Reliving the 80s Magic of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Celebrate 80s nostalgia with the Griswolds and enjoy National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, the hilarious holiday classic that’s heartfelt and chaotic!

Thinking about the 80s brings back so much nostalgia, especially when it comes to iconic blockbuster films like the National Lampoon series. And, nothing says Christmas quite like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It wasn’t just another film, rather it was a rite of passage for anyone who grew up in the 80s. It was chock-full of chaos, family gatherings, and the pure absurdity of the holiday season. Of course, it was also released during the heyday of completely outlandish comedies, perfectly embodying the bold and unapologetic humor of the time.

It was back in 1989 when Chevy Chase stepped back on the big screen as Clark Griswold for 1/3 round of family misadventures. He was determined to give his family the ultimate Christmas experience. Whether you were wrapping yourself in tinsel or rocking out to Wham’s Last Christmas, this movie featured everything you were looking for in the 80s. It was chaotic, extremely loud, and filled with a lot of questionable characters. But, that’s actually what made the film so perfect.

Picture this: it’s 1989, and Chevy Chase’s Clark Griswold is back for his third round of family misadventures, determined to give his loved ones the ultimate Christmas experience. Whether you were wrapping yourself in tinsel or rocking out to Wham!’s “Last Christmas,” this movie had the same festive energy—chaotic, loud, and filled with questionable choices. But that’s what made it so perfect.

Basic Information

Here’s a quick rundown of the film:

• Title: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
• Release Date: December 1, 1989
• Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
• Main Cast:
  • Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold
  • Beverly D’Angelo as Ellen Griswold
  • Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie
  • Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki as the Griswold kids
• Genre: Comedy
• Runtime: 97 minutes
• Box Office: $73.3 million
• Home Video Release: 1990 (VHS), later on DVD, and Blu-ray

Plot Summary

Clark Griswold wants his family to have the perfect Christmas. And, he’s hoping that just once everything can go right for him. But, as everyone knows, the Griswold family is no perfect family.

Clark decides that he wants to deck his house with enough lights to blind the entire neighborhood. But, things start going awry when his unexpected family members start to show up. His cousin Eddie, who was recently replaced by a monkey, had nowhere else to turn. And, in no time, chaos descended on his home, creating a plethora of awkward moments and lots of laughs.

After all, the centerpiece of this wonderful Christmas film is the beauty of imperfection. Clark dreamt of a perfect holiday season but was sabotaged at every turn. Whether it’s an uninvited squirrel in the Christmas tree, an overcooked turkey, a sewer drain exploding, or way too many Christmas lights, nothing could ever go right. But, in the midst of all of this madness was a relatable warmth, and a reminder that family is the best part of the holiday season.

The Cultural Impact of Christmas Vacation

The 80s was full of comedies, and Christmas vacation took the spirit to a whole new level. The movie wasn’t just another 80s film, rather it quickly became a cult classic any seasonal tradition. Families from all over the country would gather around the TV and watch Clark Griswold’s antics as they played out, time after time.

And, no one who grew up in the 80s can forget these iconic scenes. There was the cultural lighting ceremony that caused a blackout across the entire city. Then there was the sledding stunt that redefined the phrase “too much speed”. And for the most unforgettable scene, you have cousin Eddie standing in a bathrobe shouting to everyone, “Merry Christmas! The shitter’s full!”

Christmas Vacation captured the essence of 80s humor. It was larger-than-life, completely absurd, and unapologetically bold. It was a period of time when Chevy Chase was at his peak. He delivered physical comedy and deadpan lines with effortless charm. Throughout the 80s and into the 90s, the Griswold family became a symbol of the dysfunction we secretly love about our own families.

Production Background

The film almost never happened. John Hughes, who was the mastermind behind The Breakfast Club as well as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, had written the script. He actually adapted from a short story that he had published in the National Lampoon Magazine. He was able to perfectly blend heartfelt family moments with over-the-top humor. And it was this blending that gave the movie its unique edge.

The person who had been tasked with bringing John Hughes’s latest film to the big screen was a new director, Jeremiah S. Chechik. And, although the Griswold household looked like a normal cozy suburban dream, they chose to film the movie and California, far away from the winter wonderland they tried to create. In fact, in order to mimic the snow, they faked it using soap flakes and potato flakes. Yes, the set smelled like instant mashed potatoes.

Then there was the iconic lighting scene. That moment, when Clark Griswold finally gets the lights to work. And, that moment when the house looks like it’s been set ablaze by a thousand suns, actually took days to set up. There is no CGI, rather, more than 25,000 individual balls were used in the stunt.

The Reception and Legacy of Christmas Vacation

Naturally, when Christmas Vacation first hit the theaters, and received mixed reactions from the critics. Some simply love the humor and festive spirit. While others thought that it was just too over-the-top. But, the audiences ignored the critics and flooded the theaters. It ended up becoming one of the highest-grossing comedies of the year.

Today, the film is a holiday classic. And, it’s the type of film that you can’t stop quoting. With each passing year, the movie only gets better, with people trying to mimic and pay homage to the film, by wearing ugly sweaters with Clark’s face on it or trying to match cousin Eddie’s costume for the holiday party.

The Very Christmas Vacation FAQ

Is Christmas Vacation a sequel?

Yes. Christmas Vacation is the third installment in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series. And, although it’s a sequel, you don’t have to watch the first two in order to enjoy this film. Each of the films in the series can be watched independently from one another without getting lost.

Where can I watch it today?

Although it’s possible to find DVDs available, you will generally find Christmas Vacation on your favorite streaming platform.

What’s with Cousin Eddie’s RV?

Cousin Eddie’s RV is purely iconic. Just like Eddie himself, it is a symbol of his extremely chaotic yet lovable personality. After all, who can’t feel sorry for someone who is bested by an orangutan?

Did the actors really decorate that house?

No, the actors did not decorate the house personally. Instead, an entire professional crew took over the task. There were more than 25,000 lights strung in order to achieve that epic glow. And no, it did not actually take out the power for the entire city.

Is it suitable for kids?

For the most part, the film is suitable for kids. There are plenty of jokes, and some of them might fly right over their heads. But, there are also a few jokes that are a bit risqué.

Key Takeaways

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a nostalgic journey back to the untamed 80s. When films were wild, bold, and unapologetically funny. The movie is all about chasing perfection, embracing the chaos of life, and finding humor in all of our imperfections.

And, that humor is timeless. The characters in the film were unforgettable, and the lessons about family, resilience, and letting go of unrealistic expectations are just as relevant today as they were in the 80s. So, grab a bottle of eggnog, cozy up by your fire, and let the Griswolds remind you why the holidays are the most magical time of year. And always remember, keep smiling.