Why was Home Alone (1990) so popular?

[Mr. Smith]

Because it was a feel-good, in suburban Chicago, John Hughes production, and if his other productions are remembered, than why not this one?

Especially given the earnest effort put in by everyone on it, between the director, between Maculay Culkin who really gave it his all, between Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern as the burglars who were such bumbling psychos, and even between the adults and other kids who probably didn't need to give that much of a crap. And also John Williams churned out an excellent score worth listening to in its own right around Christmas.

And the result is a simple and charming little moral that still holds up, oh and the ridiculous but hilarious traps.

[Mr. Smith]

It was two movies in one.  You had the Hallmark stuff and the wacky slapstick.   So it had wide appeal.  Plus it's about a kid at Christmas.

And you literally said what I said in a paragraph in four sentences, kudos.