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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

  • 1989
  • PG-13
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
204K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,518
39
Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, and John Randolph in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer2:19
4 Videos
99+ Photos
Comedy

The Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.The Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.The Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.

  • Director
    • Jeremiah S. Chechik
  • Writer
    • John Hughes
  • Stars
    • Chevy Chase
    • Beverly D'Angelo
    • Juliette Lewis
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    204K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,518
    39
    • Director
      • Jeremiah S. Chechik
    • Writer
      • John Hughes
    • Stars
      • Chevy Chase
      • Beverly D'Angelo
      • Juliette Lewis
    • 439User reviews
    • 125Critic reviews
    • 49Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos4

    National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
    Trailer 2:19
    Watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
    10 Top-Rated Holiday Classics to Stream Now
    Clip 2:15
    Watch 10 Top-Rated Holiday Classics to Stream Now
    The Worst Gifts in Our Favorite Holiday Films
    Clip 2:37
    Watch The Worst Gifts in Our Favorite Holiday Films
    What's Your Favorite Scene From a Holiday Movie?
    Video 3:33
    Watch What's Your Favorite Scene From a Holiday Movie?

    Photos159

    Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis, and Johnny Galecki in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
    Chevy Chase and William Hickey in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
    Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Diane Ladd, Doris Roberts, E.G. Marshall, and John Randolph in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
    Chevy Chase in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
    Doris Roberts at an event for National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
    National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
    National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
    Chevy Chase in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
    Chevy Chase in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
    Chevy Chase in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
    Chevy Chase in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
    Chevy Chase in National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Chevy Chase
    Chevy Chase
    • Clark Griswold
    Beverly D'Angelo
    Beverly D'Angelo
    • Ellen Griswold
    Juliette Lewis
    Juliette Lewis
    • Audrey Griswold
    Johnny Galecki
    Johnny Galecki
    • Rusty Griswold
    John Randolph
    John Randolph
    • Clark Griswold Sr.
    Diane Ladd
    Diane Ladd
    • Nora Griswold
    E.G. Marshall
    E.G. Marshall
    • Art Smith
    Doris Roberts
    Doris Roberts
    • Frances Smith
    Randy Quaid
    Randy Quaid
    • Cousin Eddie Johnson
    Miriam Flynn
    Miriam Flynn
    • Cousin Catherine Johnson
    Cody Burger
    Cody Burger
    • Rocky Johnson
    Ellen Latzen
    Ellen Latzen
    • Ruby Sue Johnson
    • (as Ellen Hamilton Latzen)
    William Hickey
    William Hickey
    • Lewis
    Mae Questel
    Mae Questel
    • Bethany
    Sam McMurray
    Sam McMurray
    • Bill
    Nicholas Guest
    Nicholas Guest
    • Todd Chester
    Julia Louis-Dreyfus
    Julia Louis-Dreyfus
    • Margo Chester
    Nicolette Scorsese
    Nicolette Scorsese
    • Mary
    • Director
      • Jeremiah S. Chechik
    • Writer
      • John Hughes
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After failing to get the Christmas lights to work one last time, Clark Griswold takes his frustration out on the plastic decorations in the front yard. Chevy Chase actually broke his pinky finger while punching Santa Claus. He resorts to kicking and clubbing the decorations after that. The film kept rolling, and the take was used.
    • Goofs
      At one point when Snots the Dog is chasing the squirrel through the house, they run over the top of the dining table, and the food, plates, and silverware get demolished. A moment later, Clark is walking past the hallway leading to the kitchen with the table visible in the background. The tablecloth and setting are in pristine condition.
    • Quotes

      Eddie: You surprised?

      Clark: Surprised, Eddie? If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am right now.

    • Crazy credits
      The opening credits feature a cartoon of Santa delivering the Griswold family's Christmas presents while also getting electrocuted, hit by bricks, setting his pants on fire, falling into the snow and being chased by a rolling snowman head
    • Alternate versions
      To receive a PG certificate in the UK all cinema and video versions were cut by 2 secs to remove the swearing from 'We're gonna have the happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye.'
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Back to the Future Part II/All Dogs Go to Heaven/Henry V/Prancer/Sidewalk Stories (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Christmas Vacation
      Written by Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann

      Performed by Mavis Staples

      Courtesy of Paisley Park Records

    User reviews439

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Tis the season to be ...
    ... crazy? At least at the brink of madness at times. Chevy Chase as Mr. Griswold .. not few will remember those names. I reckon some might have wanted to be in the extended and already big Griswold family alltogether. Now I might have rewatched this out of season, but I do think it works no matter what time of the year it is.

    And that is what makes this a great comedy. Also the actors and the script involved! Some jokes may be a bit .. well don't be too woke about certain things or too PC. Also yes some are just plain silly and there is a lot of don't try this at home stuff. It's a movie, try to accept it (like when Chevy is in the attic and sets his chair in the one spot where it makes no sense at all, other than to get a laugh out of the audience).

    So great cast and good natured humor. What else do you need?
    helpful•23
    5
    • kosmasp
    • Jun 9, 2020

    Top picks

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    FAQ13

    • What kind of dog is Snots?
    • Is this movie a family movie?
    • What's the name of the woman who plays the "pool fantasy" woman?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 1, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Christmas Vacation
    • Filming locations
      • Marshall Field & Co. Department Store - 111 N. State Street, The Loop, Downtown, Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production companies
      • Hughes Entertainment
      • National Lampoon
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $28,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $74,515,899
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $11,750,203
      • Dec 3, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $74,534,399
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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