Critic Reviews

Christmas Vacation (1989) Rank 4 Reviews

Expert Review Summary

Movie critics combined give Christmas Vacation (1989) a score of 2.9575 out of 4

based on (40) reviews

Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating

Excellent

(11)

Very Good

(23)

Good

(4)

Fair

(2)

Poor

(0)

Reviews by Score:

Movie Eye (David Litton)

They've traveled across the country to a closed Wally World. They've flown to Europe, and almost didn't make it back as a whole family. Now, they're tackling the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, not to mention a hoard of bickering in-laws, ...read the complete Christmas Vacation movie review at Movie Eye (David Litton)

DVD Up Close (Bill Treadway)

Little did anyone realize in 1989 that National Lampoonâ��s Christmas Vacation would become a perennial holiday favorite, mentioned in the same breath as A Christmas Story. Using his short story â��Vacation â��59â�³ as a starting point, John Hughes, as ...read the complete Christmas Vacation movie review at DVD Up Close (Bill Treadway)

eFilmCritic

And if you don't know who William Hickey is, I'm gonna come to your house and beat you with small woodland creatures until you DO know, dammit. ...read the complete Christmas Vacation movie review at eFilmCritic

The DVD Report (Britt Gillette)

Hands down, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is the best Christmas-themed comedy ever filmed. Personally, I make it habit to watch this movie about ten million times between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Even after seeing the film so many times ...read the complete Christmas Vacation movie review at The DVD Report (Britt Gillette)

Cinema Laser (Derek M. Germano)

What would the holiday season be without NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION? Probably nowhere near as funny. For me, watching NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION ($20) has become something of a holiday tradition, one that can generate more ...read the complete Christmas Vacation movie review at Cinema Laser (Derek M. Germano)

X-Entertainment

Its no secret that Chevy Chase is one of our national treasures. Any guy who can still get roles after being in the longest string of bad movies imaginable deserves our respect. But if you think Chevy himself is a bad, worthless actor...you're wrong. ...read the complete Christmas Vacation movie review at X-Entertainment

filmcritic.com

This time out the Griswolds aren't on a road trip -- they're spending a big family Christmas at home, filled with senile grandparents, and of course Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) and his white-trash brood. The usual holiday mishaps occur, from lights that ...read the complete Christmas Vacation movie review at filmcritic.com

Blogcritics - DVD review (Matt Paprocki)

They've been to Wally World. They've been to Europe. This season, things are a bit different. It's time once again to visit the Griswold family, this time for a little holiday cheer like only they can provide. "Christmas Vacation" is a somewhat ...read the complete Christmas Vacation movie review at Blogcritics - DVD review (Matt Paprocki)

DVD Authority.com (Matt Brighton)

When the name â��Griswoldâ��sâ�� comes up, everyone automatically thinks of Clark and Ellen (Chevy Chase and Beverly Dâ��Angelo respectively)â�¦then they think of their own family and how the two must be one and the same. Thatâ��s one of the enduring ...read the complete Christmas Vacation movie review at DVD Authority.com (Matt Brighton)

DVD Net (Vince Carrozza)

Clark W. Griswold, God bless him, just wants the best of everything for his family. The best family vacation (Europe, Vegas, Wally World), the best family car (the Family Truckster) and the best family seasonal festivities - ...read the complete Christmas Vacation movie review at DVD Net (Vince Carrozza)

Variety (Variety Staff)

Solid family fare with plenty of yocks, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is Chevy Chase and brood doing what they do best. ...read the complete Christmas Vacation movie review at Variety (Variety Staff)