Every holiday season, fans eagerly queue up to watch the venerable classic, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. This year marks the 35th anniversary of Chevy Chase's unforgettable turn as Clark Griswold, the quintessential dad who is just trying to create the perfect Christmas for his family amid relentless chaos.
Debuting on December 1, 1989, the film quickly rose to iconic status, becoming one of the most beloved holiday movies of all time. Even today, it remains widely accessible for fans eager to experience its unique charm and laugh-out-loud antics. Throughout the holiday week, you can watch it multiple times on AMC, where it's part of the network's thrilling "Best Christmas Ever" lineup. Specific airings are scheduled for:
- December 24: 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. ET
- December 25: 2 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. ET
- December 26: 8:30 p.m. ET
- December 27: 4:45 p.m. ET
For those who prefer streaming, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is available on MAX and Hulu. Either platform allows viewers to enjoy the film subscription-based, for as little as $9.99 per month with ads. Alternatively, it can be rented for $3.99 on services like Amazon Prime Video or YouTube.
While the film's comedic content and nostalgic feel continue to enchant audiences, behind-the-scenes stories highlight the challenges faced during its production. Director Chris Columbus, who is known for the beloved classics such as Home Alone and the first two Harry Potter films, was initially slated to helm Christmas Vacation. His abrupt exit stemmed from his tumultuous interactions with Chase.
Columbus recounted his experience candidly during a recent interview with Vanity Fair. "I was signed on… and then I met Chevy Chase. Even with my situation at the time, where I desperately needed to make a film, I realized I couldn’t work with the guy," Columbus revealed. The director felt compelled to call screenwriter John Hughes to express his concerns, stating, "This is really hard for me, but I can’t do this movie with Chevy Chase."
The peculiar behavior of Chase during their meetings played a significant role in Columbus's decision to step down. Columbus described one such moment as particularly surreal: after Columbus had spent nearly 40 minutes laying out his vision for the film, Chase, seemingly confused, suddenly asked if Columbus was the director. Adding to the oddity, Chase remarked, "Oh, I thought you were a drummer." After this strange exchange, Columbus knew the collaboration wouldn’t work, leading to his exit from the project.
Eventually, the film was directed by Jeremiah S. Chechnik, allowing Columbus to direct Home Alone instead. Although National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation had some rocky beginnings, it turned out to be tremendously successful, carving out its place as the quintessential holiday movie. This beloved film has even become the favorite of many, as evidenced by poll results showing 29.6% of Oregonians naming it their top Christmas movie, far exceeding competitors like A Christmas Story and Elf.
For those who want to catch it, AMC continues to air the movie, allowing the holiday spirit to shine through. It encapsulates everything fans love about the holiday season: misadventures, laughter, and heartfelt moments. Whether on television or streaming, fans old and new can enjoy reliving Clark Griswold's fantastical attempts at creating the ideal holiday.
The lasting impact of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation not only brings joy to audiences year after year, but it also reminds us of the behind-the-scenes stories and challenges faced during its creation. It is these accounts, from Columbus's reflections to Chase's antics, which add additional layers to the timelessness of this holiday classic.