Are you a fan of the Vacation movie franchise? If so, you might be curious about which movie was first. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history of the Vacation movies and answer that burning question.
The History of the Vacation Movies
The Vacation movies are a series of comedies that follow the misadventures of the Griswold family as they go on various vacations. The first film in the franchise was released in 1983 and was titled “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” The movie starred Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a hapless yet well-meaning father who takes his family on a cross-country road trip to Walley World, an amusement park in California.
National Lampoon’s Vacation
“National Lampoon’s Vacation” was directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes. It was based on a short story called “Vacation ’58,” which had been published in National Lampoon magazine in 1979. The film was a box office success and became a cult classic, spawning several sequels and spin-offs.
Sequels and Spin-Offs
Following the success of “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” several sequels were made, including “European Vacation” (1985), “Christmas Vacation” (1989), “Vegas Vacation” (1997), and “Vacation” (2015). In addition to these sequels, there have also been two spin-offs: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure” (2003) and “Hotel Hell Vacation” (2010).
So Which Movie Was First?
As we mentioned earlier, the first movie in the franchise was “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” It was released in 1983 and starred Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold. The movie was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $61 million at the box office.
Why It’s Worth Watching
If you haven’t seen “National Lampoon’s Vacation” yet, it’s definitely worth checking out. The movie is a hilarious satire of the typical American family vacation and features some unforgettable moments, such as when Clark accidentally drags his aunt’s dog behind his car or when he loses his temper with a theme park employee. The film also has a great cast, including Beverly D’Angelo as Clark’s wife Ellen and Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie.
In Conclusion
In summary, the first movie in the Vacation franchise was “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” which was released in 1983. Since then, several sequels and spin-offs have been made, but the original film remains a classic. If you’re looking for a good laugh and some memorable moments, be sure to give this movie a watch.