What Is the Order of the National Lampoon Vacation Movies?

By Alice Nichols

If you’re a fan of the National Lampoon movies, then you’re probably familiar with the Vacation series. This iconic comedy franchise follows the misadventures of the Griswold family as they embark on various holiday trips.

So, what is the order of the National Lampoon Vacation movies? Let’s take a closer look.

1. National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)

The first movie in the series, National Lampoon’s Vacation, was released in 1983. It stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a bumbling family man who takes his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) and their two children, Rusty and Audrey, on a cross-country road trip to Walley World amusement park.

Throughout their journey, they encounter a series of mishaps and setbacks that test their patience and sense of humor. The film was a huge success and has since become a cult classic.

2. National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985)

Two years after the release of National Lampoon’s Vacation came its sequel, National Lampoon’s European Vacation. In this installment, the Griswolds win an all-expenses-paid trip to Europe after appearing on a game show.

While overseas, they find themselves in one hilarious situation after another as they try to navigate unfamiliar languages and customs. Though not as well-received as its predecessor, European Vacation still has plenty of laughs to offer.

3. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

Six years after European Vacation came National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. This time around, Clark decides to host his extended family for Christmas at his home in suburban Chicago.

As you might expect, chaos ensues as he tries to create the perfect holiday experience for everyone involved. With its memorable characters and quotable lines, Christmas Vacation has become a holiday classic in its own right.

4. Vegas Vacation (1997)

After an eight-year hiatus, the Vacation series returned with Vegas Vacation. In this installment, Clark takes his family to Las Vegas for a much-needed getaway.

Of course, things don’t go as planned, and they find themselves caught up in all sorts of hijinks and shenanigans. While not as well-regarded as the earlier movies, Vegas Vacation still has its fair share of laughs and memorable moments.

5. Vacation (2015)

Finally, we come to the most recent entry in the series: 2015’s simply titled Vacation. This movie serves as both a sequel and a reboot of sorts, with Rusty Griswold (now played by Ed Helms) taking his own family on a road trip to Walley World.

Along the way, they encounter many of the same obstacles that plagued Clark and his family in the first movie. Though not as beloved as its predecessors, Vacation still manages to deliver some solid laughs and plenty of nostalgia for fans of the original.

In Conclusion

So there you have it – the order of the National Lampoon Vacation movies! Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, these films are sure to provide plenty of laughs and entertainment. So pop some popcorn, grab your favorite beverage, and settle in for a wild ride with the Griswold family!