How to Watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
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Christmas is nearly here, and for movie fans, that means it's time to revisit all your favorite holiday movie classics. For many, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation has become a staple for every Christmas movie marathon. The third installment in the National Lampoon's Vacation series, the holly jolly classic finds Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) trying to give his family the perfect stay-at-home family Christmas, only for things to quickly spiral out of control, as per tradition with any kind of excursion with the Griswold family. There are plenty of ways to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and luckily, we have compiled a guide on how you can watch the film this year if you haven't already.
Editor's Note: This piece was updated on December 19, 2023.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
PG-13ComedyAs the holidays approach, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife, Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo), and children, as he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things go awry quickly. His hick cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. Even worse, Clark's employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs.
Release Date December 1, 1989 Director Jeremiah S. Chechik Cast Chevy Chase , Beverly D'Angelo , Juliette Lewis , Johnny Galecki , John Randolph , Diane Ladd Runtime 97 minutes Main Genre Comedy Writers John Hughes ExpandWhere Can I Stream 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'?
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is currently streaming on the Max streaming service (formerly known as HBO Max). It makes sense that the film is available on said streaming service, considering it's a Warner Bros. production. The Christmas comedy classic joins other beloved Christmas movies on the streaming service, including Elf, A Christmas Story, and Gremlins.
Max isn't the only streaming service hosting National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation this year, as the holiday favorite is also available to stream on Hulu, alongside other Christmas movie staples such as Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, and Elf.
Is 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' Available on VOD?
Yes, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is available to purchase and rent through VOD, so if you don't have a Max or Hulu subscription, there are plenty of other ways to stream the movie. You can choose from the links below to find the comedy on the platform of your choice.
Is 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' Available on Blu-ray and DVD?
Yes, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is available to purchase on physical media, including 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD. You can choose from the links below to purchase the film from your preferred retailer.
Will 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' Air on TV This Year?
Yes, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation will be a part of AMC's "Best Christmas Ever" event, so your cable plan gives you access to AMC, you'll be able to catch the film on the channel at these designated times.
- Wednesday, December 20 at 5:45 pm EST
- Thursday, December 21 at 8 pm & 10:15 pm EST
- Saturday, December 23 at 9 pm EST
- Sunday, December 24 at 7 pm & 11:15 pm EST
- Monday, December 25 at 4 pm & 8:15 pm EST
What Is 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' About?
In tradition with its predecessors, the film primarily follows Clark Griswold trying to make the best of any situation he can for his family - in this case, a Christmas celebration. A combination of bad luck, his own incompetence, and frustrating relatives leads to things becoming more annoying than they should be for Clark but more hilarious than ever for the audience. And how exactly is Clark able to soldier through all the torment? Well, because he knows he's soon due his Christmas bonus. It's a film that combines all the best parts of slapstick comedy and witty dialogue to ensure there is a joke that will appeal to anyone's sense of humor.
The synopsis for the film, from Amazon, reads:
It's a comedic carol of calamities as only the Griswold family can deliver as Clark (Chevy Chase) has his heart set on hosting an old-fashioned family Christmas. But he may change his mind when faced with a house full of bickering relatives, malfunctioning decorations, and uncertainty over his Christmas bonus. And what holiday celebration would be complete without the boorish Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid)?
More Christmas Comedies You Can Watch Now
Jingle All the Way (1996)
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad star as two rival fathers racing to buy the hottest toy of the year on Christmas Eve in this madcap Christmas comedy. Jingle All the Way starts as your typical comedy but continues to elevate itself into complete ludicrousness as it progresses towards its finale, but only for the right reasons that will always bring a smile to your face.
Home Alone (1990)
Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, a troublesome but whipsmart eight-year-old who is accidentally left behind at home in the Chicago suburbs as his family flies to Paris for Christmas vacation. However, Kevin isn't alone for too long as his house is targeted by the Wet Bandits, a pair of bumbling burglars played by Daniel Stern and Joe Pesci. As his mother (Catherine O'Hara) races home to be with him, Kevin prepares to defend his family's home from the dimwitted clutches of Marv and Harry.
A Christmas Story (1983)
Set in a small northern Indiana town in 1940, A Christmas Story is perhaps one of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time. All Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder BB gun, the only problem is, everyone keeps telling him the same exact thing: "You'll shoot your eye out." From schoolyard bullies, an unholy lamp shaped like a woman's leg, and a mean-spirited mall Santa, A Christmas Story is one of the most quotable films of the holiday season.
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