National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
It's Christmastime, 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.
Critics Sentiment
Eddie Johnson arrives unannounced with his family in an RV
Clark receives a Jelly of the Month Club membership instead of his bonus
The film's biggest swing occurs from Clark's devastating bonus disappointment to the chaotic squirrel sequence that follows, jumping from despair back to pure slapstick comedy.
Christmas Vacation follows a classic holiday comedy arc that starts moderately, builds tremendous momentum with Randy Quaid's scene-stealing arrival as Cousin Eddie, and maintains strong comedic energy through escalating slapstick sequences. While critics noted uneven pacing and some tired elements, the consensus celebrates it as a worthy entry in the Vacation series with genuine holiday heart beneath the chaos.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 28
Chevy Chase
Clark Griswold
Beverly D'Angelo
Ellen Griswold
Juliette Lewis
Audrey Griswold
Johnny Galecki
Rusty Griswold
John Randolph
Clark Griswold Sr.
Diane Ladd
Nora
E.G. Marshall
Art
Doris Roberts
Francis
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Margo Chester
Randy Quaid
Cousin Eddie
Miriam Flynn
Cousin Catherine
Mae Questel
Aunt Bethany
Nicholas Guest
Todd Chester
Cody Burger
Rocky
Ellen Hamilton Latzen
Ruby Sue
William Hickey
Uncle Lewis
Sam McMurray
Bill
Nicolette Scorsese
Mary
Keith MacKechnie
Delivery Boy
Brian Doyle-Murray
Frank Shirley
Crew
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