Why Is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Rated PG-13?

By Anna Duncan

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a classic holiday movie that has been enjoyed by millions since its release in 1989. However, many people wonder why the movie is rated PG-13. In this article, we will explore the reasons why National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation received a PG-13 rating.

What is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation?

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is the third installment in the National Lampoon’s Vacation film series. It stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a man who wants nothing more than to have a perfect family Christmas. However, things don’t go according to plan when his extended family comes to visit.

Why is it rated PG-13?

There are several reasons why National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation received a PG-13 rating instead of a PG rating. One reason is language.

The movie contains several instances of profanity and crude language. For example, at one point, Clark says “Holy shit, where’s the Tylenol?” after experiencing a particularly stressful moment.

Another reason for the PG-13 rating is sexual content. While there are no explicit sex scenes in the movie, there are several references to sex and sexual innuendos. For example, when Clark and his wife Ellen (played by Beverly D’Angelo) are trying to be intimate, their attempts are constantly interrupted by their children or other family members.

Violence in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

There is also some violence in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation that contributed to its PG-13 rating. While most of the violence is comedic and not particularly graphic, there are still scenes that could be considered too intense for young children.

For example, in one scene, Clark gets so frustrated with his boss that he fantasizes about attacking him with a chainsaw. While this scene is clearly meant to be comedic, it could still be too much for younger viewers.

Drug and alcohol use

Finally, there is some drug and alcohol use in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation that contributed to its PG-13 rating. In one scene, Clark’s cousin Eddie (played by Randy Quaid) empties a chemical toilet into a storm drain while drinking beer.

While this scene is also meant to be comedic, it still shows characters engaging in illegal and dangerous behavior. Additionally, there are several scenes where characters are shown drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation received a PG-13 rating due to its language, sexual content, violence, and drug and alcohol use. While the movie is still considered a family-friendly holiday classic by many, parents should consider these factors before deciding whether or not to let their children watch it.