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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Reviews

1989 Certificate PG
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 6083 members

The third instalment in National Lampoon's 'Vacations' series, this film sees the Griswold family attempting to have a good old-fashioned festive get-together. But with Clark's (Chevy Chase) redneck cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his clan dropping by unannounced, there won't be much peace and goodwill this holiday season. Read more

Starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, Diane Ladd
Director Jeremiah S. Chechik
Genres Comedy

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  • Critics' reviews (2) of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

    View all
  • 2 stars out of 5

    One suspects that actress Juliette Lewis leaves this one off her CV, as might director Jeremiah Chechik, who went on to make the infinitely more enjoyable Benny and Joon. Following on from its funnier predecessors, National Lampoon's Vacation and European Vacation, the plot again revolves around the Griswold family, led by Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo. This time, having already destroyed an American theme park and most of Europe in the previous movies, the family stays at home, and, of course, is beset by a series of disasters during the Christmas holiday. Silly in the extreme, it is only saved by Randy Quaid's performance as an obnoxious relative.

    • Radio Times
  • Unsubtle comedy that always goes for the easy laugh.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Most helpful members' reviews (3) of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

    View all
  • 6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    What are you waiting for? This is a must for any fans of the Lampoons films or fans of Chevy Chase. This is one of the best of the vacation series. A comedy classic.

      • Andrew#54 from BIRMINGHAM
  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Chevy Chase & His Vacations Rule!

    whether its a christmas, european, vegas or a trip to wallyworld u r guaranteed laughs and comedy at its best.

      • Kennedy Bakirciogl? from Sweden
  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    THE BEST XMAS MOVIE EVER

    This movie really gets you into the christmas spirit.Probably the best xmas movie of all time - for all ages - DISREGUARD THE RADIO TIMES 'BBC' CRITICS REVIEW - Probably Wriiten by ebineezer scrooge - after all what do they know - apart from sending their boot boys round to collect the TV TAX LICENCE FEE.

      • A customer from Wigan
  • Most recent members' reviews (2) of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    This film is set to become a christmas classic (if it hasn't already done so). We are back with the Griswold family as they get ready for christmas in this great family comedy. There is some beautiful scenery and camera work setting this whole story in a truely magical winter wonderland. A MUST for every family to watch at christmas, as this will certainly fill you with Christmas Spirit

    For the film buff the director/stars commentary is worth watching to gain further insights in to how this film was created and turned into a classic

      • A customer from LINCOLN
  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    more comic capers from chevy chase and co, a must in xmas stocking at xmas,

    great film, i rate this film, in my top 20,s

      • dal#1 from SUFFOLK
  • 6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    What are you waiting for? This is a must for any fans of the Lampoons films or fans of Chevy Chase. This is one of the best of the vacation series. A comedy classic.

      • Andrew#54 from BIRMINGHAM
  • 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Chevy Chase & His Vacations Rule!

    whether its a christmas, european, vegas or a trip to wallyworld u r guaranteed laughs and comedy at its best.

      • Kennedy Bakirciogl? from Sweden
  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    THE BEST XMAS MOVIE EVER

    This movie really gets you into the christmas spirit.Probably the best xmas movie of all time - for all ages - DISREGUARD THE RADIO TIMES 'BBC' CRITICS REVIEW - Probably Wriiten by ebineezer scrooge - after all what do they know - apart from sending their boot boys round to collect the TV TAX LICENCE FEE.

      • A customer from Wigan
  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    more comic capers from chevy chase and co, a must in xmas stocking at xmas,

    great film, i rate this film, in my top 20,s

      • dal#1 from SUFFOLK
  • 3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    A Good Laugh

    This is a funny, light hearted Christmas movie in the National Lampoon's style - so you know you're in for a treat. Highly recommended. Enjoy.

      • kmuki from Surrey
  • 3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    OK

    This film is a good family movie. I watched it with my kids and they thought it was hilarious! One gag, after another, after another- and if you stop laughing half-way through, switch off your DVD 'cause it only gets funnier!

    For me- the date that it was made put me off renting it- but my urge to see how hilarious this "NL" was compared to "NL: European Vacation, overruled (and I'm so glad that it did!).

    The characters are the same as the newer "NL" but younger (and played by different people). It is all about a dad, who wants the perfect Family Christmas- but as always, everything goes wrong. At times the story-line was predictable, but that's what makes it so funny.

    So if you like funny, heart-warming, and at times unrealistic films- this is for you.

      • Hunte from Essex
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    An extremely funny movie

    This movie is one of Chevy Chase's best!! Here he is planning the ultimate family christmas, and of course it doesn't go as planned! The opening scene is just fabulous...where the family is out looking for the perfect christmas tree....

    Also they encounter the struggle of putting up christmas lights outside, and of course the unexpected christmas guests.

    The movie is REALLY funny,but it also gives you the warm fuzzy feelings of family being together at the holidays. Perfect for kids and grown-ups!!

      • daisy5uk from BRIGG
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Laughed until I cried

    I do not think I have ever watched anything so funny in my entire life. I literally could not stop laughing. I love this film and even relaying the Griswalds antics o family and friends brought a smile to their faces.

    This is a must watch film.

      • Jan66 from Oxon
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    brilliant

    the best xmas movie of them all. chevy chase is excellent as the drip dad clark. an absolute must see

      • A customer from warrington
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    This film is set to become a christmas classic (if it hasn't already done so). We are back with the Griswold family as they get ready for christmas in this great family comedy. There is some beautiful scenery and camera work setting this whole story in a truely magical winter wonderland. A MUST for every family to watch at christmas, as this will certainly fill you with Christmas Spirit

    For the film buff the director/stars commentary is worth watching to gain further insights in to how this film was created and turned into a classic

      • A customer from LINCOLN
  • Critics' reviews (2)

  • 2 stars out of 5

    One suspects that actress Juliette Lewis leaves this one off her CV, as might director Jeremiah Chechik, who went on to make the infinitely more enjoyable Benny and Joon. Following on from its funnier predecessors, National Lampoon's Vacation and European Vacation, the plot again revolves around the Griswold family, led by Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo. This time, having already destroyed an American theme park and most of Europe in the previous movies, the family stays at home, and, of course, is beset by a series of disasters during the Christmas holiday. Silly in the extreme, it is only saved by Randy Quaid's performance as an obnoxious relative.

    • Radio Times
  • Unsubtle comedy that always goes for the easy laugh.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide

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      In this, the third in the series of National Lampoon's 'Vacation' films, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is trying to put on a nice, old-fashioned Christmas for his family. But his plans are soon scuppered when his in-laws and redneck cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid) show up on his doorstep unannounced. ...

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    • In this, the third in the series of National Lampoon's 'Vacation' films, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is trying to put on a nice, old-fashioned Christmas for his family. But his plans are soon ...

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    • The third instalment in National Lampoon's 'Vacations' series, this film sees the Griswold family attempting to have a good old-fashioned festive get-together. But with Clark's (Chevy Chase) redneck ...

Rating breakdown

6,083 Member ratings
  • 100
1,002
  • 90
646
  • 80
1,089
  • 70
984
  • 60
893
  • 50
491
  • 40
347
  • 30
237
  • 20
254
  • 10
140

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