Macaulay Caulkin reveals the straightforward reason why Home Alone 2 surpasses Home Alone in his opinion: He received a higher salary for the sequel.
Macaulay Culkin's Lucrative Deal in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Macaulay Culkin's role in the iconic film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York not only secured his place in Hollywood history but also made him one of the most financially successful child actors of all time. His unique financial arrangement for the film included a base salary, as well as ownership of 5% of the net profits and 15% of the merchandising revenue related to the movie [3][4][1].
This deal proved to be highly lucrative. The merchandising alone, which included the popular Talkboy device, brought him an estimated $202.5 million in additional income on top of his base pay, resulting in total earnings of approximately $207 million from the film [1].
| Component | Percentage / Amount | |---------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Net profit share | 5% | | Merchandising royalty | 15% | | Total estimated earnings | Around $207 million including base salary and royalties |
The success of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York was evident at the box office, where it earned $356 million globally in 1992 [6]. The franchise continues to thrive, with the latest installment, Home Sweet Home Alone, released on Disney Plus in 2021. However, the reception for the new film was less than favorable [7].
The Talkboy, a product promoted in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, was a significant contributor to Culkin's earnings. He sold approximately 45 million units of the device, making him the highest-paid child actor in Hollywood history at the time [8]. Unfortunately, the Talkboy is now defunct [9].
In an interview with Sean Evans on Hot Ones, Culkin jokingly expressed his gratitude for the Talkboy sales, humorously mentioning his earnings and merchandising profits [5]. The original Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York are currently streaming on Disney Plus, giving fans a chance to revisit these classic films.
It's worth noting that Home Alone 3 was premiered in 1997, but it featured an all-new cast and had a modest box office return [10]. Despite this, Culkin's financial success from the first two films has ensured his lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
- Despite the less-than-favorable reception for the latest installment, Home Sweet Home Alone, the Home Alone franchise continues to thrive on Disney Plus, giving fans a chance to revisit the classic movies.
- The Talkboy, a product promoted in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, was a significant contributor to Macaulay Culkin's earnings, with the sale of approximately 45 million units making him the highest-paid child actor in Hollywood history at the time.
- In addition to his base salary, Macaulay Culkin's unique financial arrangement for Home Alone 2: Lost in New York included a 5% share of the net profits and 15% of the merchandising revenue, which together resulted in total estimated earnings of around $207 million.
- The entertainment industry has been significantly impacted by Macaulay Culkin's financial success, as seen in his lucrative deal for Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, where he secured 5% of the net profits and 15% of the merchandising revenue related to the movie.
- The original Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York can be found streaming on Disney Plus, offering viewers a chance to enjoy these iconic action movies and relive the entertainment provided by the franchise.
