Where can the "Home Alone" house be found? Explore the actual location where Kevin fought against the Wet Bandits

The beloved holiday movie Home Alone, which premiered on November 16, 1990, quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Fans continue to flock to the real-life residence that stood in for the McCallister family home. In January 2025, the property changed hands once again.

The 1990 comedy, which launched Macaulay Culkin into stardom, remains iconic for its clever traps, lively ensemble, and Culkins memorable portrayal of Kevin McCallister. At the heart of the story is the McCallister familys house, a spacious suburban home that transforms into Kevins fortress against the notorious Wet Bandits, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.

Is the Home Alone House Real?

Yes, the house is real and located at 671 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka, Illinois, a suburb roughly 40 minutes north of downtown Chicago. Visitors, however, should be aware that the property is gated. Built in 1921, the mansion includes five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and a three-car garage. Iconic features like the staircase Kevin slides down, the kitchen where he argues over pizza with Buzz, and the dark basement for booby traps remain recognizable, even though many interiors were recreated on a soundstage at New Trier Township High School. The basement furnace that terrified Kevin was added for filming, replacing the homes original vintage boiler.

Original Owners During Filming

John Abendshien, his wife Cynthia Demps, and their daughter Lauren lived in the house when it was chosen as the filming location. The family remained in the home throughout production, creating their own private space within the second-floor master bedroom. Abendshien received approximately $65,000 for the use of the house. Following the movies release, fan visits increased dramatically, disrupting the familys privacy. Abendshien described their once-peaceful home as being crawling with tourists in his memoir.

The family stayed in the house for over 20 years before selling it in 2012 to Tim and Trisha Johnson for around $1.6 million.

Current Owners and Renovations

The Johnsons modernized the home in 2018, adding a home theater, indoor sports court, chefs kitchen, and gym, while preserving signature elements like the grand staircase. The expansion increased the house by more than 5,000 square feet, totaling over 9,000 square feet. The property was listed for $5.25 million in May 2024 and sold within a week, officially closing in January 2025. The new owners have chosen to remain private but are enthusiastic about maintaining the homes cinematic legacy.

Macaulay Culkins What If Moment

Culkin once considered buying the Home Alone house after seeing it listed in 2024. He joked about turning it into a movie fun house for fans to recreate Kevins antics, but ultimately decided against it due to family commitments with his two sons.

Where to Watch Home Alone

The classic film is currently available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu.

Author: Grace Ellison