THE BEST COMEDY OF ALL TIME! The perfect movie to watch with the whole family (if kids are about this age). Very little nudity, pretty strong language, and a dog left tied to the rear bumper and dragged to death.
Tools for this page
National Lampoon's Vacation
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Funny family comedy, but dated and risque.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–18
The good stuff
What to watch out for
-
Violence :
-
Sex :
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About National Lampoon's Vacation
Parents need to know that this film's humor relies mostly on innuendo. While drug use and sex are never seen, they're very frequently implied and are generally the butt of jokes. The father of this family comes close to cheating on his wife but doesn't succeed and realizes that he loves his wife. Like every other social taboo this film encounters, the father's almost cheating is treated as a joke, as he is rather inept at it.
Read our full review by Afsheen Nomai
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about comedies. How can a dead dog -- or a dead old lady -- be funny? Can you think of other popular movies that turn disgusting and depraved situations into laughs -- or at least try to? How far can filmmakers push it before they've crossed the line into true tasteless territory? Who do you think most of these movies are targeted to? How do you know?
Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.
You are now subscribed to the Common Sense weekly newsletter!
To write reviews and create a public profile, complete your account set-up here.
Our Members Say
See all 15 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in CaliforniaI rate this title iffy for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Family Movie
- Lives in ConnecticutI rate this title on for age 5 and give it
I laughed so hard I had to go to the hospatol to get my stomach stapled.
I love this movie. I got it when I was six for christmas. I laughed so hard I really had to go to the hospatol to get my stomach stapled because my splean fell out. Well what I was trying to say is that this movie is pretty good for the younger ones because the sex stuff is mild and fly right over the littles heads. I don't know why it was rated R. My baby sister ( she was 4) did'nt get the sex stuff. This movie is difenitley a family comedy. So your kids will probbaly like this movie. And parents will too. Trust me you will NOT be dissipointed with this movie. But you will be dissipointed with epic movie. Check my review for that too. So bye till next time.
- Lives in PennsylvaniaI rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
I love this movie
This movie is an example of how much Clark can flip out. I love Chevy Chase in this one, also the moose (fake) that he punches. The scene where the aunt dies classic I love what they do to her. Check out The Christmas Vacation too.
- Lives in TennesseeI rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
It was good
This a true American classic. There are a few iffy spots, but not bad at all. Wow, shortest review that I have ever written.
- Lives in New YorkI rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.
Already a member? Log in
Our Members Rate It
Have You Seen it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
