National Lampoons Christmas Vacation 2: The Next Generation
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation 2: The Next Generation stars Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, and Johnny Galecki.
Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, is returning to the screen with a renewed and perhaps ill-advised determination to host the happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tapped with Danny Kaye. It has been decades since the legendary disaster involving a giant, flammable Christmas tree and an unexpected SWAT team raid, but Clark remains undeterred. Now in 2026, Clark and Ellen, played by Beverly D’Angelo, decide the time is right to host one final, ultimate family gathering to cement their legacy. However, in a modern world, the stakes are significantly higher, the LED lights are blindingly brighter, and the potential for a total technological catastrophe is infinite.

In this installment, the holiday torch is partially passed down to the grown children, Audrey and Rusty. Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki return to their iconic roles, bringing their own chaotic families and modern sensibilities back to the old Griswold homestead. The classic Griswold luck remains unchanged as Clarkâs obsession with a perfect, high-tech holiday begins to unravel. A massive drone light show intended to dazzle the neighbors ends up short-circuiting the power grid for the entire county, and an experimental organic turkey prepared by the kids seems to take on a life of its own in the kitchen.

The family wonders about the whereabouts of Cousin Eddie, who is missing from the guest list until a familiar, mysterious, and incredibly rusty RV suddenly parks on the pristine front lawn. His arrival brings a whole new level of uninvited holiday cheer and property damage that only a Griswold Christmas could provide.

Packed with physical slapstick humor, heart-wrenching moments of nostalgia, and the signature resilience of the Griswold clan, this sequel proves that while technology and trends change, family dysfunction is truly timeless. Pour yourself a large glass of eggnog and prepare for a holiday celebration where everything that can go wrong will go wrong in the most hilarious and spectacular way possible.