It’s been 40 years since a ragtag group of kids from the “Goon Docks” embarked on a pirate-fueled adventure that defined a generation.
Released June 7, 1985, “The Goonies” was produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, directed by Richard Donner and distributed by Warner Bros. Written by “E.T.”’s Chris Columbus from a Spielberg story, the film grossed $125 million on a $19 million budget and was added to the U.S. National Film Registry in 2017 for its cultural and historical significance.
The cult classic follows a group of childhood friends — Mikey, Data, Mouth and Chunk — joined by Brand, Andy and Stef, as they search for the lost treasure of “One-Eyed Willy” to save their homes from foreclosure.
What begins in a cluttered attic with an old doubloon and weathered map quickly leads the Goonies to a derelict coastal restaurant and into the crosshairs of the villainous Fratelli crime family. From there, the film unfolds with underground caverns, slick traps and a full-sized pirate ship hidden deep below Astoria.
Even after four decades, the characters’ camaraderie and determination have continued to captivate audiences.
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Sean Astin’s Mikey delivers the film’s emotional heartbeat, a soft-spoken dreamer fueled by hope. Ke Huy Quan’s Data, the group’s inventive gadgeteer, blends comic relief with heart. Corey Feldman’s Mouth and Jeff Cohen’s Chunk round out the group with sharp wit and unforgettable lines.
Many of the film’s young stars have since built impressive careers across film and television. “The Goonies” was also one of the earliest to showcase Quan, whose later comeback in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” added new layers of appreciation to his Goonies performance.
Josh Brolin, playing Mikey’s older brother Brand, would go on to lead major franchises like “Avengers: Endgame” and “Dune.” And let’s not forget Astin, the heart of the group as Mikey, who went on to win over audiences worldwide as the loyal Samwise Gamgee in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
But it wasn’t just the cast that cemented the film’s legacy. The character of Sloth — the misunderstood and disfigured Fratelli brother played by NFL player John Matuszak — became a symbol of unexpected kindness. His bond with Chunk, culminating in the line “You’re gonna live with me now,” continues to resonate with audiences today.
Despite being a family film, “The Goonies” didn’t shy away from peril. From skeletons to collapsing caves to the implied death of criminals, the stakes felt real yet always gave way to laughter and triumph. At its heart, the story is about growing up, standing up for what matters and believing in adventure when no one else will.
Filmed in and around Astoria, “The Goonies” continues to attract fans to iconic locations like the Walsh house, the former jailhouse — now the Oregon Film Museum — and Cannon Beach, where the Inferno famously set sail.
Deeply tied to its real-world setting, the film has helped turn Astoria into more than just a backdrop — it’s become part of the story itself. While the Walsh house is now a private residence and closed to tours, its owners remain committed to honoring the film’s legacy.
This year’s 40th anniversary celebration — organized by the Clatsop County Historical Society and Oregon Film Museum — invites fans back to Astoria, which the event website calls not just a setting, but a “movement.”
As generations pass, the film still resonates with young dreamers and nostalgic adults alike. The practical effects, quirky gadgets, and ’80s charm serve as reminders of a time when adventure was as close as the nearest storm drain, or attic.
Four decades later, “The Goonies” still inspires dreamers to chase adventure, believe in the impossible and hold tight to the friends who make it all worthwhile.
