Vacation

Rusty Griswold, now an over-eager father, decides to recreate the perfect family vacation he remembers from childhood by driving his wife and two sons to Walley World. What begins as a well-meaning plan to reconnect quickly unravels into a series of chaotic misadventures, ill-timed encounters, and escalating bad luck that test the patience and bonds of the Griswold clan. The film keeps the focus on slapstick set pieces and awkward family dynamics, balancing gross-out gags with tender moments as the family copes with modern parenting, sibling rivalry, and the unrealistic weight of nostalgia, all while trying to keep the trip moving toward that elusive theme park.

Released in 2015 and directed by John Francis Daley, the movie reboots John Hughes' Vacation characters with Jonathan Goldstein credited among the creators, updating the classic road comedy for a contemporary audience and cast.

Produced on a modest budget reportedly near $31 million, Vacation turned a solid profit, grossing over $100 million worldwide, showing there was still commercial interest in the Griswold name despite mixed critical response.

The movie reignited conversations about reviving beloved properties, and Chris Hemsworth's cameo as the inappropriate Stone Crandall grabbed headlines and social media attention. Casting Ed Helms and Christina Applegate as Rusty and Debbie drew notice for flipping expectations about the grown-up Griswolds while nods to the original films kept longtime fans engaged.

Critics and audiences were split, with average user ratings around 6.3 out of 10 from several thousand votes. Reviewers flagged the film's reliance on raunchy humor and hit-or-miss pacing, while others appreciated its moments of sincerity about family pressure and nostalgia. Overall, Vacation plays as a loud, often silly attempt to bridge old-school road comedy with modern sensibilities, trading subtlety for broad laughs.