What Age Is National Lampoon’s Vacation Suitable For?

By Michael Ferguson

National Lampoon’s Vacation is a classic comedy movie that has been entertaining audiences for decades. However, with its raunchy humor and adult themes, many parents may wonder if it’s appropriate for their children. In this article, we’ll explore what age National Lampoon’s Vacation is suitable for.

The Plot of National Lampoon’s Vacation

Before we dive into the age-appropriateness of the movie, let’s briefly review the plot. The movie follows the Griswold family as they embark on a cross-country road trip to the fictional amusement park called Walley World. Along the way, they encounter various comedic mishaps and obstacles that test their perseverance and patience.

Adult Themes in National Lampoon’s Vacation

National Lampoon’s Vacation is rated R for good reason. The movie contains several adult themes and situations that may not be suitable for young children. Some of these themes include sexual innuendos, drug use, profanity, and crude humor.

Sexual Innuendos

Throughout the movie, there are several instances of sexual innuendos and suggestive language. For example, there is a scene where the protagonist Clark Griswold fantasizes about a woman he sees driving her car in a suggestive manner.

Drug Use

In one scene of National Lampoon’s Vacation, Clark and his wife Ellen smoke marijuana given to them by their arty neighbors. While this scene is played for laughs, it does depict drug use which may not be suitable for younger viewers.

Profanity

The movie also contains several instances of profanity including strong language such as the F-word and other vulgar expressions.

Crude Humor

Finally, National Lampoon’s Vacation has its fair share of crude humor including toilet jokes and sexual references. While these may be funny to some, parents should be aware of their presence in the movie before allowing their children to watch it.

Suitability for Children

Given the adult themes present in National Lampoon’s Vacation, it’s safe to say that this movie is not suitable for young children. The movie is rated R, which means that it is intended for mature audiences and may contain content that is not appropriate for viewers under the age of 17.

However, older teenagers may be able to handle the themes present in the movie. Parents should use their discretion when deciding whether or not to let their teenagers watch National Lampoon’s Vacation.

Conclusion

In summary, National Lampoon’s Vacation is a classic comedy movie that contains several adult themes and situations. Parents should be aware of these themes and use discretion when deciding whether or not to let their children watch the movie. While it may be suitable for older teenagers, younger children should steer clear of this R-rated film.