National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Kernel Score: 83% · 2,651 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Comedy
Released: 1989-11-30
Runtime: 97 minutes
Is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation worth watching?
Must-watch. Clark Griswold tries to give his family the perfect Christmas and everything goes wrong. The chaos is silly, quotable and still funny, which is why it's a holiday tradition for many.
Watch it if you
- love slapstick holiday comedy
- enjoy family-gathering chaos
- want something to rewatch every December
Skip it if you
- dislike slapstick and crude jokes
- want a sentimental holiday film
Best for: Christmas family night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
- Free with ads: Plex
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
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.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that this holiday comedy has crude humor and some mild language amid family chaos.
- Language: Some — Contains mild-to-moderate profanity typical of a PG-13 comedy.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Some — Includes drinking, particularly around holiday party scenes.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
If you liked National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) — 79%
- Holidate (2020) — 79%
- Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh (2008) — 79%
- Katy Perry: Part of Me (2012) — 81%
- The Nutty Professor (1996) — 49%
- Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas (2004) — 78%
- Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse (2001) — 74%
- The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021) — 83%
Director
Jeremiah S. Chechik
Cast
- Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold
- Beverly D'Angelo as Ellen Griswold
- Juliette Lewis as Audrey Griswold
- Johnny Galecki as Rusty Griswold
- John Randolph as Clark Griswold Sr.
- Diane Ladd as Nora
- E.G. Marshall as Art
- Doris Roberts as Francis
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Margo Chester
- Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation FAQ
Is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation worth watching?
Must-watch. Clark Griswold tries to give his family the perfect Christmas and everything goes wrong. The chaos is silly, quotable and still funny, which is why it's a holiday tradition for many.
Where can I watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on Plex and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation OK for kids?
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that this holiday comedy has crude humor and some mild language amid family chaos.
What movies are like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?
If you liked National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, try National Lampoon's Vacation, Holidate, Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh and Katy Perry: Part of Me.