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Vacation (2015 film)

Vacation is a 2015 American comedy road film directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Vacation is a 2015 American comedy road film directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. The film is the sixth installment in the Vacation film series and a sequel to Vegas Vacation (1997). It stars Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Leslie Mann, Beverly D'Angelo, Chris Hemsworth, and Chevy Chase.

Plot

The story follows Rusty Griswold as he takes his wife and sons on a cross-country trip to Walley World in an attempt to recreate a childhood vacation. The journey becomes increasingly chaotic, turning the family trip into a series of mishaps.

Production

Vacation was written and directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. It was produced in the United States and released by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Cast

The main cast includes Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Leslie Mann, Beverly D'Angelo, Chris Hemsworth, and Chevy Chase. The film connects to earlier entries in the franchise through returning characters and references to the Griswold family.

Release and reception

The film premiered in U.S. theatres on July 29, 2015. It received generally negative reviews from critics, but it earned more at the box office than its production budget.

Key facts

  • It is the sixth film in the Vacation franchise and follows Vegas Vacation (1997).
  • The film was written and directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein.
  • Ed Helms plays Rusty Griswold, the adult son of Clark Griswold.
  • The plot centers on a family road trip to Walley World that goes badly wrong.
  • Warner Bros. released the film in the United States on July 29, 2015.
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Canadian context

The film was part of the North American theatrical market and is relevant to Canadian viewers through its U.S. release, franchise recognition, and home-entertainment availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is Vacation (2015)?
Vacation is an American comedy road film released in 2015 and part of the Vacation film series.
Who directed Vacation (2015)?
It was directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein.
Who stars in Vacation (2015)?
The cast includes Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Leslie Mann, Beverly D'Angelo, Chris Hemsworth, and Chevy Chase.
What is the film about?
It follows Rusty Griswold as he takes his family on a road trip to Walley World, hoping to recreate a childhood vacation.
When was Vacation (2015) released?
It was released in the United States on July 29, 2015.
How did it perform commercially?
The film grossed about $107.2 million worldwide against a $31 million budget.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacation_(2015_film)
    Supports: Release date, directors, cast, franchise position, box office, budget, and general film description.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1524930/
    Supports: Plot synopsis, release date, country of origin, and cast listing.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/vacation_2013
    Supports: Genre, release date, runtime, synopsis, rating, and gross box office.
  4. FilmAffinity — https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film690533.html
    Supports: Runtime, country, genre, cast, and synopsis.
  5. Google Play — https://play.google.com/store/movies/details/Vacation_2015?id=8t5YiLPtvKc.P&hl=en_US
    Supports: Runtime, plot summary, cast, and film identification.