Was the ‘Home Alone’ House Featured in ‘Friends’?
A fascinating television Easter egg may have been uncovered, connecting the fictional McCallister family from ‘Home Alone’ with the beloved cast of ‘Friends.’
Recently, an Instagram user named Scott Westwood shared a theory suggesting that “Chandler and Monica from Friends moved into the McAllister’s house from Home Alone.” In a video clip, he cleverly juxtaposed scenes from the 1990 holiday film with footage of ‘Mondler’ in their home, revealing the ‘Home Alone’ residence through their window.
The video has gained considerable attention, amassing 14.4 million views and even catching the eye of Daren Janes, who claimed to be the art director on ‘Friends’.
Janes humorously admitted to the connection, stating, “I was the Art Director on FRIENDS & the house was a set. The actors walked in the front door, so we saw outside.” He explained that they used backing from Pacific Studios, created for ‘Home Alone’ because it looked the best through the door and windows. Janes’ comments garnered over 103,000 likes and nearly 400 comments.
Despite Home Alone’s debut in November 1990, the intrigue surrounding the McAllister house remains. Recently, The New York Times explored the current cost of living in the iconic Winnetka, Ill. property. Notably, the house was once offered as a unique Airbnb stay, complete with booby traps reminiscent of those used by Kevin in the cult classic holiday film.
According to financial experts cited by The New York Times, back in 1990, the McCallister family home from ‘Home Alone’ would have been within reach only for the top 1% of Chicago households, requiring an income of around $305,000 (equivalent to $665,000 in 2022).
In December 2020, Laura Abendshien, a former resident whose family’s home served as the filming location, shared her experience on the U.K. morning show This Morning. She mentioned that her family stayed in the house for about four or five months during filming.
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Abendshien recalled Macaulay Culkin, who played Kevin McCallister, using her room for study sessions with his tutor, and his brother Keiran would hang out there when not filming.
Reflecting on the unexpected fame of her family’s home decades later, Abendshien expressed her surprise. A similar surprise surrounded the Friends two-bedroom apartment, which became available for overnight stays in 2021 through a partnership with Booking.com. Fans had the opportunity to experience “The Ultimate Sleepover at The Friends Experience” at the flagship location in New York City for just $19.94, a nod to the sitcom’s debut year.
– Farheen Ali
