Trivia: This made-for-TV movie was originally entitled "Home Alone: Alone in the Dark" and was produced by the same producers (ABC and Fox) as "Home Alone 4" (2002).
Home Alone: The Holiday Heist (2012)
1 trivia entry
Directed by: Peter Hewitt
Starring: Jodelle Ferland, Christian Martyn, Doug Murray, Eddie Steeples
Continuity mistake: The driveway is clear of snow the day the Baxters move in. Based on the amount of snow in Mason's yard (across the street) and other outside views, there has not been a snowstorm after the Baxters have settled. In fact, the wet roads and melting snow on lawns indicate an ongoing thaw. Christine (Finn's mother) tells the kids they will be leaving to go shopping for a tree and decorations as soon as Curtis (Finn's father) finishes clearing the driveway. Curtis is then shown struggling to use a snowblower to remove A LOT of snow from the driveway (which had been clear of all snow on move-in day). (00:00:58 - 00:18:51)
Curtis: Here. You want to take that one down to the basement, dude? I'm coming with you. Let's go.
Finn: [Hearing the statement Alexis made earlier] "People get really good deals if they find, like, a dead body in the basement". The basement level in Dragons and Warriors is a prison filled with ghosts.
Curtis: Yeah, well, the basement in a real life is just a basement. You can do it. (00:07:56)
Question: Why was this movie made-for-TV and never released theatrically?
Answer: Same reason why so-called "Home Alone 6" will appear on Disney+ as an original film - as explained previously. Although if Home Alone 4 was anything to go by, the bottom of the barrel was scraped to the point it had a hole in it. Patched I reckon by "Home Alone 5."
Answer: It's a separate movie set in the same universe, a sort of reboot. Introducing a new younger child to the franchise.
Answer: In addition to not being able to cast child star MacCulkin again (who drew earlier crowds but was now older and "not so cute"), the script was not of the same calibre. Without being able to surpass the previous highly successful HOME ALONE movies in quality and desirability (as well as meet fans' high expectations), it was a way to offer "something" (less satisfying but "cheaper" to produce) by going straight to TV or DVD (the next best thing).
This answer doesn't explain "Home Alone 3" though.
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Answer: Simple answer is because ABC Family along with Fox TV Studios produced the movie specifically for their television audience. Which is what they did for "Home Alone 4" as well. Airing original movies on a channel is a way for networks to increase ad revenue as it draws an audience to watch their movies. They wouldn't have a need (and probably not a budget) to release it in theaters.
Bishop73