IMDb > The Great Outdoors (1988)
The Great Outdoors
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The Great Outdoors (1988) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 2 NEW)
The Great Outdoors (1988) -- A Chicago man's hope for a peaceful family vacation in the woods is shattered when the annoying in-laws drop in.
The Great Outdoors (1988) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.0/10   9,030 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 40% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Howard Deutch
Writer (WGA):
John Hughes (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Great Outdoors on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
17 June 1988 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy more
Tagline:
This holiday's no picnic. more
Plot:
A Chicago man's hope for a peaceful family vacation in the woods is shattered when the annoying in-laws drop in. full summary | add synopsis
NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
Reject Radio – Episode 13: Still? Lucy Lawless?
 (From FilmSchoolRejects. 10 August 2009, 9:54 AM, PDT)

John Hughes, An Appreciation
 (From PopStar. 7 August 2009)

User Comments:
Aykroyd and Candy: a great combo more (64 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Dan Aykroyd ... Roman Craig

John Candy ... Chet Ripley
Stephanie Faracy ... Connie Ripley

Annette Bening ... Kate Craig

Chris Young ... Buck Ripley
Ian Giatti ... Ben Ripley
Hilary Gordon ... Cara Craig
Rebecca Gordon ... Mara Craig
Robert Prosky ... Wally
Zoaunne LeRoy ... Juanita
Lucy Deakins ... Cammie

Nancy Lenehan ... Waitress
John Bloom ... Jimbo
Lewis Arquette ... Herm
Britt Leach ... Reg
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Big Country (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
91 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Filming Locations:
Bass Lake, California, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This movie was originally titled "Big Country" more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When they pull up at the bear dump, the girls asleep in the back change positions. more
Quotes:
Roman: Pontoon boat? Whaddya going to do with a pontoon boat? Retake Omaha Beach? more
Movie Connections:
References The Exorcist (1973) more
Soundtrack:
Big Country more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 12 people found the following comment useful.
Aykroyd and Candy: a great combo, 13 August 2005
6/10
Author: Lee Eisenberg (eisenberg.lee@gmail.com) from Portland, Oregon, USA

"The Great Outdoors" is what anyone would expect of a John Candy movie: completely goofy, but funny nonetheless. He plays Chet Ripley, taking his family on vacation in the wilderness. Unfortunately, Chet's unpleasant brother-in-law Roman Craig (Dan Aykroyd) is also there, and he just has to make everything miserable for Chet. In some ways, this movie seems to be rehashing "Summer Rental", but with a different tone. My favorite parts were the raccoons, the bear, and The Old '96er (I don't recommend that scene for squeamish people). All in all, it just goes to show what the world lost when John Candy died. He was really great.

P.S.: Annette Bening, in her debut, plays Roman's wife Kate.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (64 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Great Outdoors (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Why'd they stick a teenage love story between the lines? wizzaroot
ol' 96er foshobro
Could you have seen John Belushi play the role of Chet? Kelski1974
Brother In Law???? njs76655
about Roman's confession (spoiler) jockc
voice of the guy that does the trailer? wonderfall
more

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