Kate Hudson continues to receive residual payments from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York despite not actually appearing in the film. She was part of a children's choir that recorded songs for the 1992 sequel's soundtrack, and this minor contribution entitles her to ongoing compensation whenever the film is broadcast or streamed. The article highlights how the streaming era has transformed residual payments, with actors receiving significantly less compensation under on-demand models compared to traditional television reruns, which has become a contentious issue throughout Hollywood.

Hudson receives only a few pence per payment—she joked about receiving "two-cent residuals" and previously mentioned getting "ten cents every once in a while," with the amount varying depending on how frequently the film is shown on different platforms. By contrast, star Macaulay Culkin negotiated a far more lucrative deal, securing a percentage of the film's profits and merchandise sales in perpetuity, which has made him wealthy enough that he has never needed to maintain an active acting career. Whilst Hudson's earnings from the film are negligible, they demonstrate how even minor contributions to successful films can generate supplementary income over decades.