Main Cast of the Griswold Family Christmas Films
The Griswold family Christmas films include National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), Christmas Vacation (1989), and the 2003 TV movie Christmas with the Kranks. The central Griswold roles were played by Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold and Beverly D'Angelo as Ellen Griswold. The 2003 Christmas with the Kranks starred Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis in the lead couple roles. The 2023 film Family Switch starred Jennifer Garner and Ed Helms as a family that swaps roles during Christmas. These films are distributed by studios including Warner Bros., Netflix, and Paramount, with box office totals tracked by sources like Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo.
Chevy Chase has appeared in multiple Griswold Christmas projects across three decades. Beverly D'Angelo reprised her role as Ellen Griswold in multiple sequels. The 2023 Family Switch cast includes actors such as Emma Myers and Brady Noon in supporting family roles. The films feature ensemble casts that include both original series actors and new additions for reboots and TV movies.
Box Office and Production Details
National Lampoon's Vacation grossed approximately $61 million in the United States on a reported budget of around $15 million. Christmas Vacation earned roughly $71 million domestically on a budget of about $25 million. Christmas with the Kranks was a 2003 TV movie produced by Columbia TriStar Domestic Television and aired on CBS. Family Switch (2023) was produced by Netflix and directed by McG, with a reported production budget typical of a mid-budget streaming original film.
The Griswold family Christmas franchise spans theatrical releases, television movies, and streaming originals. Production companies involved include Warner Bros. Pictures, Netflix, and various studios behind the TV movie adaptations. The films are based on John Hughes' short story "Christmas '59" and subsequent scripts by different writers. Streaming availability is tracked by platforms like JustWatch JustWatch, which lists current platforms hosting the Griswold Christmas films.
Key Actors and Their Roles
Chevy Chase plays Clark W. Griswold, the patriarch whose Christmas plans go wrong. Beverly D'Angelo plays Ellen Griswold, his wife who often supports his schemes. Randy Quaid played Cousin Eddie in multiple films, a recurring character in the franchise. The 2023 Family Switch features a different family structure but retains the Christmas chaos theme.
Actors in the Griswold family Christmas films include both legacy cast members and new additions for modern adaptations. The 2003 Christmas with the Kranks features Tim Allen as Luther Krank and Jamie Lee Curtis as Nora Krank. The 2023 Family Switch includes actors such as Jennifer Garner as the mother and Ed Helms as the father. Supporting roles in these films have been played by actors including Julia Butters, Nat Faxon, and others in ensemble parts.