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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

PG-13 | | Comedy | 1 December 1989 (USA)
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Poster
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The Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.

Director:

(as Jeremiah Chechik)

Writer:

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Clark
... Ellen
... Audrey
... Rusty
... Clark, Sr.
... Nora
... Art
... Francis
... Cousin Eddie Johnson
Miriam Flynn ... Cousin Catherine Johnson
Cody Burger ... Rocky
Ellen Latzen ... Ruby Sue (as Ellen Hamilton Latzen)
... Lewis
... Bethany
... Bill
See full cast »
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Storyline

It's Christmas time and the Griswolds are preparing for a family seasonal celebration, but things never run smoothly for Clark, his wife Ellen and their two kids. Clark's continual bad luck is worsened by his obnoxious family guests, but he manages to keep going knowing that his Christmas bonus is due soon. Written by Rob Hartill

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

pantyhose | christmas bonus | next door neighbor | family dinner | reciting the pledge of allegience | See All (37) »

Taglines:

Yule crack up! See more »

Genres:

Comedy

Certificate:

PG-13 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

1 December 1989 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Christmas Vacation  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Budget:

$27,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,700,000, 3 December 1989

Gross USA:

$71,320,000
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Rocky (Cody Burger) speaks only once at the end of the movie, briefly, when he and Ruby Sue are mistaking the light at the sewage treatment plant for Santa Claus. See more »

Goofs

Just before the SWAT team break down the door, the camera clearly shows an already damaged door a fraction of second before they break it down. See more »

Quotes

Audrey: Do you sleep with your brother? Do you know how sick and twisted that is?
Ellen: Well, I'm sleeping with your father. Don't be so dramatic.
See more »

Crazy Credits

"THE END" is lit up in Christmas lights. One of the bulbs pops, making the lit up "THE END" go dark. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Bum Reviews: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (2012) See more »

Soundtracks

Hallelujah Chorus
(uncredited)
Written by George Frideric Handel
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Eddie know where Clark's boss lived?
Q: What is the Christmas gift that Clark gives his boss?
Q: How many National Lampoon movies are there that feature the Griswolds?
See more »

User Reviews

 
Funny, Funny, Funny
24 January 2002 | by – See all my reviews

This is the one Christmas movie that I don't anyone can ever get tired of. Chevy Chase returns in the third installment of the Vacation series as Clarke W. Griswold as he tries desperately to maintain his sanity during the holidays with all of his relatives coming to stay under his roof and enduring all the mishaps along the way.

This is the funniest film in the series plain and simple. Chevy Chase has never been better. Christmas Vacation is filled with countless jokes and gags that it's impossible not to laugh.

10/10
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