The Goonies

1985

The Goonies

Critics Consensus

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

71%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 48

91%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 579,025
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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 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

Cast

Sean Astin
as Michael 'Mikey' Walsh
Josh Brolin
as Brandon 'Brand' Walsh
Jeff Cohen
as Lawrence 'Chunk' Cohen
Corey Feldman
as Clark 'Mouth' Devereaux
Jonathan Ke Quan
as Richard 'Data' Wang
Kerri Green
as Andy Carmichael
Martha Plimpton
as Stef Steinbrenner
John Matuszak
as Sloth
Robert Davi
as Jake
Joe Pantoliano
as Francis
Anne Ramsey
as Mama Fratelli
Lupe Ontiveros
as Rosalita
Mary Ellen Trainor
as Mrs. Walsh
Jeff B. Cohen
as Chunk
Keith A. Walker
as Mr. Walsh
Jane Feinberg
Mike Fenton
Curtis Hanson
as Mr. Perkins
Steve Antin
as Troy
George Robotham
as Prison Guard
Judy Taylor
Charles McDaniel
as Chunk's Father
Newt Arnold
as Man in Shower
Elaine Cohen McMahon
as Chunk's Mother
Michael Paul Chan
as Data's Father
George Nicholas McLean
as Mouth's Father
Bill Bradley
as Bill
Paul Tuerpé
as Sheriff
Jeb Stuart Adams
as Troy's Friend
Eric Briant Wells
as Troy's Friend
Gene Ross
as Man in Shower
Max Segar
as Man in Shower
Newton D. Arnold
as Man in Shower
Jack O'Leary
as Reporter
Patrick Cameron
as Reporter
Orwin Harvey
as Tennis Player
Ted Grossman
as FBI Man
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Critic Reviews for The Goonies

All Critics (48) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (34) | Rotten (14)

  • The Goonies has a rich and indomitable air of all-American innocence...

    Apr 18, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

    Peter Bradshaw

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • "The Goonies" is the kind of hyperactive peril-packed movie young audiences can't resist.

    Jun 6, 2016 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Kathleen Carroll

    New York Daily News
    Top Critic

  • The action at the center of Chris Columbus' script occasionally falters and generally feels manufactured, but the kids go about their chores as if convinced that all their make-believe is true.

    Jun 8, 2015 | Full Review…

    Arthur Knight

    Hollywood Reporter
    Top Critic

  • 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.

    Feb 1, 2007 | Full Review…

    Dave Kehr

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

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

    Jun 24, 2006 | Full Review…

    Derek Adams

    Time Out
    Top 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.

    Oct 23, 2004 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (48)

Audience Reviews for The Goonies

  • Jun 12, 2017
    A movie I have never seen until this weekend. Spielberg uses his magic to create a Indiana Jones type adventure featuring talented young actors who most have gone on to bigger and better things. It is well acted and written but can be too noisy that it distracts. I laughed and was thrilled at the same time. A great oldie but goodie for family viewing. 06-12-2017
    Christopher O Super Reviewer
  • Oct 02, 2016
    What it lacks in script, it more than makes up for in grand, perilous structure and heartwarming adventure. The Goonies is a classical combustion of laughter, discovery and booty (I mean, booby) traps. The cast and sequences are just as memorable and dynamic as its storytellers in Spielberg, Donner & Columbus. 4/5
    Eugene B Super Reviewer
  • Mar 09, 2016
    The Goonies is very nostalgic, fun and filled with a lot of adventure! A great film to enjoy with family and friends!
    Mr N Super Reviewer
  • Feb 28, 2016
    Typical Spielberg influences and something of a definite Indiana Jones vibe. This is one cult film I have only just seen the first time. I enjoyed it. It has that eighties magic that films now lack and is a good example of friendship.
    Ian W Super Reviewer
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