The holidays are a time for all sorts of family fun, from decorating the tree to getting together with friends. But if you’re looking for something a little more serious, a classic holiday movie can be a great way to spend the time with your loved ones. And there’s no better way to get in the mood than by watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
The Chevy Chase-led Griswold family gets in the spirit of the season in this 1989 comedy that’s based on a story published in National Lampoon magazine. The sequel to two earlier Vacation films, this 97-minute installment was directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik and starred Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki and Randy Quaid.
This film is a must-watch for anyone who loves the Holidays, and if you’ve never seen it before, you’re missing out! It’s a cult favorite and one of the best Christmas movies of all time. It’s full of fun set-pieces and perfect comic timing from Chevy Chase, making it a must-see for the whole family.
How To Watch It Online
You can stream National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on many different streaming services. These include Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, iTunes and YouTube. You can also purchase it on Blu-ray or DVD.
If you have a Netflix account, the aforementioned services will offer you the option to watch it for free. If you don’t, you can subscribe to a live TV service such as Hulu + Live TV or Sling TV for about $70 per month. You can watch this and other popular films on these services without cable for a small fee.
It’s hard to say what the worst thing about National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is, because it’s full of so many fun moments that you’ll find yourself laughing a mile wide. But there are some glaring errors and a lack of direction. The script by John Hughes is a disjointed collection of running gags, and the film looks tacky with its flimsy props and blurry cinematography.
But there are plenty of moments that will make you laugh, including a cat wrapped up in a box (with “Happy Birthday” paper) that meets an unfortunate end and the sight of an asshole in his bathrobe emptying a chemical toilet into the sewer. There’s also a fantastic theme song that will have you singing along until the end.
The movie’s biggest misstep is a maudlin and unpleasant subplot, which involves Clark’s skinflint boss. The film’s second half is more enjoyable, thanks to the presence of Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie.
You’ll find the Christmas Vacation movie on HBO Max and other premium streaming services such as fuboTV, hoopla and Showtime. Those services will start at $9.99 per month, but the cost will increase over time.
Christmas Vacation is a 97-minute movie that’s full of wacky holiday fun, so it’s no wonder that this film is such a hit amongst holiday lovers. If you’re looking for a Christmas movie that will be a lot of fun for the whole family, consider checking out this ode to Clark Griswold and his misadventures in the season.
