Are you a fan of the National Lampoon’s Vacation movies? If so, you might be wondering just how many of these classic comedies were made.
Well, wonder no more! In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of the Vacation franchise and answer the burning question: how many National Lampoon’s Vacation movies did they make?
The Original Vacation Movie
The first National Lampoon’s Vacation movie was released in 1983. Directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes, it starred Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a bumbling family man who takes his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) and their two kids Rusty (Anthony Michael Hall) and Audrey (Dana Barron) on a disastrous road trip to Walley World amusement park.
This movie was an instant hit with audiences and critics alike. It spawned multiple sequels and even a spin-off television series.
The Sequels
Following the success of the first movie, five sequels were made:
National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985)
In this sequel, the Griswolds win a trip to Europe and chaos ensues as they try to navigate unfamiliar territory.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
This holiday classic sees the Griswolds hosting Christmas at their home with disastrous consequences.
National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation (1997)
The family heads to Las Vegas for some fun in the sun, but things quickly go awry when they become entangled with a group of high rollers.
Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure (2003)
This made-for-TV movie follows Clark’s cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) as he takes his family on vacation to a tropical island.
Hotel Hell Vacation (2010)
This short film was made for the internet and sees the Griswolds attempting to take a vacation at a luxury resort.
The Spin-Off
In addition to the sequels, there was also a spin-off television series called “The Griswolds.” It aired for one season in 1994 and followed the misadventures of Clark’s cousin Eddie and his family.
The Bottom Line
So, how many National Lampoon’s Vacation movies were made? In total, there were six movies: the original Vacation movie and five sequels. While some of these movies were more successful than others, they all have their fans and continue to be enjoyed by audiences today.