Common Sense Media Review
By Sierra Filucci
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Second National Lampoon vacation comedy has sex, fatphobia.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
National Lampoon's European Vacation
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 18 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a blend of funny moments and inappropriate content, featuring frequent sexual innuendos and nudity that many viewers feel do not align with its PG-13 rating. Despite some humorous scenes, it generally falls short of its predecessor in terms of family-friendliness, leaving many to suggest it is better suited for older teens rather than younger audiences.
- inappropriate content
- strong language
- sexual innuendos
- not family-friendly
- better for teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
The Griswold family, who made such a mess on their way to Walley World in their first outing, sets off on a similar journey in NATIONAL LAMPOON'S EUROPEAN VACATION. After winning a globe-trotting trip on a Family Feud-style game show, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and his wife, Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo), and teenage children Audrey (Dana Hill) and Rusty (Jason Lively) race through England, France, Germany, and Italy, packing in all the sights they can manage. Guided by jolly and oblivious dad Clark, the family nearly kills several Brits while driving on the wrong side of the road, knocks down Stonehenge, mangles the French language, gets chased by Germans in lederhosen, and becomes involved in a kidnapping and robbery scheme that ends in a dramatic car chase. Along the way, Audrey pines for the boyfriend she left back home, and Rusty flirts with every girl he sees.
Is It Any Good?
This broad comedy touches on all the funny and awful elements of family travel, from bickering siblings to managing unfamiliar customs. But teens might cringe at the way they're portrayed in National Lampoon's European Vacation, with Audrey obsessed with her boyfriend and accepting toxic messages about her body and Rusty falling into macho clichés about "boys being boys," getting drunk, and seeing his fair share of breasts. While the movie clearly aims to poke fun at extreme behaviors, some younger viewers might not understand the complexity of the issues.
At face value, the movie's typical slapstick stuff -- poking someone in the groin, silly car chases, etc. -- provides mild amusement, and a few scenes (like when the family lose their luggage and go boutique shopping in Italy) are truly laugh-out-loud. But the jokes that don't work fall incredibly flat, such as laughing at a teen girl who exhibits all the traits of an eating disorder, or having a much older man force a passionate kiss onto her. If you can get past these relics of 1980s-style humor, you might be able to find something to enjoy during the rest of the movie.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stereotypes. What kinds did you notice in National Lampoon's European Vacation? Are they harmful, or harmless? What function do stereotypes have in our understanding of different cultures?
Talk about relationships. What kind of relationships are on display here? Do these types of relationships seem familiar? Do the people in them seem happy? What's different about the girl Rusty meets in the end compared to the other girls he meets in Europe, and is that a fair portrayal of women overall? Why, or why not?
Discuss how movies often send toxic messages to girls about body image. What was Audrey's relationship to food and with her own body? Did the people around her help or worsen the situation? What are a few ways you can help or support someone who's struggling with an eating disorder?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 26, 1985
- On DVD or streaming : April 2, 2002
- Cast : Beverly D'Angelo , Chevy Chase , Dana Hill
- Director : Amy Heckerling
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexual content, graphic partial nudity, and language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate