What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedVacation
John Francis Daley · Film · 2015
If you loved Vacation, start with The Detour (Samantha Bee, 2016) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Vacation across media.
If you loved the chaotic, cringe-worthy disaster of the Griswold family road trip, you will appreciate these hilariously dysfunctional travel misadventures.
Books on the same thread
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
Jeff Kinney · Book · 2014
Shares a thread with Vacation: Misadventures.
Much like the misadventures in Vacation, this story captures the specific dread of a family road trip where every attempt at bonding results in a total disaster.
The Getaway
Jeff Kinney · Book · 2017
Shares 2 threads with Vacation: Family Vacation, Misadventures.
You will recognize the same spirit of doomed family travel found in Vacation as the Heffleys attempt to escape their stress through a poorly planned getaway.
The Deep End (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 15)
Jeff Kinney · Book · 2020
Shares a thread with Vacation: Misadventures.
The cross-country camping trip gone wrong mirrors the structural chaos of Vacation, emphasizing how quickly family dynamics unravel when everyone is trapped in a vehicle together.
The Long Haul (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #9)
Jeff Kinney · Book · 2014
Shares a thread with Vacation: Road trip comedy.
This book captures the same cringe comedy and series of unfortunate events that defined the Griswold family trip in Vacation, proving that travel rarely goes as planned.
Series on the same thread
The Office
Greg Daniels · Series · 2005
Shares a thread with Vacation: Cringe humor.
The cringe humor that makes Vacation so memorable is the exact same engine driving this mockumentary, focusing on the awkward social interactions of everyday, eccentric people.
The Detour
Samantha Bee · Series · 2016
Shares 2 threads with Vacation: Family Vacation, Road Trip Comedy.
This series serves as a spiritual successor to Vacation, leaning into the same dark comedy and travel disasters that occur when a dysfunctional family hits the road.
Schitt's Creek
Eugene Levy · Series · 2015
Explores: Fish-out-of-water, Family dynamics, Class differences.
If you enjoyed the fish-out-of-water family dynamic in Vacation, you will appreciate how this show forces a privileged family to navigate a life they never expected.
The Trip
Michael Winterbottom · Series · 2010
Explores: Male Friendship, Midlife Crisis, Celebrity Culture.
While the setting differs from Vacation, the core appeal remains the same, as you watch two personalities clash during the forced proximity of a long road trip.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
The group dynamics and improvised humor here mirror the unpredictable nature of the Griswold family, creating a sense of camaraderie forged through ridiculous, high-stakes, and comical situations.
Dungeons and Daddies
Podcast
Explores: parenting, fish out of water, portal fantasy.
This podcast explores the same themes of parenting and fish-out-of-water frustration seen in Vacation, focusing on the absurdity of dads trying to manage their family's survival.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the main goal of the family in Vacation?
In Vacation, Rusty Griswold hopes to bring his family closer together by recreating his own childhood road trip. The family travels across the country with the intention of visiting Walley World, which they consider the coolest theme park in America.
Does the road trip in Vacation go as planned?
No, the road trip in Vacation does not go as planned. Although Rusty Griswold intends to create a perfect experience for his wife and two sons, the family faces numerous unexpected challenges throughout their cross-country journey to Walley World.
Who is the central character in Vacation?
The central character in Vacation is a grown-up Rusty Griswold. He leads the trip for his wife and their two sons, attempting to recreate a childhood vacation for his own children by driving them to the theme park known as Walley World.
Is Vacation a movie about a family trip?
Yes, Vacation is a 2015 movie directed by John Francis Daley about a family road trip. The plot follows Rusty Griswold as he takes his wife and two sons on a journey across the country to visit the theme park called Walley World.