#276 The Great Outdoors - Did Critics Get It Wrong?
Aug 21, 2026 · 2h 26m
Summary
The hosts of Bad Movies Rule review John Hughes’ 1988 film *The Great Outdoors*, chosen by a fantasy league winner. They critique its California filming location despite the Wisconsin setting and discuss the dynamic between John Candy and Dan Aykroyd. The episode features personal anecdotes about family vacations, in-law tensions, and the hosts’ own storytelling experiences.
Topics discussed
Nesquik advertisement
Intro: Raccoons, John Hughes, and filming locations
Movie intro, critics, and Florida heat story
Fantasy football league champion Ryan Mueller
Twins reference, 80s technology, and car plates
Wagons, cabin, and brother-in-law dynamics
Camcorder surprise, Dan Aykroyd's speech, and bars
Pontoon boats, Silver Lake, and beach weather
Summer camp scary stories and bear myths
Raccoons, hot dogs, and teenage vacation hookups
Quick Trip snacks and water skiing mishaps
John Candy's cattail scene and the unwanted love plot
Bear hunting, California bears, and rowboat rides
Bar scenes, thunderstorms, and Walworth County Fair
Bat in the bedroom and the meat sweats steak scene
Teen romance, fishing, and the checkbook rescue
80s parenting, tree climbing, and rescuing the bear
Bear crash, shotgun lamp, and closing credits
Awards: Arnold Schwarzenegger casting and Wally
Awards: Will Patton, Dan Aykroyd, and Chris Young
Awards: Chef, Stephanie, and the Bear tie
Final verdicts and next episode: Bambi horror
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