Why Is National Lampoon’s European Vacation Rated R?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re a fan of the National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise, you might be surprised to find out that one of its installments, European Vacation, is rated R. This may come as a shock since the previous movie in the series, National Lampoon’s Vacation, was rated PG-13. So why did it receive such an adult rating? Let’s dive in and find out.

The Plot

Released in 1985, National Lampoon’s European Vacation follows the Griswold family as they travel to Europe after winning a game show. The movie features Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold and Beverly D’Angelo as his wife Ellen. The couple brings along their two children, played by Dana Hill and Jason Lively.

The Reasons for the R Rating

There are several reasons why European Vacation received an R rating:

  • Nudity: The film features a scene where Clark accidentally enters a room with a topless woman.
  • Sexual Content: There are several sexual references throughout the movie, including scenes where Clark and Ellen attempt to have sex in public places.
  • Vulgarity: The film includes several instances of profanity and crude language.

The Reaction

The decision to rate European Vacation R was met with mixed reactions from audiences and critics alike. Some felt that it was an unnecessary rating and that the content was no worse than that of the previous movie. Others believed that it was justified due to the sexual content and nudity.

In Conclusion

While many fans of the Vacation franchise may not have expected European Vacation to receive an R rating, it’s clear that there are several reasons why it did. The film’s sexual content, nudity, and vulgarity were enough to earn it the adult rating. However, despite the rating, European Vacation remains a beloved and iconic entry in the series.