The Best Movies About Vacations
There’s nothing better than the holidays or summer break when we can finally break away from our normal, boring schedule and head off on an amazing trip! Family vacations and other trips are some of the most memorable times in our lives. It’s no wonder so many movies have been made about vacation stories. What are the best movies about vacations? Vote for the vacation films you think are the best below and see what comes out on top! There are more comedy vacation movies on this list like Vacation along with dramas and .
The movies featured on this list all center around a vacation in one way or another, from the worst family trips people have ever taken to some truly miserable, but hilarious, bachelor party trips. This list features some very inspirational, sweet films and some very funny, comedies, and summer vacation movies. There’s a vacation for everyone! These are also great movies to watch while you’re on a vacation.
This list ranks the best movies about vacations including, Jaws, Weekend at Bernie’s, Taking Woodstock, Dazed and Confused, The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Beach, Grown Ups, The Seven Year Itch, The Hangover, RV, Meatballs, Adventureland, The Trip, and Little Miss Sunshine. Vote up the best vacation movies and vote down any that you think other fans should skip.
-
1
National Lampoon’s Vacation
Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Christie BrinkleyA hilarious and iconic classic, this film follows the ill-fated Griswold family as they embark on a cross-country road trip to the fictional amusement park Walley World. Chevy Chase stars as the bumbling, determined patriarch, Clark Griswold, who stops at nothing to ensure his family has the perfect vacation. Along the way, they encounter various misadventures, adding plenty of laughs for travel enthusiasts and families alike.
- Released: 1983
- Directed by: Harold Ramis
- Also ranks #3 on The 70+ Best Movies From 1983, Ranked
- Also ranks #3 on The Best ’80s Comedy Movies, Ranked
- Also ranks #4 on The Funniest Road Trip Comedy Movies
featured
paid
-
2
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Randy QuaidIn this beloved holiday favorite, Chevy Chase returns as the hapless Clark Griswold, trying to create the ultimate Christmas experience for his family. Despite Clark’s best intentions, the Griswold family faces mishap after mishap, including disastrous lights displays and unexpected houseguests. This movie presents a comedic take on traditional festive gatherings, making it an essential watch for those seeking light-hearted fun during their seasonal vacation.
- Released: 1989
- Directed by: Jeremiah S. Chechik
- Dig Deeper The Funniest Lines From ‘Christmas Vacation’
- Also ranks #1 on The Funniest Christmas Comedy Movies
- Also ranks #1 on The Best Comedy Movie Sequels
featured
paid
-
3
The Hangover
Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach GalifianakisThis raucous comedy offers an unforgettable journey through Las Vegas as three groomsmen, played by Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis, attempt to retrace their steps from a wild, forgotten night. Along the way, they search for their missing friend and groom-to-be (Justin Bartha) while encountering tigers, a baby, and even Mike Tyson. The Hangover serves as the ultimate cautionary tale for all who seek a night of revelry and a memorable vacation gone wrong.
- Released: 2009
- Directed by: Todd Phillips
- Also ranks #1 on The Funniest Movies About Vegas
- Also ranks #1 on Basic Bro Movies Guys Always Try To Force Their Girlfriends To Watch
- Also ranks #2 on The 51 Best Party Movies Ever Made, Ranked
featured
subscription
paid
-
4
The Great Outdoors
Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Stephanie FaracyJohn Candy and Dan Aykroyd star as two polar opposite brothers-in-law attempting to enjoy a serene family vacation in the rural Wisconsin woods. Despite their best efforts to bond, the duo finds themselves at odds as they face encounters with bears, raccoons, and even a waterskiing mishap. This comedic gem captures the essence of family vacations, emphasizing the importance of persistence despite the chaos that often ensues.
- Released: 1988
- Directed by: Howard Deutch
- Also ranks #1 on Movies Set In Wisconsin, Ranked
- Also ranks #4 on The 70+ Best Movies With Dan Aykroyd
- Also ranks #6 on The 30 Best PG Slapstick Comedies That Will Leave Your Family In Stitches
featured
subscription
paid
-
5
Weekend at Bernie’s
Andrew McCarthy, Jonathan Silverman, Terry KiserFor fans of dark comedies, this hilarious 80s classic follows two young insurance workers, played by Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman, who discover their unscrupulous boss has been committing fraud. Upon arriving at his luxurious beach house to confront him, they find him dead but decide to pretend he’s still alive to ensure their weekend vacation continues undisturbed. Farcical and light-hearted, Weekend at Bernie’s promises to entertain anyone seeking an unconventional vacation movie experience.
- Released: 1989
- Directed by: Ted Kotcheff
- Also ranks #4 on The 40+ Best Andrew McCarthy Movies
- Also ranks #6 on 15 Movies Where Characters Have To Figure Out What To Do With A Dead Body
- Also ranks #7 on The Funniest Movies About Death & Dying
featured
subscription
paid
-
6
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk, Katrina BowdenA clever horror-comedy twist on the stereotypical hillbilly slasher trope, this cult favorite features Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine as well-meaning bumpkins whose West Virginian retreat takes a gruesome turn when they cross paths with terror-stricken college kids. Offering hilarity, heart, and scares, this genre-bending film provides a unique escape for those seeking unconventional vacation programming.
- Released: 2010
- Directed by: Eli Craig
- Also ranks #1 on The Funniest Character Deaths In Horror Movies
- Also ranks #1 on New Cult Classics From The 2010s, Ranked
- Also ranks #1 on Pretty Good Movies On Netflix Inspired By ’80s Horror
featured
paid
National Lampoon’s Vacation
A hilarious and iconic classic, this film follows the ill-fated Griswold family as they embark on a cross-country road trip to the fictional amusement park Walley World. Chevy Chase stars as the bumbling, determined patriarch, Clark Griswold, who stops at nothing to ensure his family has the perfect vacation. Along the way, they encounter various misadventures, adding plenty of laughs for travel enthusiasts and families alike.
- Released: 1983
- Directed by: Harold Ramis
- Also ranks #3 on The 70+ Best Movies From 1983, Ranked
- Also ranks #3 on The Best ’80s Comedy Movies, Ranked
- Also ranks #4 on The Funniest Road Trip Comedy Movies
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
In this beloved holiday favorite, Chevy Chase returns as the hapless Clark Griswold, trying to create the ultimate Christmas experience for his family. Despite Clark’s best intentions, the Griswold family faces mishap after mishap, including disastrous lights displays and unexpected houseguests. This movie presents a comedic take on traditional festive gatherings, making it an essential watch for those seeking light-hearted fun during their seasonal vacation.
- Released: 1989
- Directed by: Jeremiah S. Chechik
- Dig Deeper The Funniest Lines From ‘Christmas Vacation’
- Also ranks #1 on The Funniest Christmas Comedy Movies
- Also ranks #1 on The Best Comedy Movie Sequels
The Hangover
This raucous comedy offers an unforgettable journey through Las Vegas as three groomsmen, played by Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis, attempt to retrace their steps from a wild, forgotten night. Along the way, they search for their missing friend and groom-to-be (Justin Bartha) while encountering tigers, a baby, and even Mike Tyson. The Hangover serves as the ultimate cautionary tale for all who seek a night of revelry and a memorable vacation gone wrong.
- Released: 2009
- Directed by: Todd Phillips
- Also ranks #1 on The Funniest Movies About Vegas
- Also ranks #1 on Basic Bro Movies Guys Always Try To Force Their Girlfriends To Watch
- Also ranks #2 on The 51 Best Party Movies Ever Made, Ranked
The Great Outdoors
John Candy and Dan Aykroyd star as two polar opposite brothers-in-law attempting to enjoy a serene family vacation in the rural Wisconsin woods. Despite their best efforts to bond, the duo finds themselves at odds as they face encounters with bears, raccoons, and even a waterskiing mishap. This comedic gem captures the essence of family vacations, emphasizing the importance of persistence despite the chaos that often ensues.
- Released: 1988
- Directed by: Howard Deutch
- Also ranks #1 on Movies Set In Wisconsin, Ranked
- Also ranks #4 on The 70+ Best Movies With Dan Aykroyd
- Also ranks #6 on The 30 Best PG Slapstick Comedies That Will Leave Your Family In Stitches
Weekend at Bernie’s
For fans of dark comedies, this hilarious 80s classic follows two young insurance workers, played by Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman, who discover their unscrupulous boss has been committing fraud. Upon arriving at his luxurious beach house to confront him, they find him dead but decide to pretend he’s still alive to ensure their weekend vacation continues undisturbed. Farcical and light-hearted, Weekend at Bernie’s promises to entertain anyone seeking an unconventional vacation movie experience.
- Released: 1989
- Directed by: Ted Kotcheff
- Also ranks #4 on The 40+ Best Andrew McCarthy Movies
- Also ranks #6 on 15 Movies Where Characters Have To Figure Out What To Do With A Dead Body
- Also ranks #7 on The Funniest Movies About Death & Dying
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
A clever horror-comedy twist on the stereotypical hillbilly slasher trope, this cult favorite features Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine as well-meaning bumpkins whose West Virginian retreat takes a gruesome turn when they cross paths with terror-stricken college kids. Offering hilarity, heart, and scares, this genre-bending film provides a unique escape for those seeking unconventional vacation programming.
- Released: 2010
- Directed by: Eli Craig
- Also ranks #1 on The Funniest Character Deaths In Horror Movies
- Also ranks #1 on New Cult Classics From The 2010s, Ranked
- Also ranks #1 on Pretty Good Movies On Netflix Inspired By ’80s Horror
