Kevin McCallister’s Home Alone Groceries Cost $19.83 in 1990 — Here’s What They’d Cost in 2025 🇨🇦

When Kevin McCallister bravely marched into the grocery store alone in Home Alone, his cart total came to $19.83 in 1990.

Fast-forward more than three decades, and that same grocery run would give today’s shoppers serious sticker shock.

A YouTuber recreated Kevin’s shopping list in 2024, buying modern versions of the same items. The total came to $55.99 USD, which works out to about $75.60 CAD.

That’s an increase of more than 180% since 1990 — and yes, our wallets felt that too.

Kevin’s Grocery List: Then vs. Now

Here’s what Kevin grabbed, aisle by aisle, and what those items cost in Canadian dollars.

🥖 Pantry Basics

• Large loaf of bread: about $3.90 CAD
• Half-gallon of whole milk: roughly $4.05 CAD
• Orange juice (on sale): around $3.40 CAD

🍝 Frozen Favourites

• Kraft Mac and Cheese (single serving): about $5.10 CAD
• Stouffer’s turkey dinner: roughly $5.40 CAD

🧻 Household Essentials

• Toilet paper: about $10.80 CAD
• Cling wrap: around $6.05 CAD

🧺 Laundry Day

• Tide laundry detergent: approximately $21.60 CAD
• Snuggle dryer sheets: about $5.65 CAD

🪖 Bonus Item

• Toy soldiers substitute: roughly $5.40 CAD

2024 total: $75.60 CAD
1990 total (adjusted to today’s CAD): roughly $27 CAD

The Biggest Price Jumps

Some items barely flinched, while others absolutely ballooned.

• Laundry detergent was the biggest hit, climbing to over $21 CAD. New formulas, eco packaging, and brand upgrades all added to the cost.
• Toilet paper soared past $10 CAD, thanks in part to pandemic shortages that pushed prices up permanently.
• Even basics like milk, bread, and juice now cost two to three times more than they did in Kevin’s day.

Frozen dinners held up better than expected, staying under $6 CAD, but still far pricier than in 1990.

RELATED: What Kevin’s Groceries Would Cost Today If He Were Still “Home Alone” (2023)

Why Groceries Cost So Much More

Inflation explains part of the jump. Prices overall rose significantly between 1990 and today. But groceries climbed even faster due to:

• Higher transportation and fuel costs
• Extreme weather is affecting crops
• Increased labour costs
• Supply chain disruptions
• Fewer grocery chains are competing in many areas

In short, food prices didn’t just rise — they sprinted.

So, What Would Kevin Pay in 2025?

With food prices continuing to rise through 2025, Kevin’s grocery bill would now land between $77 and $78 CAD.

That’s nearly four times what he paid as an eight-year-old left home alone with a credit card and confidence.

Location Still Matters

Just like today, prices depend heavily on where you shop.

Discount stores and big chains usually charge less, while specialty and premium grocers can push that same list $10 or more higher. Sales, loyalty points, and coupons can soften the blow — but only so much.

Bottom line?

Kevin survived burglars, traps, and a haunted basement. But in 2025, it’s the grocery bill that would really test him 🛒😬