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The Goonies

The Goonies (1985)

tomatometer

63

Average Rating: 6/10
Reviews Counted: 41
Fresh: 26 | Rotten: 15

An energetic, sometimes noisy mix of Speilbergian sentiment and funhouse tricks that will appeal to kids and nostalgic adults alike.

No Score Yet...

Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1

An energetic, sometimes noisy mix of Speilbergian sentiment and funhouse tricks that will appeal to kids and nostalgic adults alike.

audience

88

liked it
Average Rating: 3.8/5
User Ratings: 501,767

My Rating

Movie Info

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

PG, 1 hr. 55 min.

Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Comedy

Aug 21, 2001

Amblin Entertainment

All Critics (42) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (17) | DVD (28)

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.

February 1, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comments (12)
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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.

October 23, 2004 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | Comment (1)
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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.

August 30, 2004 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comment
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A classic '80s action-fantasy -- tweens will love!

December 15, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

The germ of the idea that ignites The Goonies, a movie of incalculable nostalgic value for many, comes from a deep well of nostalgia itself.

November 14, 2010 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | Comment
Slant Magazine

For some, The Goonies is a classic, but for others the film is simply a mediocre kids' flick.

November 6, 2010 Full Review Source: IGN DVD | Comment
IGN DVD

The movie starts out clamorously with a car chase and continues that way for most of its 114-minute running time.

April 18, 2007 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

...lacks charm, wit, or warmth, yet appears to remain a hit with children because of its frenetic pace, slapstick gags, goofy characters, and slightly naughty language.

April 18, 2007 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comments (11)
Movie Metropolis

You'll feel more like you were on a theme park ride than at a movie

March 22, 2007 Full Review | Comment
rec.arts.movies.reviews

Of its type, great fun--at least for kids.

February 6, 2007 Comment
Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers

Nothing more than cookbook filmmaking.

February 1, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | Comment (1)
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The Goonies is one of the best "kid" movies ever, appealing to the part of us that always believed adventure was waiting around the next corner.

September 1, 2006 Comment
Reel.com

Whether it's an organ that threatens death if the wrong note is played, a wishing well that talks back to you or a pirate ship, the surface of The Goonies is all about a child's innocence and faith in the unlikely.

July 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Movie Views | Comment

While the pre-pubescents continually scream, their doting parents prove equally odious in a finale of astounding sentimentality.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment

Director Richard Donner captures a lovely New England-type autumn chill and the feeling of impulsive, misspent weekends.

May 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | Comment
Combustible Celluloid

All parceled up in one of those gooey 'money doesn't buy happiness' endings so beloved by multimillionaire producers.

June 8, 2005 Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) | Comments (4)
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Goonies

Funny and exciting with more than just a hint of nostalgia. Full review later.

July 31, 2009
TomBowler
Thomas Bowler

Super Reviewer

A true Speillbergian adventure experience.

December 30, 2011
Lucas Martins

Super Reviewer

    1. Chunk: Michael Jackson didn't come over to my house to use the bathroom... but his sister did.
    – Submitted by cora d (2 months ago)
    1. Brand: I'm gonna hit you so hard that when you wake up your clothes will be out of style!
    – Submitted by Boomer C (6 months ago)
    1. Chunk: I love the dark, I love the dark, I hate nature, I hate nature!
    – Submitted by Boomer C (6 months ago)
    1. Sloth: Hey you guys!
    – Submitted by Rachel N (9 months ago)
    1. Mikey: Goonies never say die!
    – Submitted by Catherine G (12 months ago)

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Foreign Titles

  • Les Goonies (FR)
  • Los Goonies (ES)
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