‘That was me’ – Macaulay Culkin says his son confuses dad’s role in Home Alone with his own memories

Sophie Collins

As the holiday season approaches, many of us are gearing up for our annual rewatch of beloved Christmas classics

Among the top contenders is Home Alone, the 1990 family comedy that has become a holiday staple over the decades.

The iconic film, which first graced screens more than 30 years ago, starred a young Macaulay Culkin alongside Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara, and John Heard.

The story follows eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Culkin), who is accidentally left behind when his family jets off to France for Christmas.

Initially thrilled by his newfound freedom, Kevin soon finds himself defending his home from burglars in a series of clever – and hilarious – booby traps.

But for Macaulay Culkin’s eldest son, Dakota, it seems the line between fiction and reality has blurred.

The actor recently shared a charming story about his three-year-old, who appears to believe that he starred in the holiday classic.

In a conversation with E! News, Culkin, who shares two sons with fiancée Brenda Song, explained how Dakota sometimes confuses his dad’s role in the film with his own memories.

“He thinks he’s Kevin,” Culkin said with a laugh. “I’ll ask him, ‘Do you remember going down the stairs on the sled?’ and he’s like, ‘Mmhmm, yep. Sure do.’

“Then I’ll ask, ‘Do you remember having yellow hair?’ and he’s like, ‘Uh-huh, yep.’”

The toddler has even gone so far as to claim he personally fended off the burglars. Naturally, Culkin couldn’t let that one slide.

“I told him, ‘You’re a lying liar who lies. That was me!’” he joked.

Macaulay isn’t the only Culkin reminiscing about Home Alone this holiday season. His younger brother, Kieran Culkin, also reflected on the film during a recent chat with E! News.

The Succession star, who played Kevin’s cousin Fuller in the movie, admitted he’s been hesitant to let his own kids, five-year-old Kinsey and three-year-old Wilder, watch the film.

“There are some scary parts,” Kieran explained. “For the three-year-old, there’s the tarantula scene and the guy at the end who says, ‘I’m gonna bite off all your fingers.’ That’s a lot for a little kid.”

However, Kieran hinted that this might be the year he introduces the family to the McCallisters’ misadventures.

“We think they might be ready for Home Alone this year,” he said. “If not, then maybe next year.”