RATING★ 6.3/10
VERDICT ABOVE AVERAGE
Vacation (2015) movie backdrop
Vacation (2015) movie poster

Vacation Hit or Flop?

Rating
6.3/10
🎯Verdict
ABOVE AVERAGE
👍 GOOD
  • Engaging Storyline
  • Strong Performances
👎 BAD
  • Pacing issues in mid
  • Predictable ending
201599 minComedy, Adventure
Audience VerdictABOVE AVERAGE
Box Office ClassStandard

Vacation

Vacation Movie Hit or Flop?

ABOVE AVERAGE

Verdict:Vacation is a confirmed FLOP based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.

With a rating of 6.3/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Comedy, Adventure genre.

Is Vacation Worth Watching?

Answer: Yes, Vacation is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies.

It features a runtime of 99 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.

6.3/10 3,896 votes
99Minutes
2015Release Year
Visual Story
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Vacation Review

Last updated: January 18, 2026

🎬 Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations

Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2015, Vacation emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Adventure domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Hoping to bring his family closer together and to recreate his childhood vacation for his own kids, a grown up Rusty Griswold takes his wife and their two sons on a cross-country road trip to the coolest theme park in America, Walley World. Unlike standard genre fare, Vacation attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Vacation features a noteworthy lineup led by Ed Helms . Supported by the likes of Christina Applegate and Skyler Gisondo , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Vacation (2015) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.3/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.

Vacation Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline

Quick Plot Summary: Vacation is a Comedy, Adventure film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Story Breakdown

The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Hoping to bring his family closer together and to recreate his childhood vacation for his own kids, a grown up Rusty Griswold takes his wife and their two sons on a cross-country road trip to the coolest theme park in America, Walley World. Needless to say, things don't go quite as planned. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
  • Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together running gags and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.

Vacation Ending Explained & Final Analysis

Ending Breakdown: Vacation concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.

The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of Vacation reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch Vacation?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want some laughs and light entertainment

Vacation Box Office Collection

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $31.0M
Worldwide Gross $104.4M
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

Vacation Budget

The estimated production budget for Vacation is $31.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Full Cast & Crew of Vacation

  • Ed Helms – Rusty Griswold
  • Christina Applegate – Debbie Griswold
  • Skyler Gisondo – James Griswold
  • Steele Stebbins – Kevin Griswold
  • Chris Hemsworth – Stone Crandall

Top Highlights

Ed Helms
Ed HelmsRusty Griswold
Christina Applegate
Christina ApplegateDebbie Griswold
Skyler Gisondo
Skyler GisondoJames Griswold
Steele Stebbins
Steele StebbinsKevin Griswold
Chris Hemsworth
Chris HemsworthStone Crandall
Leslie Mann
Leslie MannAudrey Griswold
Chevy Chase
Chevy ChaseClark Griswold
Beverly D'Angelo
Beverly D'AngeloEllen Griswold
Charlie Day
Charlie DayChad
Catherine Missal
Catherine MissalAdena

Where to Watch Vacation Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Apple TVApple TV
Amazon VideoAmazon Video

🏷️ Buy on

Apple TVApple TV

Parents Guide & Age Rating

R
Vacation is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.

Final Verdict

Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.3/10, and global collection metrics, Vacation stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2015 cinematic year.

Official Trailer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vacation movie hit or flop?

Vacation has received mixed reviews with a 6.3/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.

Is Vacation worth watching?

Vacation is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Adventure movies, but read reviews first.

Where can I watch Vacation online?

Vacation may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.

Best Movies to Watch if you liked Vacation

How Vacation Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for Vacation

🛡️

movieMx Verified

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.3
Vacation
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/vacation-296099" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.3</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">Vacation</div></div></a>

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More with Ed Helms

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