funny moments, i.e: when the cops commanded the dog to freeze. They always manage to take the cutest and the smartest kids. I did missed Macaulay Culkin. He was the best. Though Alex D. Linz was just like him.
Richard C

D
Tim S

What a pile of garbage.
KJ P

I didn't like it as much as the original, but its certainly a huge improvement on the second, and at least he back in his house!
Conner R

While it bears almost no resemblance to its predecessors, it is basically the same premise. It is a far less enjoyable sequel and completely pointless. While it is harmless, it just doesn't make any sense why they would follow up the series without Macaulay Culkin.
Jason O

Fairley decent and entertaining flick, but it lacks the original of the first two that feature Macaulay Culkin.
Cassandra M

If you liked the first two films starring Macaulay Culkin, then the bad news is that he is replaced by a new kid named Alex D. Linz playing Alex Pruitt, but the good news is that this is actually a good film. The new idea is that he is left at home on purpose, looking after himself.… More
If you liked the first two films starring Macaulay Culkin, then the bad news is that he is replaced by a new kid named Alex D. Linz playing Alex Pruitt, but the good news is that this is actually a good film. The new idea is that he is left at home on purpose, looking after himself. Four criminals, Mr. Beaupre (Olek Krupa), Mr. Jernigan (Lenny Von Dohlen), Mr. Unger (David Thornton) and Alice Ribbons (Rya Kihlstedt), have stolen a computer chip that goes into a missile. They put it into a toy car and accidentally swap bags. The kid has now got the car and is now defending himself with new goofy and dangerous booby traps set for cartoon like comedy. Also starring Haviland Morris as the Mum, Karen, Kevin Kilner as the Dad, Jack, Marian Seldes as Mrs. Hess, Seth Smith as Stan, and a young Scarlett Johansson as Molly. The villains are good and the new kid is pretty good, oh, and the comedy is still good! Good!
Dean M

Really funny, endearing stuff with different young actor, Alex D. Linz who fills in nicely as Alex Pruitt, who has to fend off a band of international crooks intent on retrieving a computer chip hidden inside one of his toys. I couldn't stop laughing heaps what Alex made his… More
Really funny, endearing stuff with different young actor, Alex D. Linz who fills in nicely as Alex Pruitt, who has to fend off a band of international crooks intent on retrieving a computer chip hidden inside one of his toys. I couldn't stop laughing heaps what Alex made his trick plan onto these crooks. WHOA and WHOO!
Lafe F

A re-tread of the first Home Alone movie plot with a new kid fighting new crooks trying to break into his house. There's a lot of "ouch!" moments for the baddies.
Drew S

Well, I found it funny when I was 9...
Jose Z

a third home alone movie, cant believe it this was worst than I imagine
Sanjaya &

My fave movie when i was child
Dann M

Home Alone 3 steers clear of the mistakes of the previous films, and makes all new ones. Whereas 2 went too dark and violent, 3 goes too cartoonish and slapstick. Where the first film thought small, with just a pair of common burglars, 3 goes big, with a team of international… More
Home Alone 3 steers clear of the mistakes of the previous films, and makes all new ones. Whereas 2 went too dark and violent, 3 goes too cartoonish and slapstick. Where the first film thought small, with just a pair of common burglars, 3 goes big, with a team of international terrorists. Still, the film's beginning shows some cleverness in setting up a new, original home alone situation, but it quickly devolves into garbage. The main problem with Home Alone 3 is that it's so pacified that it doesn't have the darkness or edginess needed to believe that these are real characters, or that this situation is dangerous.