What Movie Is Rusty Watching in Christmas Vacation?

By Alice Nichols

If there’s one thing that Christmas Vacation fans love to debate, it’s what movie Rusty is watching when he utters the now-iconic line, “Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat?

Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?” Let’s dive into this holiday movie mystery and see if we can solve it once and for all.

First, let’s set the scene. In Christmas Vacation, Rusty (played by Johnny Galecki) is sitting in the living room in front of a television set. He’s wearing a red sweater with a white collared shirt underneath and appears to be thoroughly engrossed in whatever he’s watching.

Many fans have speculated that Rusty is watching It’s a Wonderful Life, as this classic holiday film is referenced multiple times throughout Christmas Vacation. However, upon closer inspection, it doesn’t seem like that’s what Rusty is actually watching.

One popular theory is that Rusty is actually watching National Lampoon’s Animal House, which was directed by John Landis – the same director as Christmas Vacation. There are a few pieces of evidence to support this theory.

First off, Animal House was released in 1978 – the same year that Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) graduated from high school according to his yearbook in Christmas Vacation. Additionally, when Rusty turns to talk to his dad after delivering his famous line, there appears to be a brief shot of John Belushi on screen – Belushi being one of the stars of Animal House.

Another possibility is that Rusty is watching A Charlie Brown Christmas. This theory stems from the fact that when Clark turns off the TV later in the movie, Linus can be heard reciting scripture from Luke 2:8-14 – which happens during A Charlie Brown Christmas. Additionally, Charlie Brown briefly appears on TV earlier in the film when Clark is flipping through channels.

So, what movie is Rusty watching in Christmas Vacation? The truth is, we may never know for sure.

While the theories mentioned above are certainly compelling, there’s no definitive proof to support any of them. However, it’s clear that this mystery has only added to the enduring popularity of Christmas Vacation and its memorable cast of characters.

In conclusion, while we may not have a definitive answer to what movie Rusty is watching in Christmas Vacation, it’s safe to say that the film will continue to be a beloved holiday classic for years to come. So why not grab some eggnog and settle in for a re-watch – maybe you’ll notice something new this time around.