The Great Outdoors is a 1988 American comedy film directed by Howard Deutch, and written and produced by John Hughes. It stars Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Stephanie Faracy and Annette Bening in her film debut. Plot: A Chicago man's hope for a peaceful family vacation in the woods of Wisconsin is shattered when the annoying in-laws drop in. Trivia: Famous for the Old 96'er scene the movie turns 34 years old this month. Shot in Yosemite National Park, California, USA and Bass Lake, California, USA. S