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While Christmas Vacation may not be the most disciplined comedy, it's got enough laughs and good cheer to make for a solid seasonal treat. Read critic reviews

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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Videos

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Movie Info

As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife, Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo), and children, as he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things go awry quickly. His hick cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. Even worse, Clark's employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs.
  • Rating:
    PG-13
  • Genre:
    comedy, other
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Jeremiah S. Chechik
  • Producer:
    John Hughes, Tom Jacobson
  • Writer:
    John Hughes
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $70.0M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Warner Brothers, Hughes Entertainment
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Stereo, Dolby
  • Aspect Ratio:
    35mm

Cast & Crew

Chevy Chase
Clark Wilhelm Griswold, Jr.
Beverly D'Angelo
Ellen Griswold
Randy Quaid
Cousin Eddie Johnson
Diane Ladd
Nora Griswold
John Randolph
Clark Wilhelm Griswold, Sr.
E.G. Marshall
Art Smith
Doris Roberts
Frances Smith
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Margo Chester
Mae Questel
Aunt Bethany
William Hickey
Uncle Lewis
Jeremiah S. Chechik
Director
John Hughes
Writer
William S. Beasley
Associate Producer
Mauri Syd Gayton
Associate Producer
John Hughes
Producer
Tom Jacobson
Producer
Matty Simmons
Executive Producer
Ramey E. Ward
Associate Producer
Daniel Grodnik
Executive Producer
Angelo Badalamenti
Original Music
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News & Interviews for National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

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Critic Reviews for National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

All Critics (47) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (32) | Rotten (15)

View All Critic Reviews (47)

Audience Reviews for National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

  • Dec 11, 2015
    Christmas Vacation is an occasionally charming dysfunctional family holiday film that is nonetheless not as funny as it could be. It doesn't quite reach the Christmas classic heights it could have. Rating: 53
    Bradley J Super Reviewer
  • Dec 17, 2012
    A solid holiday film, but an inconsistent one at that. It's also a movie whose humor, at times, leaves a lot to be desired, like the sled scene and large amounts of time time where nothing really funny happens. I still think it is a fun film, if you want to have a few laughs this holiday season but it's not something that will stick with you forever. Chevy Chase is funny, but the film, and the franchise in general, is mostly about the situations Clark finds himself in and there's not really much that would separate this film than, say, Christmas with the Kranks. Well other than the fact that one is solid and the other sucked. You can figure out which is which. Really I don't have much to say about this film, it speaks for itself and it's solid escapist entertainment during the holiday break. The film doesn't really offer a lot in the way of material that you can dissect or analyze. Still it's a fun flick.
    Jesse O Super Reviewer
  • Dec 22, 2011
    An outwardly bizzare and outrageous Christmas classic and one of my favorites. The best thing about this movie is that though it fancies itself a bad movie with hammy acting and a plotline filled with unpredictable disaster, it had enough laughs to make it great. It has everything a dysfunctional family could hope for, including an old aunt with short term memory loss, uptight neighbors, over dose on decorations, and everyone else showing half hearted emotion that strangely comes together at the end. Too many ROFLcopters come into play for anyone to seriously knock this movie.
    Jackson W Super Reviewer
  • Dec 20, 2011
    It is, without a doubt, the funniest family Christmas film of all time. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a modern classic that's good family fun. Writer John Hughes brilliantly captures the American family, and creates fun, authentic characters that are relatable. Chevy Chase leads an all-star ensemble cast that includes Beverly D'Angelo, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Randy Quaid; all of whom give great performances. It's a near perfect holiday film with a positive message and a ton of laughs. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a wonderful film that's sure to brighten up the holidays.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
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