The Goonies (1985)
A young teenager named Mikey Walsh finds an old treasure map in his father's attic. Hoping to save their homes from demolition, Mikey and his friends Data Wang, Chunk Cohen, and Mouth Devereaux run off on a big quest to find the secret stash of Pirate One-Eyed Willie.
Details
Budget
$19,000,000
Rating
8/10 (5798 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Amblin Entertainment, Warner Bros. Pictures
About The Goonies
Released in 1985, "The Goonies" is an adventure-comedy focusing on a group of childhood friends in Oregon who discover a treasure map. The film follows Mikey Walsh and his companions as they embark on a quest for the lost treasure of One-Eyed Willie, hoping to prevent the foreclosure of their homes. Their journey involves navigating booby traps and evading a gang of criminals who are also after the pirate's stash.
The movie blends elements of adventure and family-friendly comedy, featuring classic treasure hunt tropes such as maps, pirate ships, and hidden passages. The narrative centers on themes of friendship and resourcefulness as the characters face various challenges. Despite some critical reception noting aspects like the children's boisterous dialogue, the film has maintained a positive reputation, particularly for its entertainment value and production design.
"The Goonies" has an IMDb rating of 7.7 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 77%, with a Metacritic score of 62/100. It is often cited for its memorable characters and its representation of 1980s adventure cinema.
Why you might be searching for The Goonies
People are often searching for this film due to its memorable elements like a specific kazoo sound effect, the booby-trapped house, and scenes involving a globe. Many recall it as an 80s movie about kids going on a summer adventure or finding an underground tunnel, often including details like a pirate treasure map and being pursued by criminals.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer describes the film as a constant stream of fun, packed with treasure, pirates, booby traps, and various adventure elements, noting its ability to engage both children and adults.
Read the full reviewA viewer who watched the film again found it to be a fun family adventure with good production design and a strong creative team, especially appreciating its Oregon setting.
Read the full reviewOne reviewer struggled with the initial noise and constant talking from the children but noted that the film improved as more action and less dialogue took over in the second half.
Read the full reviewA reviewer highlighted the strong beginning of the film, praising its capture of 1980s childhood energy and the seamless progression of the story under Richard Donner's direction.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can rent "The Goonies" on Prime Video. It was also previously available on Netflix. [primevideo.com](https://www.primevideo.com/detail/The-Goonies/0SCM04FS9S89LZUKPVY8D62PW7), [netflix.com](https://www.netflix.com/title/60000575)
While the characters and main adventure in "The Goonies" are fictional, Steven Spielberg's story was loosely inspired by the true story of the Santo Cristo de Burgos, a 17th-century ship that went missing off the Oregon coast. Archaeologists are still searching for the ship, with some timber found along the shoreline believed to be from the vessel. [collider.com](https://collider.com/the-goonies-true-story/)
At the end of "The Goonies," the children escape the cave with the help of Sloth, but believe they failed to find enough treasure to save their homes from foreclosure. However, Mikey's housekeeper, Rosalita, discovers a bag of jewels Mikey had taken from the pirate ship, providing enough money to stop the foreclosure. [screenrant.com](https://screenrant.com/the-goonies-movie-ending-explained/)
"The Goonies" is considered a cult classic from the 1980s, praised for its adventurous premise and energetic performances. Critics generally reviewed the film positively upon its 1985 release, and it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2017. [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goonies), [netflix.com](https://www.netflix.com/title/60000575)