With it being Christmas Eve and I having nothing else to write about, I thought I’d review a classic holiday movie: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It’s a 5/5 for me, which puts it at #24 on my list of reviewed/rated movies so far. The movie is a true gem that embodies the chaos and joy of the holiday season. It sits at 86% on Rotten Tomatoes’ audience score, which is respectable, but the critics’ bafflingly low 72% rating makes me question their sense of humor. How can you not laugh at this timeless classic?
IMHO:
95% A-Rating
is my rating of this classic holiday movie.
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer:
72% (WTF are they thinking?)
Rotten Tomatoes Popcorn Meter (User Voted Score):
86%
(See, they know what’s up)
IMDb Rating
7.5/10
(Pfft, fools!)
What is there to be said about this movie? It’s hilarious from start to finish. Clark Griswold, played perfectly by Chevy Chase, is kind of a clueless dolt, but he’s a well-meaning family man who just wants to give his loved ones the perfect Christmas. Sure, he’s got flaws—like his wandering eye for girls in Ferraris and at shopping mall jewelry counters—but that’s part of his charm. And let’s face it: the man doesn’t even know he has a switched outlet in his own garage. But that’s what makes him such a relatable and endearing character—his flaws and blunders pave the way for some of the most iconic moments in comedy history. Clark’s accident-prone, bumbling nature has inspired countless other sitcom dads like Tim Taylor (Home Improvement), Homer Simpson, and Peter Griffin.
This movie is packed with laugh-out-loud moments and quotable lines. It’s not just a great Christmas movie; it’s one of the greatest comedies of all time. The beauty of Christmas Vacation is how it captures the holiday stress and amplifies it to absurd proportions. Who hasn’t felt the pressure of trying to please everyone during the holidays?
Take, for instance, the scene where Clark finally gets his 25,000 Christmas lights working. Ellen figures out the garage switch situation, and just when Clark is basking in his moment of triumph, his father-in-law deadpans, “The little lights aren’t twinkling.” You can’t help but feel for Clark, and that’s part of the magic of this film: you’re laughing at his pain, but you also sympathize with him.
Then there’s Cousin Eddie, the ultimate wildcard. Randy Quaid’s performance is unforgettable. From his iconic line, “Shitter’s full!” to his unrelenting optimism while sporting a truly heinous leisure suit, Eddie’s presence takes the Griswold’s holiday chaos to a whole new level. His antics are both cringeworthy and hilarious, especially when he casually kidnaps Clark’s boss to make up for the lack of a Christmas bonus.
Other standout moments? The squirrel wreaking havoc in the living room. I always say “why are they so afraid of a squirrel?” Then there’s Aunt Bethany mistaking the Pledge of Allegiance for grace at the dinner table. Clark’s meltdown when he finds out his Christmas bonus is a Jelly of the Month Club subscription (“It’s the gift that keeps on giving!”). The sheer escalation of disaster after disaster makes every scene a masterpiece of comedic timing.
Beverly D’Angelo’s Ellen Griswold is the perfect counterbalance to Clark’s over-the-top antics. Her calm, supportive nature—mixed with the occasional eyeroll—grounds the film. And let’s not overlook the stellar supporting cast: Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the yuppie neighbor, Todd, who gets caught in the crossfire of Clark’s mishaps, delivers some fantastic moments as well.
While this movie has endless rewatchability during the holiday season, it’s hard to imagine popping it on in July. There’s something about the snow-covered setting and relentless holiday spirit that makes it a December staple. It’s a film I never miss each year because it reminds me of the joy, frustrations, and love that come with the season.
By the way, as a stats and data nerd, I’ve started ranking movies on a spreadsheet that’s available on the movie reviews page of my blog. I’m always tinkering with lists, it’s a coping mechanism I have or something. Revisiting movies like Christmas Vacation reminds me that some films truly stand the test of time. Check out the list if you’re curious to see how my ratings stack up!
In conclusion, if you haven’t seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you’re missing out on one of the most quintessential holiday comedies ever made. Whether it’s your first time watching or your 50th, this movie delivers the laughs and holiday feels in equal measure. As Clark himself says,
“We’re gonna have the hap-hap-happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye!”
