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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a 1989 American Christmas comedy film and the third instalment in the Vacation film series.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a 1989 American Christmas comedy film and the third instalment in the Vacation film series. Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik and written by John Hughes, the film follows Clark Griswold as he tries to create a perfect family Christmas that quickly spirals into chaos. Released by Warner Bros. on December 1, 1989, the film has become a seasonal staple.

Premise

The film follows Clark Griswold’s attempt to stage a perfect family Christmas. Uninvited relatives, holiday mishaps, and mounting frustrations turn the celebration into a series of comic disasters.

Production and release

The screenplay was written by John Hughes and adapted from his short story "Christmas '59." The film was directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik and released by Warner Bros. in December 1989.

Cast and characters

Chevy Chase leads the cast as Clark Griswold, alongside Beverly D'Angelo as Ellen and Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie. The ensemble includes returning and supporting characters from the Vacation franchise.

Reception and legacy

The film received mixed-to-lukewarm contemporary reviews but later became a widely watched holiday comedy. It is now commonly regarded as a Christmas classic.

Key facts

  • It is the third film in the Vacation series.
  • The film is based on John Hughes's short story "Christmas '59".
  • It was released in theatres on December 1, 1989.
  • It grossed about $73.3 million against a $25 million budget.
  • Filming took place in Colorado and California, and the director, Jeremiah S. Chechik, is from Montreal.
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Canadian context

The film has a notable Canadian connection through director Jeremiah S. Chechik, who is from Montreal.[6]

Frequently asked questions

What is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation about?
It follows Clark Griswold as he tries to host an ideal family Christmas, but a stream of disruptions turns the holiday into chaos.
When was the film released?
It was released in the United States on December 1, 1989.
Who directed National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?
Jeremiah S. Chechik directed the film.
Who wrote the film?
John Hughes wrote and produced the film, adapting it from his short story "Christmas '59."
Is it part of a film series?
Yes. It is the third instalment in the Vacation film series.
How did the film perform at the box office?
It grossed about $73.3 million worldwide against a $25 million budget.

References

  1. Mental Floss — https://www.mentalfloss.com/holidays/christmas/27-things-you-might-not-know-about-christmas-vacation
    Supports: Release date and source material from John Hughes's short story 'Christmas '59'.
  2. Global News — https://www.globalnews.ca/news/1701357/12-fun-facts-about-christmas-vacation-25-years-after-its-release/
    Supports: Release date, box office performance, and the Canadian connection of director Jeremiah S. Chechik.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Lampoon's_Christmas_Vacation
    Supports: Director, cast, country, language, runtime, release date, budget, box office, and production details.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097958/
    Supports: Release date, runtime, country of origin, and language.
  5. ScreenRant — https://screenrant.com/national-lampoon-christmas-vacation-movie-facts-trivia-making-of/
    Supports: Series placement, premise, and box office total.