National Lampoon ’s Vacationis a vintage clowning franchise beginning in the 1980s , though the want of numerals seduce it tricky to bed which order to view them in . Chevy Chase is a comedy icon , which was absolved from his appearances on the first time of year ofSaturday Night Live . Chase went on to a string of flick striking , includingFoul Play , Caddyshack , andFletch . alas , Chase also has a reputation for being difficult to sour with , so after a cosmic string of duds in the ' 90s , he was largely relegated to supporting persona or cameo .

Still , his movie champion bloom yielded some classics , includingNational Lampoon ’s holiday . direct by Harold Ramis ( Groundhog Day ) and written by John Hughes ( The Breakfast Club),the photographic film detail a disastrous sept holiday , led by Chase ’s affirmative paterfamilias , Clark Griswold . TheVacationmoviesbecame a reliable enfranchisement for Chase and cobalt - star Beverly D’Angelo , with both devolve for every subsequent installment - bar one submission of the saga .

Vacation Movies In Release Order

The Films Were Released In Chronological Order

John Hughes basedNational Lampoon ’s Vacationon a short taradiddle he write for the titular magazine , and the film proved to be a Brobdingnagian achiever upon release . For Chase , Vacationproved to be a franchise he could dip in and out of periodically throughout the ' eighty and ' ninety . Of the six entry in the dealership , the fourth and sixth outingsVegas Vacationand the 2015 reboot are illustrious for miss theNational Lampoonbranding .

moving picture

Release Year

Collage of Juliette Lewis in Christmas Vacation and Chevy Chase and Anthony Michael Hall in Vacation

National Lampoon ’s holiday

1983

National Lampoon ’s European holiday

Imagery-from-I’ll-Be-Home-for-Christmas-and-The-Santa-Clause

1985

National Lampoon ’s Christmas Vacation

1989

A collage image of Luke Skywalker in A New Hope

Vegas Vacation

1997

National Lampoon ’s Christmas Vacation 2

The characters from Christmas Vacation in a collage

Custom Image by SR Image Editor

2003

Vacation

2015

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National Lampoon’s Vacation is a 1983 comedy directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes. The film follows Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, as he embarks on a cross-country road trip with his family to reach the fictional amusement park, Walley World. Along the way, they encounter a series of comedic misadventures that test their resolve and family bonds.

harmonise to a 2015 article bySlate , Warner Bros choose to move out theNational Lampoontitle fromVegas Vacationdue to a fall out between the studio and that sequel ’s producer . As for the 2015 film , National Lampoonhad nothing to do with its development . Like any long - run for enfranchisement , it has its portion of weak outings , though the quality is kind of uniform for the most part .

Vacation Movies In Chronological Order Of Events

National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

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National Lampoon ’s Vacation is a 1983 clowning directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes . The film follows Clark Griswold , played by Chevy Chase , as he embarks on a thwartwise - country route trip with his family to reach the fictitious amusement park , Walley World . Along the way , they happen a series of comedic misadventures that test their resolve and household bonds .

The first entry isthe quintessential family unit route misstep picture , where Clark and Ellen take their children on a cross - country field day to visit the suspiciously Disneyland - esque theme park Walley World . Despite their best - repose plans , the family is chivy by a serial publication of cataclysm , which includes their Aunt Edna dying along the way and Clark make to force his way into Walley World at gunpoint .

National Lampoon ’s Vacation(1983 ) has a 94 % military rating on Rotten Tomatoes .

Headshot Of Chevy Chase In The Premiere of Love, Gilda

Those kinds of roguishness became par for the line for the enfranchisement and has become a raw material of road tripper movies ever since . TheHarold Ramis - send moviebalances dark humor with some genuine sweetness , which made the Griswold family peculiarly endear . It ’s chronologically the first entry in the series but these are n’t the sort of motion-picture show that demand to be ascertain in any specific order to work .

National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985)

Cast : Chevy Chase ( Clark Griswold ) , Beverly D’Angelo ( Ellen Griswold ) , Jason Lively ( Rusty ) , Dana Hill ( Audrey ) , William Zabka ( Jack ) , John Astin ( Kent ) , Paul Bartel ( Mr. Froeger ) , Cynthia Szigeti ( Mrs. Froeger ) , Eric Idle ( The Bike Rider ) , Jeannette Charles ( Queen Elizabeth II ) , Peter Hugo ( Prince Charles ) , Julie Wooldridge ( Princess Diana ) , Willy Millowitsch ( Fritz Spritz ) , Erika Wackernagel ( Helga Spritz )

The original was produced during an epoch where continuation to strike movies were n’t precisely a contribute , but oeuvre quickly pressed ahead onNational Lampoon ’s European Vacation .

The original was make during an era where sequel to hit motion-picture show were n’t on the nose a given , but employment quickly contract ahead onNational Lampoon ’s European Vacation . This entrance sees the family win a two - week head trip to Europe on a plot show and visiting London , Germany and Italy . Neither Ramis nor Hughes returned for the follow - up , withFast Times at Ridgemont High’sdirector Amy Heckerling taking over . National Lampoon ’s European Vacationleans heavily on forcemeat but while it scores some laughs it ’s not as funny as its harbinger .

Headshot Of Beverly D’Angelo

The movie also recast the Griswold children , which proved to be the type with every sequel . Dana Hill took over as Audrey from Dana Barron , while Jason Lively inherited " Rusty " from Anthony Michael Hall . The continuation was a achiever but still gross less than the original . European Vacationis now regarded as something of a average ledger entry , but compare to some of the movies in the serial , it at least has some memorable gag .

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

The third installment in the National Lampoon ’s Vacation series , National Lampoon ’s Christmas Vacation , stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold , sire of the Griswold family whose design to have a good Christmas with his family face several setbacks . Between his arguing parents , the uncooperative decorations , and the unexpected arrival of some undesirable remote relative , Clark ’s dreams for a wonderful Christmas seem to be languish , pressure him to take some comedically drastic measures .

National Lampoon ’s Christmas Vacationsaw Hughes return to pen the screenplay , while Jeremiah S. Chechik take over the director ’s chair . This third adventure for the Griswolds was primitively supposed to be helmed by Chris Columbus , who evidently tap to pop off the film due to issues with Chase ; Hughes afterward give Columbus the screenplay forHome Aloneinstead . National Lampoon ’s Christmas Vacationsees Clark attempt to give his family an incredible Christmas , but as is the franchise ’s formula , his program go haywire , leading to funny high jinx .

Rusty and Audrey Griswold were excellently play by a unlike actor in each of the National Lampoon ’s Vacation moving-picture show , include some huge wizard .

National Lampoon’s European Vacation - Poster

While the first film is contain in high gaze , Christmas Vacationis now considered the high period of the saga . It ’s an entry where everything clicks , from the perfectly pitched risible performances to the writing and the capturing the feel of aclassic Christmas motion picture . It also features the starry brace to take on the role of the Griswold kid , with Juliette Lewis ( Cape Fear ) andThe Big Bang Theory ’s Johnny Galecki playing Audrey and Rusty respectively .

Vegas Vacation (1997)

Cast : Chevy Chase ( Clark Griswold ) , Beverly D’Angelo ( Ellen Griswold ) , Ethan Embry ( Rusty ) , Marisol Nichols ( Audrey ) , Randy Quaid ( Cousin Eddie ) , Wayne Newton ( Self ) , Wallace Shawn ( Marty ) , Miriam Flynn ( Cousin Catherine ) , Sid Caesar ( Mr. Ellis ) , Christie Brinkley ( daughter in Red Ferrari ) , Juliette Brewer ( Ruby Sue Johnson ) , Jerry Weintraub ( Jilly from Philly )

This 4th installment marked the goal of the Chevy Chase - front era , and the first to dropNational Lampoonfrom the rubric . As the title argue , the Griswolds channelize to Vegas and get imply in a ho-hum series of events . Hughes had no interest with this continuation ’s development and only learned it was happening when reading about it in the trades .

Vegas Vacationcast Marisol Nichols and Ethan Embry as Audrey and Rusty , while Christie Brinkley returned as " girlfriend in the Red Ferrari " from the original moving-picture show . Arriving most a ten on from the third film and at the tail death of Chase ’s movie lead career , Vegas Vacationwas a boxwood office disappointment that received for the most part poor reviews . It also mostly mark the end of the franchise as only a straight - to - video follow - up get in a few years later and then a requel in 2015 .

Cast Placeholder Image

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2 (2003)

Cast : Randy Quaid ( Cousin Eddie ) , Miriam Flynn ( Cousin Catherine ) , Jake Thomas ( Clark ) , Dana Barron ( Audrey ) , Ed Asner ( Uncle Nick ) , Beverly Garland ( Aunt Jessica ) , Fred Willard ( Professor Doornitz ) , Sung Hi Lee ( Muka Luka Miki ) , Eric Idle ( English Victim )

The mordant sheep of the enfranchisement in more than one , National Lampoon ’s Christmas Vacation 2 : Cousin Eddie ’s Island Adventureis a TV film spinoff from the third movie . As the title suggests , Randy Quaid ’s Cousin Eddie is the main character , while neither Chase nor D’Angelo deliver as Clark or Ellen ; that said , Dana Barron returns as Audrey for the first sentence since the master copy .

Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo also reunited for 2010 short motion-picture show Hotel Hell Vacation .

Christmas vacation

The third installment in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, father of the Griswold family whose intentions to have a good Christmas with his family face several setbacks. Between his arguing parents, the uncooperative decorations, and the unexpected arrival of some unwanted distant relatives, Clark’s dreams for a wonderful Christmas seem to be fading, forcing him to take some comedically drastic measures.

Cousin Eddie ’s Island Adventureis a tattily made affair with almost no laughs and some dreadful greenscreen effects . Eddie works undecomposed as a supporting participant , which his promotion to main fiber only underscore . No matter how disappointing some of the main entries might be , none ever sank as low asNational Lampoon ’s Christmas Vacation 2 . It also remains , to date , the last outing withNational Lampoonin the claim .

Vacation (2015)

primed decade after National Lampoon ’s Vegas Vacation , Vacation is a 2015 continuation and sequel of the popular dealership . The movie now focus on the eldest boy , Rusty Griswold , and his raw family as they decide to point on to their common holiday spot – but when unpleasant memories surface , Rusty makes a last - minute variety and decides to take them to the site of the first film – Wally World . Now on a road trip across the state , Rusty and his family line are insure to observe in his father ’s footstep in a serial publication of ludicrous detour and encounters .

As has been the case with many classics from the fourscore , Vacationwas remake in the 2010s . This all - hotshot resurgence of theVacationseries seesThe Office’sEd Helms play the grownup Rusty , who is taking his own household on a slip to Walley World . Leslie Mann plays Audrey this sentence with a hilarious Chris Hemsworth cameo as her husband Stone , whileChase and D’Angelo make invitee appearance as Clark and Ellen .

For now , it mark the end of this iconic dealership and this 2015 looping does n’t seem to get the consistent replay value that the original do .

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Christina Applegate play Rusty ’s married woman Debbie and she gets some of the serious moments in the film . WhileVacationdid solid business , its curiously mean - mettlesome tone and lack of wit saw it greet with mixed review , and it has yet to receive a sequel . For now , it mark the end of this iconic dealership and this 2015 looping does n’t seem to get the consistent replay value that the originals do .

Which Vacation Movie Is The Best?

Fans Seem To Agree On Franchise’s Greatest Installment

With a band of long - go franchises , fan typically find the first entry to be the upright , as is the case withThe Matrix , Jurassic Park , andScream . The second film is also often viewed as the best , as inStar Wars , The Dark Knight , andShrek . However , this is a serial that is rarified becausemost sports fan agree that the third entry , Christmas Vacation , is the best . The vacation flick is considered a classic and tends to be watch each year by fans .

The fact that it ’s stark for such a beloved clip of year aid but it also holds up outstandingly well decade after and has some screaming joke . The original film is the one unremarkably mentioned most as also being in controversy for the top of the list , while the straight - to - videoChristmas Vacation 2is viewed as the worst of the franchise . The three motion picture in the middle are a number more difficult to place .

The skilful Disney Christmas movies leave the audience with significant messages , and put up a heartwarming viewing experience for the holidays .

Headshot Of Randy Quaid

European Vacation , Vegas Vacation , and 2015’sVacationall have their merit but all also have mess of flaws that keep them from the top . They ’re all very close on places like IMDb , while scores on Rotten Tomatoes have them asEuropean,2015’sVacation , andVegas Vacation , in that order . disregarding of where specific devotee rank these three , the consensus seems to be that 1989’sChristmas Vacationis the peak of this enfranchisement .

author : slating

National Lampoon ’s Vacationis a comedy moving picture series that chronicles the mischance of the Griswold family , led by patriarch Clark Griswold , as they embark on various vacation that invariably descend into topsy-turvydom . The series is renowned for its slapstick wit and satirical take on the American crime syndicate vacation .

Headshot of Ethan Embry

Christmas Vacation 2- Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure - Poster

Vacation Movie Poster

Set decades after National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation, Vacation is a 2015 sequel and continuation of the popular franchise. The film now focuses on the eldest son, Rusty Griswold, and his new family as they decide to head on to their usual vacation spot – but when unpleasant memories surface, Rusty makes a last-minute change and decides to take them to the site of the first film – Wally World. Now on a road trip across the country, Rusty and his family are guaranteed to follow in his father’s footsteps in a series of ludicrous detours and encounters.

Headshot Of Christina Applegate in The 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) Movie Poster

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National Lampoon’s Vacation

Vacation