The Ultimate Guide to Watching National Lampoon's Vacation

The Legacy of National Lampoon's Vacation

National Lampoon's Vacation is a vintage comedy franchise that began in the 1980s, featuring the comedic genius of Chevy Chase as the iconic patriarch, Clark Griswold. The lack of numerals in the titles makes it tricky to know the viewing order, but the series has become a cult classic loved by many. Chevy Chase's career as a comedy icon was evident from his early appearances on the first season of Saturday Night Live, and he went on to star in a string of movie hits, including Foul Play, Caddyshack, and Fletch. However, despite his success, Chase also gained a reputation for being difficult to work with, which affected his later career.

The Griswolds in the car in National Lampoon's Vacation

Directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes, the first film detailed a disastrous family vacation led by Chase's optimistic patriarch, Clark Griswold. The Vacation movies became a reliable franchise for Chase and co-star Beverly D'Angelo, with both returning for every subsequent installment, except for the black sheep of the saga. The series has had its share of weaker outings, but it's the rare example where many fans consider the third installment, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, to be the best.

The Griswold family standing outside in Christmas Vacation

The franchise's enduring popularity is a testament to its blend of dark humor and genuine warmth, making the Griswold family oddly endearing. From the success of the original film to the 2015 reboot, National Lampoon's Vacation has left an indelible mark on comedy cinema, offering audiences a mix of laughter, chaos, and heartwarming moments.

The Griswolds in Christmas Vacation

Vacation Movies In Release Order

John Hughes based National Lampoon's Vacation on a short story he penned for the titular magazine, and the film proved to be a huge success upon release. For Chase, Vacation became a franchise he could dip in and out of periodically throughout the '80s and '90s. Of the six entries in the franchise, the fourth and sixth outings, Vegas Vacation and the 2015 reboot, are notable for lacking the National Lampoon branding.

The Griswold family looking while in France in European Vacation

Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo reunited for the 2010 short film Hotel Hell Vacation. According to a 2015 article by Slate, Warner Bros opted to remove the National Lampoon title from Vegas Vacation due to a falling out between the studio and the sequel's producers. As for the 2015 film, National Lampoon had nothing to do with its development. Like any long-running franchise, it has its share of weaker outings, though many fans consider National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation to be the best of the series.

The release order of the Vacation movies is as follows:

Clark and Ellen standing outside in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation with a house full of Christmas lights behind them

Vacation Movies In Chronological Order Of Events

The first entry in the franchise, National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), is the quintessential family road trip movie, where Clark and Ellen take their children on a cross-country outing to visit the suspiciously Disneyland-esque theme park Walley World. The Harold Ramis-directed movie balances dark humor with genuine sweetness, making the Griswold family oddly endearing.

The Griswolds standing by their stationwagon in National Lampoon's Vacation

The original was a huge success, leading to the quick production of National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985), where the family wins a two-week trip to Europe and visits London, Germany, and Italy. This entry leans heavily on farce and, while it scores some laughs, it's not as funny as its predecessor. The movie recast the Griswold children and was a success but still grossed less than the original.

The Griswolds in Paris in National Lampoon's European Vacation

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) saw Hughes return to pen the screenplay, and it's now considered the high point of the saga. It captures the feel of a classic Christmas movie and features the starriest duo to take on the roles of the Griswold children. The movie delivers perfectly pitched comic performances and is hailed for its writing and capturing of the holiday spirit.

Vegas Vacation (1997) marked the end of the Chevy Chase-fronted era and was the first to drop National Lampoon from the title. As the Griswolds head to Vegas, they get involved in a tiresome series of events, and the sequel was a letdown that received largely poor reviews.

The Griswold family leaving Vegas in Vegas Vacation's ending

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure (2003) is a TV movie spinoff from the third movie, with almost no laughs and some terrible greenscreen effects. It remains the black sheep of the franchise and the last outing with National Lampoon in the title.

Cousin Eddie and the cast of Christmas Vacation 2

The 2015 reboot, Vacation, features Ed Helms as the adult Rusty, who takes his family on a trip to Walley World. While it did solid business, its oddly mean-spirited tone and lack of wit saw it greeted with mixed reviews, and it has yet to receive a sequel.

Rusty and his family arrive at Walley World in Vacation 2015