National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 3: The Last Light (2026)

Starring: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, Randy Quaid

Genres: Comedy, Holiday, Family

The Griswolds are back for one final, unforgettable ride in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 3: The Last Light. This time, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and his long-suffering wife, Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), are preparing to sell their beloved home and move into a quiet retirement community. But Clark, ever the optimist and Christmas enthusiast, has other plans. He’s determined to go out with a bang—by throwing the most extravagant, over-the-top “Griswold Family Christmas” the world has ever seen. His goal? A display so massive that it will be visible from space.

As Christmas approaches, the Griswold family is reunited for one last holiday at their iconic home, but as expected, chaos quickly follows. Their grown-up children, Audrey (Juliette Lewis) and Rusty (Johnny Galecki), show up with their own families, only to realize that their father has gone full throttle in his quest to make Christmas the biggest spectacle ever. Clark has somehow managed to wire 500,000 Christmas lights to a nuclear generator he purchased online, and the results are as disastrous as you’d expect. What could possibly go wrong?

Adding to the madness, Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) rolls into town in a new RV that’s even bigger than the last, with his usual mix of outlandish behavior. To top it all off, Eddie brings along a “pet” reindeer with a strange and dangerous distaste for electricity. As the Griswolds try to navigate their chaotic holiday plans, they quickly discover that their family Christmas is quickly spiraling out of control. Exploding turkeys, power outages, and classic Griswold antics ensue, leaving the family in a whirlwind of hilarity and mishaps.

But underneath the madness, The Last Light is a heartwarming reminder of what family truly means—messy, frustrating, and unpredictable as it may be. As always, Clark Griswold’s well-meaning attempts to create the perfect Christmas provide both comedy and warmth, proving that no matter how out of hand things get, a Griswold Christmas is always an unforgettable experience.

Plot Overview: The Griswold Chaos Returns

Clark Griswold is determined to leave a legacy with one final Christmas blowout. Having spent years trying to give his family the best holiday ever, Clark sees the approaching move to a retirement community as the perfect opportunity to do one last thing in a big way. The Griswolds, despite having grown older and more distant from their once-chaotic family holidays, are brought back together for the festive season. With his endless enthusiasm, Clark sets out to create a Christmas display like no other.

Audrey and Rusty, now adults with their own families, are less than thrilled by their father’s plans. Audrey, who’s come back with her own kids in tow, finds herself frustrated by Clark’s obsession with Christmas perfection. Rusty, who’s now a father himself, is just trying to survive the Griswold family madness with his own kids in tow. Despite the mayhem, both are eventually swept up in their father’s latest scheme, leading to the usual series of comic disasters that only the Griswolds could manage.

Meanwhile, Cousin Eddie is back, and as usual, he’s bringing chaos along with him. This time, Eddie’s new RV, which is bigger than ever, adds an extra layer of confusion to the already out-of-hand situation. Of course, Eddie’s “pet” reindeer—who he claims has been “rescued” from a roadside circus—has a particular fondness for Clark’s Christmas lights, but a deep dislike for any electrical current, creating more havoc than anyone could have expected.

As Clark’s dreams of a perfect holiday turn into a disaster of epic proportions, the family is forced to work together to prevent the situation from spiraling completely out of control. The end result is a holiday filled with laughter, heartwarming moments, and the inevitable realization that, while perfection is unattainable, love and family are the real meaning of Christmas.

Classic Griswold Antics: Lights, Explosions, and Family Drama

What would a Griswold Christmas be without the trademark, over-the-top antics that fans have come to love? In The Last Light, Clark’s obsession with lighting up the house—literally—leads to a series of hilarious misadventures. From the moment he begins wiring 500,000 Christmas lights to the nuclear generator, nothing goes as planned. The lights flicker, overheat, and threaten to burn down the house, all while Clark’s enthusiasm and determination to create the perfect Christmas continue to clash with reality.

Then there’s the infamous Christmas turkey incident—of course, no Griswold holiday would be complete without a turkey disaster. The chaotic aftermath of a dry, overcooked bird leads to even more misfires, but it’s all part of the Griswold charm. With the house under siege from a combination of faulty technology, malfunctioning gadgets, and the impending threat of electrical overload, the family members scramble to keep their heads above water.

Meanwhile, Cousin Eddie’s contributions to the festivities are just as chaotic as ever. His overbearing presence, combined with his bizarre “pet” reindeer, leads to more ridiculous moments than one could count. Eddie’s antics provide the perfect comic relief, and his character’s absurdity has become a hallmark of the series.

Amidst all the chaos, there are heartwarming moments that reflect the true spirit of the Griswold family—one that, despite all the disasters, always comes together in the end. As the family rallies to save Clark’s Christmas dream from complete disaster, the message becomes clear: no matter how much goes wrong, the Griswolds are always a family at heart.

The Heart of the Film: Family and the True Meaning of Christmas

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 3: The Last Light delivers more than just laughs—it’s a nostalgic look at the importance of family during the holidays. Clark’s obsessive need to make everything perfect is balanced by moments of genuine love and warmth. Even when things go terribly wrong, the Griswolds prove time and again that family bonds are what truly matter, especially during the holidays.

Throughout the madness, Clark’s love for his family is at the core of the chaos. While his over-the-top plans often cause more harm than good, his determination to give his loved ones a memorable Christmas is relatable, touching, and, of course, hilarious. The film’s conclusion brings everything full circle, with a heartfelt acknowledgment that while Christmas may not be perfect, it’s the imperfections that make it special.

Conclusion: A Fitting End to the Griswold Legacy

Christmas Vacation 3: The Last Light is a hilarious, chaotic, and heartwarming chapter in the Griswold family saga. With Chevy Chase’s classic comedic performance as Clark Griswold, along with the return of beloved characters like Ellen, Audrey, Rusty, and Cousin Eddie, the film captures the magic and mayhem of the holidays in true Griswold fashion. The movie is filled with unforgettable moments, explosive disasters, and a message about the true meaning of Christmas that resonates long after the credits roll.

Verdict: 10/10 – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 3: The Last Light delivers all the holiday chaos and laughs that fans have come to expect, while reminding us all that, in the end, family is what makes Christmas truly unforgettable.