Peter and Kate McCallister

Home Alone

Played by John Heard and Catherine O'Hara

Outside of John Hughes's fantasy America, Peter and Kate McCallister would probably have been investigated for parental negligence. In Home Alone, they leave their youngest son (Macaulay Culkin) at home to fend off two notorious burglars. Then, in Home Alone 2, they ditch him in New York -- city of cranks, prostitutes, and evil hotel concierges. (Good thing the crazy pigeon ladies there are so friendly!) Yet, bad parents though they are, it's hard to find Peter and Kate truly detestable for abandoning little Kevin McCallister (twice, even) because... well, Kevin's a spoiled snot and he probably deserved it.