The Rise and Fall of National Lampoon's Vacation Franchise

The Origins of National Lampoon's Vacation

National Lampoon's Vacation is a classic series of comedy films that has left an indelible mark on the world of comedy and cinema. The original National Lampoon's Vacation movie, written by The Breakfast Club's John Hughes and directed by Harold Ramis, was a landmark production that showcased an embarrassing wealth of comic talent. Starring Chevy Chase at the height of his stardom, the film followed the hilarious misadventures of the Griswold family on a disastrous road trip, and its surprise success soon led to a franchise.

Ellen looking up at Clark in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Following the success of the original, National Lampoon's European Vacation quickly followed in 1985, and the third installment, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, is often considered the best of the series. The franchise became a stable platform for Chevy Chase and co-star Beverly D'Angelo, but by the end of the '90s, the series was essentially done. It wasn't until 2015 that a reboot, starring Christina Applegate and Ed Helms, brought the franchise back to the spotlight, albeit briefly.

The Griswold family in Christmas Vacation

The Fallout with National Lampoon

By the late '90s, both Chevy Chase and National Lampoon had experienced a decline in popularity. The fourth installment, Vegas Vacation, marked a significant turning point for the franchise as it was the first to drop the National Lampoon branding. This decision was a result of a falling out between the producers and National Lampoon, signaling the end of an era for the series.

The Griswold family leaving Vegas in Vegas Vacation's ending

The declining quality of National Lampoon's output and the waning popularity of Chevy Chase likely contributed to the decision to part ways with the branding. Vegas Vacation, although still featuring Chase and D'Angelo, was considered the weakest of the original run of films, and its lukewarm reception at the box office confirmed that audiences had moved on from the Griswolds and Chevy Chase as a leading man.

The kidnapping scene in Christmas Vacation.

The Legacy and Future of the Franchise

Following the fallout with producers, the National Lampoon branding was notably absent from subsequent films, with the final entry, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure, failing to capture the essence of the original films. The absence of the branding, coupled with the poor reception of the spinoff, further contributed to the decline of the franchise.

Clark smiling with a Santa hat on in Christmas Vacation

The 2015 reboot, titled Vacation, marked a revival of the franchise after a 12-year hiatus. However, the film, despite its success, received mixed reviews and was criticized for its mean-spirited humor, which felt at odds with the spirit of the previous films. The lack of appetite for a direct sequel and the absence of new National Lampoon Vacation movies in development indicate a hiatus for the franchise, with no clear plans for a future installment.

Rusty and his family arrive at Walley World in Vacation 2015