` ` ' ' '' celebrates its 25th anniversary this year . In 1989 , the Griswold family was n't so lucky in National Lampoon 's `` Christmas Vacation , '' the third movie in a franchise that included 1983 's inaugural `` Vacation , '' 1985 's `` European Vacation '' and 1997 's `` Vegas Vacation . '' The film was the third in the National Lampoon ` ` ' '' series . It was written by John Hughes based on one of his short stories .
` ` ' ' '' celebrates its 25th anniversary this year . The film was the third in the National Lampoon ` ` ' '' series . It was written by John Hughes based on one of his short stories .