Underrated Reboot of Classic 1980s Comedy Franchise Is Now a Major Netflix Hit

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Ten years after receiving negative reviews, a revival of a beloved comedy series is now a surprising success on Netflix. Recent top 10 streaming charts feature popular titles like The Perfect Neighbor and The Woman in Cabin 10. Right below KPop Demon Hunters is a comedy film that viewers are really enjoying and finding hilarious.

The comedy Vacation, a new installment in the National Lampoon series, is currently the fourth most popular movie on Netflix in the United States (as of the week of October 13-19). Starring Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, and Chevy Chase, among others, the film follows Rusty Griswold as he attempts to recreate a family road trip to Walley World. It’s performing better on Netflix than films like Taken in Plain Sight, The Maze Runner, and Despicable Me 3, though exact viewing figures haven’t been released.

Vacation Continues a Trend of Underappreciated Bombs Becoming Streaming Hits

Okay, let’s talk about Vacation. Honestly, when this reboot came out, I didn’t expect it to be a big deal, and unfortunately, I was right. Despite having a recognizable franchise and some big names attached, it really didn’t land. It’s largely faded from memory, and the numbers back that up – a dismal 27% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, and only a slightly better 45% from audiences. That’s a huge drop from the original, which critics and viewers loved. The problem? The plot felt uninspired, leaning way too much on trying to recapture the past, and the humor felt cheap and unnecessarily mean-spirited. It just didn’t deliver.

I’ve noticed something really interesting with Netflix – it’s become a place where movies get a second life! It’s not the first time a film that didn’t do well in theaters or with critics has become a huge hit on the platform. Just look at what happened with About My Father – it bombed with critics and didn’t make much money in cinemas, but then shot straight to the top 10 on Netflix! We’ve seen this happen with other movies too, like Madame Web, Life or Something Like It, and War Dogs. I think it’s because Netflix lets movies reach a much wider audience, and people get curious when they see something trending on social media. It’s amazing how a film can find its fans after everyone thought it had failed.

It’s hard to say exactly how popular Vacation will be on streaming services, but it has several things going for it. With a strong cast, plenty of laughs, and a high rewatch value, it should keep viewers engaged.

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2025-10-23 17:42