When it comes to classic Christmas Movies, there is no shortage of options, and everyone's definition of a classic Christmas movie is a bit different. There are the true original classics like It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. Along with 80's classics such as A Christmas Story and Scrooged. To classic animated Christmas specials, such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. As well as modern classics such as Jim Carrey's portrayal of The Grinch or Will Ferrell in Elf.
However, one Christmas movie is above the rest and the number one classic movie that everyone should watch is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. This film has everything and is the true embodiment of a classic family Christmas.
Despite the film celebrating its 35th anniversary, many of the jokes and tropes of the movie hold up to this day, from awful in-laws to terrible neighbors. There are too many relatable and quotable moments to mention, but below are some of the best moments from the flick.
The Best of Christmas Vacation
This movie wastes no time getting started, as the film opens with Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) his wife Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) along with their two children Audrey (Julietta Lewis) and Rusty (Johnny Galecki) are seen driving in their car to pick out the annual family Christmas tree. When the family encounters some rather reckless and aggressive drivers. Some comedic semantics ensure, resulting in the family's car getting trapped under a semi-truck and eventually going airborne before landing at the Christmas tree lot, mind you this is all in the film's opening scene, so the bar was set high immediately.
Flash forward to when we see the Griswold's return home with their comedically large tree, that just barely fits in the living room, we are also introduced to their neighbors Todd (Nicholas Guest) and Margo (Julia Louis-Dreyfus.) Although in most movies, and sometimes even in real life a Christmas tree can simply blend into the background, the tree in this movie is central to the plot and is actively involved in many of the scenes, including one of the movie's most famous, which we will dish on later.
Another iconic part of this movie is Clark's over-the-top Christmas light display, which infamously features over 20k imported twinkle lights, that fans of the film have even recreated in real life over the years. Initially, when Clark gathers the entire family in the front yard to show off his hard work on the house, the lights are not shining bright, prompting him to re-check each bulb individually. Eventually, the lights briefly turn on when one of their guests visits the garage and flips the light switch, however, they quickly turn back off.
This causes Clark to begin to freak out. However, thanks to Ellen helping investigate, she quickly finds the flaw in the lighting rig-up and flips the switch, just as Clark is jamming two extension cords together. Which leads to some sparks flying, the lights finally illuminate for good, and the classical music plays for the viewer. At this juncture is when we are introduced to Cousin Eddie – who is arguably the film's most iconic character – along with his wife, their two kids, and their dog Snotts.
Soon the big dinner is approaching, but first, we need to meet some more extended family members, including Aunt Bethany, who is more like a great, great grandmother, who is showing signs of memory loss and confusion. Her presence is instantly felt, as she brings gifts, which include her cat wrapped up, and a lime Jello salad leaking from its package.
During the dinner, Bethany is asked to lead the saying of Grace, but she is a bit confused about someone named Grace, who passed away 30 years before. After a little help, it seems she will begin, to recite Grace, but she goes off with the pledge of allegiance instead, resulting in a complete and utter what the blank look on Clark's face. Clark begins to carve what on the outside looks like a beautifully cooked turkey, but just as he slices into the bird, it splits open, revealing it is burnt into complete charred dust, prompting Eddie's wife Catherine, who made the turkey to begin to cry.
While the family is eating, there is a power flash, and screams of the aforementioned cat can be heard. Clark, Eddie, and Ellen investigate, finding the cat had perished as the result of chewing on Christmas lights. Ellen quickly corals the rest of the family back into the kitchen, to finish dessert, as Clark and Eddie clean up the mess. Soon after the tree goes up in flames, thanks to Uncle Lewis' cigar.
The tree being destroyed, provokes another outburst from Clark, as he gets a chainsaw and quickly cuts a tree down from outside, and brings it inside to replace the original. This leads to a confrontation between Clark and Ellen in the bathroom, where she confronts him asking if that is necessary. This leads to yet another of the movie's most iconic scenes.
As Clark and a few others are putting some decorations on the impromptu tree, Bethany is sitting in a chair and says she hears a funny sound. To which Lewis makes a snide remark. She again mentions a squeaking sound, Clark standing right by the tree, adds he hears it too. Then the camera cuts to the tree, and out pops the squirrel. Absolute pure panic and chaos ensued, and we get one of the most recognizable one-line quotes in Christmas movie history; as Grandpa Clark exclaims "SQUIRREL!"
An epic chase scene commences, that at one point finds the pest on Clark's back before Snotts chases the squirrel through and destroys the house. Eventually, Clark opens the door, and out goes the rodent, landing on Margo, followed by the dog tackling her. Clark swiftly slams the door shut and simply says "Gone." Margo returns home, utterly disheveled, leading to Todd asking, what happened to her, which results in her socking him in the face, then he falls backward over their couch.
Back at the Griswold household, the extended family intends to depart, however, Clark puts a stop to it and exclaims they're all in this together, and then the doorbell rings. It was a letter for Clark that he was expecting to be a bonus from his work. The B plot of the movie is that he put in a down payment on an in-ground swimming pool and needs the bonus check to cover it.
Therefore, when the company messenger arrives, Clark is ecstatic thinking it is his bonus check. Only to find out it is a subscription to a Jelly of the Month club. Clark gives an epic rant that has become a pivotal piece of pop culture history. During this rant, Clark jokingly says he wants his boss brought to the house.
Eddie takes this literally, and kidnaps Clark's boss, leading an entire swat team and the police force to invade both the Griswold and Todd & Margo's homes, as Here Come's Santa Claus plays. The boss has a change of heart, Clark does indeed get his bonus, and Aunt Bethany makes one final appearance and this time singing the final verse of the National Anthem on the front porch, as the Santa sleigh and reindeer lawn decoration is launched flaming into the air. In the final shot, see a proud Clark on the front lawn, quietly proclaiming "I did it." and, end scene!
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation can be seen airing on TV networks via cable or streaming platforms such as TNT and AMC. However, if you want the full experience with all the foul language, the movie is streaming included with your subscription on both Hulu and Max.