You know the feeling. It’s a random Tuesday in December, you’ve got the eggnog (hopefully not in a moose mug yet), and you just want to see a cat get fried by a Christmas tree. But then you open Netflix. Nothing. You check Disney+. Not there either. Suddenly, you’re as frustrated as Clark trying to get 25,000 Italian twinkle lights to ignite.
Honestly, tracking down where can you stream Christmas vacation has become a bit of a moving target lately. Streaming rights are a mess. They bounce around faster than a greased-up sled.
As of early 2026, the situation has actually stabilized a bit, but you still need to know which "house" the Griswolds are currently living in. If you're in the United States, your best bet is usually a subscription you might already have, but if not, you're going to have to shell out a few bucks for a rental.
The Big Answer: Max and Hulu Are Your Friends
If you want to just click "play" without pulling out a credit card for a one-time fee, you need to head over to Max (the artist formerly known as HBO Max). Because National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a Warner Bros. property, Max is its "forever home." They almost always keep it in the rotation, especially once the calendar hits November 1st.
But wait. There's a twist.
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Lately, Hulu has been getting in on the action. Through various licensing sub-deals, the Griswolds often show up on Hulu during the peak holiday season. It’s sort of like when Cousin Eddie just shows up in his RV—unannounced but eventually part of the furniture.
- Max: Usually the most reliable spot for subscribers.
- Hulu: A common secondary home during November and December.
- Live TV Streaming: If you have YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo, you can often "record" it when it airs on TBS or TNT.
Why Isn't it on Netflix?
It’s the question everyone asks every single year. "I pay $20 a month for Netflix, why can't I watch Clark go crazy?"
Basically, Warner Bros. Discovery owns the movie. They want you to pay for their service, Max. While Netflix occasionally strikes deals for older hits, they rarely get the "big" holiday staples like this or Elf. It’s all about the "walled garden" strategy. They want the Griswolds behind their own gate.
Renting or Buying: The "Safe" Bet
If you’re tired of the "will they, won't they" game with streaming platforms, you can just buy the digital version. I did this three years ago and never looked back. No more searching. No more "expired" titles.
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You can find it on all the usual suspects:
- Amazon Prime Video: Usually $3.99 to rent or $9.99 to buy (prices fluctuate, obviously).
- Apple TV / iTunes: If you want that sweet 4K HDR quality, this is usually the best-looking version.
- Google Play / YouTube Movies: Good if you're an Android person.
- Vudu (Fandango at Home): Often has holiday bundles if you want to buy the whole Vacation series.
A Note for the International Folks
If you’re reading this from the UK, Canada, or Australia, things get even weirder. In Canada, Crave is usually the spot since they have a deal with HBO/Max. In the UK, it often lands on Sky Cinema or NOW.
Honestly, if you're traveling, a VPN is your best friend here. Just point your location to the US, log into your Max account, and you're golden. It’s a bit of a workaround, but it beats missing out on the "hap-hap-happiest Christmas."
Can You Watch it for Free?
"Free" is a strong word. If you mean "free with a subscription," then see the Max/Hulu section above.
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If you mean "totally free," you’re mostly out of luck unless you count the ad-supported "FAST" channels. Occasionally, platforms like Plex or The Roku Channel will host it for a limited window with heavy commercial breaks. It’s not the best experience—nothing ruins the "shitter was full" scene like a 30-second insurance commercial—but it works in a pinch.
Don't Forget Cable TV (Seriously)
I know, I know. Nobody watches "linear" TV anymore. But TBS and TNT run 24-hour marathons of this movie every December. If you still have a cable box or a login for a cable site, you can usually stream it live through the TNT or TBS apps. They practically play it on a loop until the tape wears out.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Movie Night
Stop scrolling and just do this:
- Check Max first. If you have it, search "Christmas Vacation" right now. It’s likely there.
- Check your "Live TV" apps. If you have a service with TBS, it’s probably sitting in the "On Demand" section of that app for free.
- Buy the 4K Digital version. If you watch this every year, the $10 investment means you never have to google "where to stream" again.
Now go find some eggnog. And maybe keep the matches away from the sewer vent.