National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Play trailer

2:13

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

PG-13

1989

1h 37m

Holiday

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

58 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

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 Critics Reviews

William Thomas

Empire Magazine

08/12/2020

4/5

If it doesn't make you at least giggle, then you clearly don't understand the true meaning of the festive season.

Go to Full Review

Time Out Staff

Time Out

08/12/2020

4/5

Sure, it's crude, episodic and half the jokes don't work, but 'Christmas Vacation' may be the only modern Christmas comedy which really stands up to repeat viewings.

Go to Full Review

Steve Simels

Entertainment Weekly

08/12/2020

Chase's befuddled Dad remains a genuinely amusing creation, and the sight gags are impeccably timed.

Go to Full Review

Alan French

Sunshine State Cineplex

Dec 15

9/10

With a cast that has (mostly) aged well and some truly unhinged humor, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation has earned its legendary status.

Go to Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

12/22/2024

B-

A goofy satire of the middle-class WASP suburban holiday scene.

Go to Full Review

Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

12/07/2024

It really delivers on the laughs. One of the best holiday comedies ever made

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Jennifer M

Dec 26

We watch it every year, classic!

See more

Grace G

Dec 26

Classic, solid, family fun. Cheers to when Hollywood was original and a global powerhouse.

See more

tom and Jared

Dec 25

Way better on the big screen.

See more

Joshua H

Dec 16

A John Hughes classic.

See more

Todd

Dec 11

This is a treasured holiday movie that has to be seen in the theater atleast once. Bingo!

See more

sil

Dec 7

Great Holiday Movie, a must see every year

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Jeremiah S. Chechik

Director

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.

Trapped in Paradise

10%

42%

Trapped in Paradise

Watchlist

Mixed Nuts

16%

48%

Mixed Nuts

Watchlist

Home for the Holidays

63%

71%

Home for the Holidays

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Home for the Holidays

Surviving Christmas

8%

31%

Surviving Christmas

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Surviving Christmas

National Lampoon's European Vacation

37%

49%

National Lampoon's European Vacation

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

National Lampoon’s Best Movies

Five Favorite Films with White Reindeer Director Zach Clark

Five Favorite Films with Warwick Davis

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: Trailer 1

2:13

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

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.

Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Producer: John Hughes, Tom Jacobson
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Hughes Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Holiday, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 1, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 22, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $70.0M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo, Dolby
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

Most Popular at Home Now