How Many Times Does the Doorbell Ring in Christmas Vacation?

By Michael Ferguson

Have you ever watched the classic holiday movie “Christmas Vacation”? If so, you may have noticed a recurring theme throughout the film – the doorbell ringing. But just how many times does it ring?

Well, we did some research and found that the doorbell rings a total of seven times throughout the movie. Each time it rings, it brings a new visitor or surprise to the Griswold family’s holiday celebration.

Let’s take a closer look at each instance of the doorbell ringing:

The First Ring

The first time we hear the doorbell in “Christmas Vacation” is when Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) goes outside to check on his Christmas lights. He accidentally causes a city-wide power outage and when he returns inside, his wife Ellen (played by Beverly D’Angelo) asks if he checked to see who was at the door.

The Second Ring

The second time we hear the doorbell is when Ellen’s parents, Art and Francis, arrive at the Griswold house for Christmas Eve dinner. Clark is excited to see them but also nervous about impressing them.

The Third Ring

The third time we hear the doorbell is when Todd and Margo, Clark’s neighbors, come over to ask about his excessive use of electricity. This encounter leads to one of the most memorable lines in the movie – “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?”

The Fourth Ring

The fourth time we hear the doorbell is when Uncle Louis unexpectedly arrives with Aunt Bethany. They bring a cat as a gift for the Griswolds but end up losing it in their car.

The Fifth Ring

The fifth time we hear the doorbell is when Clark’s boss, Frank Shirley, shows up unexpectedly at the Griswold house. Clark had sent him a gift basket earlier in the movie and hoped to get a big Christmas bonus in return.

The Sixth Ring

The sixth time we hear the doorbell is when Clark’s cousin-in-law Eddie arrives unannounced with his family. They are parked outside in their RV and need a place to stay for the night.

The Seventh Ring

The seventh and final time we hear the doorbell is when Clark receives his long-awaited Christmas bonus from Frank Shirley. It turns out to be a jelly-of-the-month club subscription instead of a monetary bonus, which sets off a chain of events that almost ruins the Griswold’s holiday celebration.

In Conclusion

So there you have it – the doorbell rings seven times in “Christmas Vacation”. Each ring brings its own unique twist to the story and adds to the overall hilarity of this beloved holiday classic.