Vacation

  • 2015
  • R
  • 99m
movieMx RATING
6.3/103.9K
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Performance & Direction: Vacation Review

Last updated: February 20, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 20, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Vacation (2015) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.

🎭 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.
Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, Vacation stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: Vacation

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2015, Vacation is a Comedy, Adventure film directed by John Francis Daley. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Ed Helms.

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 production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks 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. Ed Helms's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.

Ending Explained: Vacation

Ending Breakdown: Directed by John Francis Daley, 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 involving Ed Helms, 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 Ed Helms or the director
  • Want some laughs and light entertainment

Box Office Collection: Vacation

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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Top Cast: Vacation

All Cast & Crew →
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
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Where to Watch Vacation Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Amazon VideoAmazon Video

🏷️ Buy on

Apple TV StoreApple TV Store

Vacation Parents Guide & Age Rating

2015 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Vacation age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

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

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Vacation is 99 minutes (1h 39m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, Vacation is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2015 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for Vacation. Rating: 6.3/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vacation worth watching?

Vacation is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Vacation parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Vacation identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Vacation?

The total duration of Vacation is 99 minutes, which is approximately 1h 39m long.

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Critic Reviews for Vacation

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

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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