The Goonies (1985)
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63% of critics liked it
(41 reviews) -
88% of users liked it
(501,767 ratings)
Leonard Maltin wasn't alone when he noticed similarities between Goonies and the 1934 Our Gang comedy Mama's Little Pirate. Adapted by Chris Columbus from a story by Steven Spielberg, the film follows a group of misfit kids (including such second-generation Hollywoodites as Josh Brolin and… More Leonard Maltin wasn't alone when he noticed similarities between Goonies and the 1934 Our Gang comedy Mama's Little Pirate. Adapted by Chris Columbus from a story by Steven Spielberg, the film follows a group of misfit kids (including such second-generation Hollywoodites as Josh Brolin and Sean Astin) as they search for buried treasure in a subterranean cavern. Here they cross the path of lady criminal Mama Fratelli (Anne Ramsey) and her outlaw brood. Fortunately, the kids manage to befriend Fratelli's hideously deformed (but soft-hearted) son (John Matuszak), who comes to their rescue. The Spielberg influence is most pronounced in the film's prologue and epilogue, when the viewer is advised that the film's real villains are a group of "Evil Land Developers." The musical score makes excellent use of Max Steiner's main theme from The Adventures of Don Juan, not to mention contributions by the likes of Richard Marx and Cyndi Lauper. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Richard Donner
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jun 7, 1985 Wide
- Studio
- Amblin Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
It's a charmless exercise: director Richard Donner turns the kids into shrieking ferrets, and his jumpy cutting seems to lag behind the action deliberately in a curious attempt to make the film seem more chaotic and cluttered.
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Derek Adams, Time Out
While the pre-pubescents continually scream, their doting parents prove equally odious in a finale of astounding sentimentality.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The Goonies is a smooth mixture of the usual ingredients from Steven Spielberg action movies, made special because of the high-energy performances of the kids who have the adventures.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
The Goonies has every imaginable funhouse flourish. It has crooks, bats, cobwebs, skeletons, a lovable monster, an underground grotto and a treasure hidden by some of the most considerate, clue-loving pirates who ever lived.
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Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
A classic '80s action-fantasy -- tweens will love!
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Sean Astin
as Mikey
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Josh Brolin
as Brand
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Corey Feldman
as Mouth
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Kerri Green
as Andy
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Martha Plimpton
as Stef
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John Matuszak
as Sloth
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Robert Davi
as Jake
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Joe Pantoliano
as Francis
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Anne Ramsey
as Mama Fratelli
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Jeb Stuart Adams
as Troy's Friend
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Steve Antin
as Troy
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Bill Bradley
as Bill
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Patrick Cameron
as Reporter
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Michael Paul Chan
as Data's Father
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Jeff B. Cohen
as Chunk
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Ted Grossman
as FBI Man
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Jack O'Leary
as Reporter
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Lupe Ontiveros
as Rosalita
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Jonathan Ke Quan
as Data
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Gene Ross
as Man in Shower
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Mary Ellen Trainor
as Mrs. Walsh
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Paul Tuerpé
as Sheriff
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Keith Walker
as Mr. Walsh
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Eric Briant Wells
as Troy's Friend
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Newt Arnold
as Man in Shower
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Curtis Hanson
as Mr. Perkins
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Orwin Harvey
as Tennis Player
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Charles McDaniel
as Chunk's Father
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George Nicholas McLean
as Mouth's Father
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Elaine Cohen McMahon
as Chunk's Mother
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George Robotham
as Prison Guard
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Max Segar
as Man in Shower
- Judy Taylor
- Mike Fenton
- Jane Feinberg
- Jeff Cohen








