Synopsis
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Reviews (162)
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J
my mother passed away a few days ago and this was her favorite movie and far and away the movie we have watched the most times together — it helped to inform our shared sense of humor and inspired our love of road trips and amusement parks but, most of all, it spoke to the eccentricities of families and the palpable anxiety of spending time with the people you love, often to a point of hilarity (if not outright hysteria) I wasn’t sure if it would be weird to watch this again, knowing that I couldn’t text her a screen shot or tell her now or tomorrow that I watched it and thought of her, but I’m comforted by how familiar it is and how I can hear her laugh at certain moments, almost synchronous with my own — it has only been four days but I truly miss her; thanks for the decades of laughs, mom
218 12 -
M
One of my favorite comedies of all time. In hindsight…it’s not even that funny anymore to me, but it is so nostalgic. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still hilarious…I’ve just seen way funnier movies since. It’s funny how I used to watch this as a kid, and totally relate to Rusty on this journey, and the older I got, especially now having done trips like this with 3 kids, I totally relate to Clark. My kids are all adults now, but my wife and I drove them all over the country while they were growing up, and especially to theme parks. Cedar Point, Kings Island, Kingston Dominion, Carowinds, etc…you name it. And yeah, these trips often do go off the…
202 1 -
J
(2020 Summer Blockbuster Series) The perfect family vacation movie … that you wished was a little less raunchy when you actually pop it in for the whole family to enjoy! “I think you’re all fucked in the head. We’re ten hours from the fucking fun park and you want to bail out. Well I’ll tell you something. This is no longer a vacation. It’s a quest. It’s a quest for fun. You’re gonna have fun, and I’m gonna have fun… We’re all gonna have so much fucking fun we’re gonna need plastic surgery to remove our goddamn smiles! You’ll be whistling ‘Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah’ out of your assholes!” In Clark W. Griswold we trust … the flawed but relatable everyman American…
277 6 -
M
Holiday rooooAAAAOOOoooaaaoooaaaooooad. Holiday rooooAAAAOOOoooaaaoooaaaooooad. There’s one scene here that now (and then too, frankly) is in such poor taste, where the Griswolds get lost on the “wrong side of town” and a bunch of African Americans steal their hubcaps and give them bad directions. It’s just awful (on his commentary track, which was recorded at least a decade ago, Harold Ramis claimed he no longer would have put that scene in the movie; I can only imagine what he would have said now). That sequence alone requires *at least* a one-star deduction. Maybe two. Maybe more. The rest has its moments. The last sequence at Walley World is the part I still love and I’m not even sure why. Maybe it taps into some kind of empty theme park fantasy. Or I just love CHARIOTS OF FIRE references.
262 -
S
75 That grand reveal of the Walley World skyline: one of the greatest matte paintings in the history of the medium. Funny movie. If you’ve seen one Vacation movie, you’ve seen them all, but Chevy Chase is particularly unhinged in this one. It works because he’s not acting at all.
541 8 -
M
– Hey, you got Pac-Man? – No. – You got Space Invaders? – Nope. – You got Asteroids? – No, but my dad does. He can’t even sit on the toilet some days.
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E
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D
because nothing screams quirky family road movie like abandoned corpse
213 2 -
D
The Griswald’s on an American road trip from Chicago to Walley World in California. This has to be fun! But I thought why doesn’t it work as I remembered? So much of this comedy run into something empty or I miss the punchline. Is it this kind of humor that didn’t age that well? I can’t even say that half of the gags made me at least giggle. A vacation with several stations should bring entertainment, but I felt some boring tendencies. The film is best when it gets adventurous but this doesn’t happen often enough. But here it is also Chevy Chase that comes with a pretty strenuous behavior. Yes, it should be funny but he is often intentional…
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B
Clark Griswold, lovable family man or deranged killer? I’m leaning towards the latter on this one guys.
307 5 -
J
“Excuse me, could you please tell me how to get back on the express way?” “Fuck yo mama.” “Thank you very much.”
515 2 -
J
Classic! I hadn’t seen this movie in a while but it is amazing 😂 4/5 ⭐️’s
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F
We could have gone anywhere we wanted this summer.. What did you say? Hawaii? Shut up Russ
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T
Ein wirklich süßer Film über eine leicht gestörte Familie. Aber trotzdem sind sie die meiste Zeit sehr glücklich und das macht den Film so gut. Sie lassen sich durch kaum ein Drama auf dem Film aus der Ruhe bringe , ganz vorne natürlich Clark. Selbst nachdem alles scheint als wäre es vorbei , lässt er sich das Ziel nicht nehmen und erreicht es auch. Die Witze sitzen teilweise, manche mal mehr und manchmal weniger. Besonders aber das Ende ist schön…
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T
Very funny movie, my favorite scene was with the person on top of the car, that shot was so funny. While I did prefer Christmas Vacation, this had equal the amount of laughs. Plus this one introduced one of the best written characters of all time, Cousin Eddie.
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C
i feel like older comedies don’t hold up as much for me. it was a good premise but all of the jokes just were not funny so it sort of takes you out.
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M
Clark Griswold is literally Jerry Blake except Clark hasn’t killed his family (yet). Very funny movie, my favorite scene was with the person on top of the car, that shot was so funny. While I did prefer Christmas Vacation, this had equal the amount of laughs. Plus this one introduced one of the best written characters of all time, Cousin Eddie. “You ever bop your bologna” -Dale
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A
Aunt Edna was speaking facts, Chevy Chase needs to be behind bars NEOW
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J
Clark Griswold has the most valid crash outs of all time. Family just does that sometimes
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B
Most fucked up shit you ever did see. HAIL MARTY MOOSE!
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I
National Lampoon’s Vacation is such a classic 80’s film. The whole idea of a family going on a trip together is a good idea. The amount of unexpected and crazy things that happen in this movie is awesome. Being stranded in the desert, Aunt Edna passing away. Walley World’s closing at the end was really funny. Clark sticking the guy up just for a roller coaster was hilarious. 😂
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B
87/100
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J
89/100 “Who’s the moosiest moose we know? Marty Moose! Who’s the star of our favorite show? Marty Moose! ‘M’ is for merry, we’re merry, you see ‘O’ is for oh, gosh! Oh, golly, oh gee! ‘S’ is for super-swell family glee ‘E’ is for everything you want to be M-A-R-T-Y M-O-O-S-E What’s that spell? Marty Moose, Marty Moose, Marty Moose! Yuck! That’s me!”
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B
I’ve been a huge fan of this movie for ages, the Vacation series being staples in my household growing up. From the moment the opening credits begin over the backdrop of photos and postcards of nostalgic old motels and tacky attractions across America, you know exactly what type of film you’re getting into, and it doesn’t fail to deliver. National Lampoon’s Vacation is a really funny, yet surprisingly earnest and heartfelt family comedy that still holds up to this day. …
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K
Def cannot make this move in 2026
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C
Ive seen this film in bits about 100 times because of my dad
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S
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E
they moved on from the dog too quickly omg
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D
Bottom tier of commentaries
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T
May I present to you the best road trip movie of all time to ever grace cinema. No joke. This movie has EVERYTHING you could ever want in an entire road trip story. – Endearing characters with great dynamics. – Brilliant writing. – Sharp and zany comedy. – Surprisingly solid emotional moments. – Aunt Edna – An entirely entertaining plot. – Consistent pacing that NEVER loses steam. – One of the BEST opening title/credit sequences. – Two hilarious yet tragic…
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C
This movie was not that funny but it was ok 🤷♂️
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J
Hot take ik but I hated ts and the characters are annoying
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J
My dad quotes this movie all the time
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D
why are þe kids different people in each movie
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W
New guilty pleasure but then again some of the jokes have aged poorly. Even with that in mind it’s a really great satire about the nuclear family in a vacation that is practically a once in a lifetime experience. Chevy Chase is pretty fun in this role and especially the scene where he calls the people crazy for wanting to go home after the whole long journey to there. I’ll definitely rewatch this over time.
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B
I don’t have an excuse for thinking this movie was so funny, but after keeling over in laughter for 98 minutes straight, I don’t know if I need one. Actually , genuinely , literally, the most hilarious thing I’ve ever watched. As much as the sequels try to make something on par with this, they end up rehashing too many old ideas and stray away from the energy and atmosphere that makes this film so great. Lightning in a bottle.
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M
A few laughs. But, why is he always cheating on his wife, bro😭
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S
Im on a pilgrimage to see a moose,praise Marty moose I love this film,given slightly less than Christmas vacation It’s good to see that even with a death,multiple running’s with the law and criminals and leash tied to the bumper nothing ever really went wrong I wish for more candy in this film he was a great actor
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B
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S
It’s a classic. You get to meet the fam even though the kids get switched out.
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D
The Griswald’s on an American road trip from Chicago to Walley World in California. This has to be fun! But I thought why doesn’t it work as I remembered? So much of this comedy run into something empty or I miss the punchline. Is it this kind of humor that didn’t age that well? I can’t even say that half of the gags made me at least giggle. A vacation with several stations should bring entertainment, but I felt some…
84 -
J
Chevy Chase is to 80s comedy as the straight white lead is to high school and regional theater.
2 -
H
Kinda gas Icl
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L
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🌟
this would be great if it didn’t have the compulsory cheating storyline every film made before 2012 has
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W
If only that cop wasn’t in uniform… Justice for Edna! I didn’t care much for the first half of the film but I would say that I started getting great enjoyment after the car crash scene from watching Chevy Chase suffer more and more. I’m just glad that he finally dies of exhaustion from gifting the members of his college community vials of his semen. The bad parts are the normal family road trip parts. The good parts are when Chevy is pushed to a breaking point and becomes a criminally insane lunatic. That and John Candy.
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D
classic
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B
One of the funniest movies ever the cast is amazing the story is super funny and Chevy Chase is a comedic genius a once in a generation comedian his performance in this movie changed everything we know about comedy there is only one National Lampoon’s Vacation I’m going to have fun and you’re going to have fun. We’re all going to have so much f***ing fun we’ll need plastic surgery to remove our goddamn smiles. Clark Griswold
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I
Solid family film
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E
“Who is it Arabs?”- Roy Wally
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T
dumb movie… not funny
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L
The mom is sooo bad
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L
ok but who WOULDN’T say “fuck yo mama” to chevy chase
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E
I don’t enjoy this one nearly as much as Christmas Vacation but the Wally World reveal is funny enough to bump it up
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M
this teaches you that you can get away with literally anything as long as you say “well i feel really sorry”
1 -
L
My father believes this is a fantastic film and a definitive movie of his childhood…. To me, this…. this is just a lousy picture.
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J
80s comedy at its finest. some of the gags are SUPER inappropriate for 2026 but for the time this was made I get it. Chevy Chase was essentially just being himself.
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A
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C
Full Leo pointing at the screen when Jane Krakowski turned up. The Wally World reveal really is incredible.
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L
if they just changed the music in the background this could honestly be a horror movie
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J
This one’s fine, but it’s amazing how much better Christmas Vacation is.
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T
nostalgic
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Z
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A
A timeless comedy, probably one of the bests in the original trilogy
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E
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A
i watched this in part because of ocd completeness tendencies and in part wanting something on in the background while doing admin tasks. i knew what i was getting into, so i dont rly have that much of a right to complain, but i do like complaining and this one is ripe for the picking. the lenient criticism: incredibly insipid and unfunny. i get that the humour is dated/era-bound, but its just so exceedingly passé its hard to watch. also…
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J
So funny. I didn’t realise how many national lampoons movies there are. Not as good as the Christmas one though
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𝐇
AHHH ANTHONY MICHEAL HALLLLL YEASS
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B
All-time GREAT
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K
Clark Griswold just wants to take his family on a vacation to California. He just wants to spend time with his family. What could go wrong? Everything. Like many kids my generation, my introduction to National Lampoon was through Christmas Vacation. It’s been a staple in my family for the past three decades. Around the turn of the millennium, I got around to checking the movie that started the Vacation series. It was one of our first DVDs, in those…
2 -
D
Classic
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W
Clark Griswold is the great American Everyman hero: a completely ordinary guy with one extraordinary belief—that if he plans hard enough, drives far enough, and refuses to acknowledge reality long enough, he can force his family into having the perfect vacation. Everything goes wrong. He keeps going. Not because he’s brave. Not because he’s particularly competent. But because somewhere under the bad decisions, simmering rage, and increasingly unhinged commitment to Walley World is a guy who desperately wants to give…
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LLexaKate 8 月 15, 2026
Clark really is kind of terrible.
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G
I dunno, I guess I just don’t get the comedy as well as I do in the 2015 one. I liked the end bit at Walley World
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S
Did ya ever bop yer bologna? Of course I have to reiterate this movie is a product of its time. But I laughed a lot and I really enjoy this brand of humor. And I love the ending so much.
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M
Mogło być więcej szaleństwa w tej pierwszej części kultowej serii komediowej, ale zabawa była i nawet kilka scen było tam zabawnych
2 -
M
Hadn’t seen this since edited watches on TV when I was a lot younger. Definitely funnier in adulthood. Also one of the best comedy finales you’re probably gonna get. Best not to take it seriously at all or examine it. Just great humor overall even if it is definitely dated at times.
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H
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C
I still remember the first time I watched this with my dad. His laughter alone warrants a 5 star.
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L
We’re all going to have so much fucking fun we’ll need plasic surgery to remove our goddamn smiles!
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H
Count me in the camp that considers this original first film to be the best of the Vacation movies. The R rating helps, but I also feel it’s just the chemistry with the family here at its best, and the feeling of a true road trip experience. You really do feel like you are along for the ride, and the thrills of the theme park at the end were sensational. Plenty of laughs to go around and just an overall fun time with a film that hasn’t aged a bit.
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A
Some very funny lines and moments, a good comedy film. I would have definitely enjoyed it a lot more when I was a kid and I really dont think the R age-rating was necessary. The scenes are easily skipped and you dont lose any context. A funny movie.
1 -
T
This felt like a scary, evil version of The Castle made for Americans
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B
Gen X laughed as the millennial’s carcass exploded on the highway to Hell.
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J
Peak 80s comedy. Terrible people doing terrible things is mostly not done good, but this movie perfects it honestly
1 -
M
Definitely not politically correct for the time any more but it was fun
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S
Clark Griswold would go against the Geneva Convention just to feel something. National Lampoon’s Vacation is a weird film. It’s cited as “one of the greatest comedies” to exist but I was only mildly amused by this episodic, skit-level comedy. The disastrous family road trip from hell is usually a barrel of laughs for me but I found myself struggling to connect with the Griswolds and the tragedies that befalls them. While there are some funny gags and situations along…
4 -
T
National Lampoon’s Vacation is a very good summer film for, most, of the family. Everyone did well acting, especially Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold. We get to experience the falling mental state of Clark as he has to deal with misdirection, getting the worst motels, meeting relatives, killing a dog, having to deal with getting his wife’s grandmother to Phoenix after death, and doing a Evel Knievel stunt with their station wagon. Clark even snaps and hold hostage an employee…
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B
I like the Xmas one better
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L
I saw this for the first time when I was 11 and when Beverly D’Angelo just throws her top off by the pool, let’s just say I became a man that day.
4 -
H
I believe Americans call this “carmaxxing”. National Lampoon’s Vacation is about an idiot called Clark Griswold trying to get his family to Walley World. He faces tribulations of his own design, credited to his arrogance, ignorance, deceit and vanity, thus making it satisfying when things go awry, rather than upsetting. It’s called “National Lampoon” and we are greeted by numerous Americana elements, but at the forefront is the patriarch. His ego, callous and stubbornness causes woe for his whole family.…
7 3 -
V
valencia represent
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M
Bumping this up a half star because I really needed something to cheer me up this evening and this film made me laugh my arse off. The conversation between Clark and the Highway Patrol officer about the dog had me in fits of laughter.
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A
Staple of comedy viewing.
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P
“Is that a real gun mom?” “I don’t know, Rusty, but when this is all over, your father…may be going away for a little while.” Not quite the comedic masterpiece that Christmas Vacation is, but a hilarious movie nonetheless. Everybody is great, especially Chase. John Candy is here. Beverly D’Angelo is a babe. Good soundtrack too. Fun stuff!
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S
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O
The disturbing story of a man’s descent into madness, murder and mayhem.
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C
This was a great time, full of distinct humor from that time. It’s dry at times, dark at others, and almost always delivering at least a smile. The cast is great, and I had fun. Is there anything else you’d want from a comedy of this caliber? Watched via the Warner Bros. DVD.
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L
funny funny funny. makes me laugh and it makes me laugh. sorry folks park’s closed. funny movie 🤣
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O
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N
a fun and interesting artifact of a time when middle class spending occurred in physical places and thus the economy was driven by people leaving their houses
2 -
L
I could forgive all the ways this is awful if it were ever funny.
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L
it’s alright
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M
Always a classic
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A
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T
It’s like, a family movie, but if a family movie said fuck and shit and stuff? The whole thing feels like a really long family guy cutaway gag, but then as you’re watching it, you realize it’s because family guy has referenced it so many times that they are now two hearts, beating in unison.
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D
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E
“You’re gonna have some much fun, You’ll be whistling zipidee doo dah out of your assholes!!!!”
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P
SCENES THAT SHOULD HAD ENDED ON THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR: Cousin Vicki: I’m going steady, and I French kiss. Audrey Griswold: So? Everybody does that. Cousin Vicki: Yeah, but Daddy says I’m the best at it. Well… that was kinda sick. 🙃
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C
yeah so this was absolutely nothing like christmas vacation
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S
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E
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J
Great. Boobies!
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D
Absolutely unhinged time. Love some stupid comedy idk how else to explain it.
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A
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M
Clark, your brain is made of manure One star for Mr. Candy and that’s being very generous
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K
Mam zawsze mówi że to my
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O
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LLee 8 月 9, 2026
Hmmm. Doesn’t quite hold up like I thought it might anymore.
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𝑻
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D
Clark is the ultimate antagonist
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G
Another Fun Road Trip Movie
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R
👍
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𝑜
“excuse me, could you please tell me how to get back on the express way?” “fuck yo mama!” “thank you very much.” i have so much hatred in my heart for clark griswold i think i need to hear holiday road one more time
4 -
S
National Lampoon’s Vacation is a movie I’ve seen a handful of times going all the way back to when I was around ten years old. I’m still not sure whether I first saw an edited-for-TV version or whether this was actually my introduction to R-rated movies. Rewatching it now, a few things stood out. First, Chevy Chase is operating at his comedic peak. His particular brand of humor is the main attraction, and so much of the movie depends on…
1 -
P
Quite understated humour, I’ve never seen one of these but it was fun watching the father descend into madness.
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C
Made me laugh
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B
Classic but same vibes as every other 80s movie. Chevy is great but movie itself is nothing special
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S
Such a fun watch. Classic!
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K
Classic
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TTom Boland 8 月 8, 2026
Maybe I wasn’t in the right mood, and I actually feel no nostalgia for this film either having never seen it. The humour just landed completely flat for me nearly every time, with a few notable exceptions: “But daddy says…”; probably says more about me than anything!
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S
ah Chevy what happened man
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C
No suelo juzgar el humor de épocas pasadas, solo lo disfruto pero no acabo de conectar con el de esta. Lo he querido con todas las ganas, pero había chistes que no acababan de despegar y escenas aburridas. Lo intentaremos con la segunda. PD: El doblaje horrible, tal vez por eso tampoco he entrado.
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G
do you hear that rattle? – t h e d o g
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L
JOHN CANDY!!!!!
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C
Første gang jeg så den var den ikke ligeså forudsigelig.
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C
I’m currently on a ten-hour car ride with my family. Let’s hope it doesn’t end up like this one!
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M
Første gang jeg så den var den ikke lige så predictable.
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N
i think i genuinely laughed once this entire movie
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O
I remember a kid in middle school who obsessed with “Holiday Road” and listened to it over and over dozens of times but also had the most ballistic fits until he gets his serving of Lindsey Buckingham’s voice. Whenever he is now, he might be a rabid fan demanding WB to make a good Vacation reboot in his Wally World pajamas.
11 1 -
F
I genuinely guess bro
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T
Clark Griswald: “Excuse me, could you please tell me how to get back on the express way?” Pimp: “Fuck yo mama!” Clark Griswald: “Thank you very much.” Has some good laughs and some humor that didn’t really work for me. The movie also starts getting stale towards the end. But overall, it’s entertaining enough to keep me interested even though the movie feels like it goes on forever.
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R
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E
La película perfecta para ver con papá. Mi papá desde hace un tiempo ha querido ver esta comedia y por fin logramos verla. Realmente pensé que sería mejor o me gustaría -ya que la de Vacations (2015) me gustó bastante- pero si tengo que aceptar que me decepcionó. Aunque esta película tiene un humor excelente y avanzado para la época, no me reí tanto ni tengo algún momento que destacar. El guion es algo básico y tarda mucho en desarrollar…
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I
Still manages to get a chuckle out of me on occasion. Blows my mind that Clark can be such an absolute bozo, and yet have such an absolute dime piece for a wife. Then on top of that, he proceeds to try and cheat on his wife who’s way out of his league. Hard to tell if Chevy Chase is even acting in this film, cause it seems like he’s just being himself. A total douche.
2 -
N
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D
“What’s this about, Mr Grizzel?” Anthony Michael Hall and Dana Barron will always be my Rusty and Audrey.
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C
Not really my sense of humor but a very fun movie. I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. Completely unhinged Clark Griswold is the best Chevy Chase I’ve seen. “This is no longer a vacation, this is a quest”
2 1 -
A
Great bit how Clark starts out as an apparent perfect suburban dad, who works hard and wants to take his wife kids on a lovely traditional trip, only for him to be revealed to be more unhinged each stop of the way. Funny enough road trip movie! I knew the gag that the park would be closed but not what happened after that and that’s actually so so good. Best bit of the whole thing there.
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L
Chevy Chase being an asshole and horrible person in this movie isn’t method acting, it’s just him being himself
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W
Boomer garbage
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S
Praise Marty moose
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S
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C
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T
Wacky hijinks and goofy gags through and through. I’ll be honest I was not jumping to see this movie, but is THE vacation movie. Although it’s not my sense of humor in many ways I found myself enjoying this movie much more than I anticipated! 5/10
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D
Was reminiscing with my folks about the road trip we went on last year and the convo pivoted to this movie. Mom had never seen it in full before so dad and I decided to fix that
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Q
This really works as well as it does because it’s being led by an actual psychopath.
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M
There’s moments that made me laugh out loud but more than a family comedy, it feels like an almost horror movie level examination of the damaged psyche and entitlement of a Raegan-era, boomer, middle-class, conservative.
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L
I would hold Wally World security at gunpoint too if i had to go through all that only for the park to be closed.
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K
I watched Christmas Vacation before I watched this one and I was caught off guard by how much more of a MENACE he is in this
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A
national
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D
Could not stop laughing on a road trip to Florida
- Synopsis
- Clark Griswold is on a quest to take his family to the Walley World theme park for a vacation, but things don't go exactly as planned.
- Director
- Harold Ramis
- Writer
- John Hughes
- Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- Country
- USA
- Language
- English
- Year
- 1983
- Runtime
- 99 mins
- USA29 Jul 1983
- UK20 Oct 1983
- Sweden28 Oct 1983
- Finland18 Nov 1983
- Brazil25 Dec 1983
- Netherlands18 Apr 1984
- Germany07 Jun 1984
- France20 Jun 1984
- Portugal29 Jun 1984
- Spain25 Jun 1985
- New Zealand01 Oct 2020
- USA31 Dec 1983
- South Korea11 May 1989
- Netherlands04 Aug 2003
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