Chevy Chase’s 7 Best Movies, Ranked

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The new CNN Films documentary, I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not, has brought Chevy Chase back into the public conversation, though likely not how he’d hoped. The film largely confirms long-held stories from his colleagues and directors, showcasing the personality traits that often frustrated them. Despite this, it’s undeniable that Chase was a major comedy star in the 70s and 80s—arguably one of the biggest stars of the 80s overall. He projected a carefree, nonchalant attitude, able to handle any situation with a smirk. The exception to this was his portrayal of Clark Griswold, who didn’t breeze through stressful moments, but rather persevered with a forced smile until inevitably reaching a breaking point.

Now that Chevy Chase is back in the news, let’s revisit his film career. We’ll take a look at his best movies from after he left Saturday Night Live during its second season, up through his departure from Community. Let’s explore his most memorable roles during that time.

7) Hot Tub Time Machine

Out of all the films on this list, this one’s unique because it was made after Chase had already become a big star. That means, unlike the others, he doesn’t get the main billing – he’s part of the ensemble cast instead, which is kind of interesting to see!

Chase, however, is clearly comfortable in this role – perhaps even enjoying the chance to be a bit of a trickster rather than simply fixing the hot tub. While he’s usually a leading man, this part, along with his funny performance as a doctor with a gambling problem in Dirty Work, suggests he excels in supporting roles just as much as leading ones.

Stream Hot Tub Time Machine on MGM+.

6) Funny Farm

Chevy Chase was most popular in the 1980s, but his career began to struggle later on. A clear example is 1988, when he appeared in the film Caddyshack II. Widely considered a terrible sequel, it’s noticeable that Chase didn’t seem enthusiastic about reprising his role as Ty Webb.

Another standout role was in Funny Farm, a movie that doesn’t get nearly enough credit. Chevy Chase truly shines when playing characters who are earnestly trying to succeed but constantly face hilarious mishaps. He’s at his best when things fall apart, like when he played Clark Griswold… or Andy Farmer in Funny Farm.

Stream Funny Farm for free on Kanopy.

5) Foul Play

Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn had incredible chemistry. Many consider Hawn his best on-screen partner, and she was actually the first guest ever on his talk show, The Chevy Chase Show.

Although Seems Like Old Times is an enjoyable comedy, their best film together is Foul Play. This fast-paced, fun, and charming neo-noir thriller really put Chevy Chase on the map, and he delivered a fantastic performance.

4) Caddyshack

Caddyshack isn’t a movie with a strong plot. It’s a collection of funny scenes all centered around messy, uncouth people disrupting the lives of stuck-up, unpleasant people – who aren’t much better themselves.

Chevy Chase’s character, Ty Webb, is unique because he’s incredibly wealthy but doesn’t seem to value money. He doesn’t play golf to win bets; in fact, he considers gambling a sign of weakness. He plays simply for enjoyment, to escape the pressures of the world – a role that perfectly suits his character’s detached and carefree attitude. It’s also noteworthy to see Chase and Bill Murray share a scene with such ease, considering their well-known, often contentious relationship during their time together on SNL.

3) National Lampoon’s Vacation

National Lampoon’s Vacation perfectly captures the feeling of a typical American family road trip. The movie also realistically portrays how challenging it is to keep everyone in the family happy. Chevy Chase brilliantly plays Clark Griswold, convincingly portraying both his desperate desire to please and his explosive frustration when things go wrong.

While this movie doesn’t have quite as many jokes as Christmas Vacation, some people see that as a good thing. And to be clear, the original Vacation is still very funny! In fact, many argue that its humor feels more earned. For example, we needed to understand Clark’s annoyance with Aunt Edna before we could fully appreciate the darkly comedic scene of her being strapped to the roof of the car. We had to witness the entire disastrous road trip to find humor in Clark’s outburst, like punching Marty Moose or holding a security guard hostage with a water pistol. However, the film’s greatest strength – what truly makes it a classic – is the brilliant chemistry between Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo, who play off each other perfectly.

2) Fletch

The movie Fletch really revolved around Chevy Chase – not like his later, unsuccessful talk show, but in the sense that he was in every scene. And as the main character from Gregory McDonald’s books, he’s perfect for the role. Like we accept that Batman can be both a hero and a detective, we easily believe Chase’s Irwin Fletch is both a skilled investigator and a really funny, confident guy.

As a huge Chase fan, I always say this movie has some of his absolute best moments. It’s not like he’s acting; he just is the character, saying things that feel totally natural, like that incredible line, “Don’t talk to me like that, assface. I don’t work for you yet.” It’s amazing how much of himself he brings to the role. But it’s not just funny, the mystery itself is actually really good and keeps you hooked. You genuinely care about what happens to Fletch, and even though he’s a bit of a smart aleck, you quickly see he’s a good guy who cares about people down on their luck or battling addiction. He only really gives people grief if they’re taking advantage of others. This felt like his perfect hero role, and he absolutely crushed it. Honestly, though, you can skip Fletch Lives. Chase is great in it, just as good as he is in our next pick (which came out the same year!), but the story just doesn’t grab you.

1) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Many people still love the first Vacation movie, and that’s fine. However, Christmas Vacation is definitely the most popular film he made, and a lot of fans consider it his best performance as Clark Griswold. While the scene with him hitting Marty Moose is humorous, his explosive rant ending with “Hallelujah! Holy sh*t! Where’s the Tylenol?” is truly iconic.

What makes Christmas Vacation so great is how consistently funny it is – almost every joke lands perfectly. A big reason for this is the fantastic cast, particularly William Hickey, Doris Roberts, and Mae Questel, who truly embody their family roles. The movie is packed with memorable lines and remains endlessly hilarious, but it also evokes a warm sense of nostalgia, which explains why it’s a beloved tradition in so many households. It’s remarkable that even people who don’t celebrate Christmas can connect with the film. Anyone who’s experienced the chaos of a large family, longed for a cherished memory, or felt flustered while trying to make a good impression will find something to relate to.

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2026-01-14 01:15