Steven Spielberg on set of BFGImage via Walt Disney
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André Joseph
Published 15 minutes ago
André Joseph is a movie features writer at Collider. Born and raised in New York City, he graduated from Emerson College with a Bachelor's Degree in Film. He freelances as an independent filmmaker, teacher, and blogger of all things pop culture. His interests include Marvel, Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Robocop, wrestling, and many other movies and TV shows.
His accomplishments as a filmmaker include directing the indie movie Vendetta Games now playing on Tubi, the G.I. Joe fan film "The Rise of Cobra" on YouTube, and receiving numerous accolades for his dramatic short film Dismissal Time. More information can be found about André on his official website.
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With Christmas just around the corner, there are several iconic films from the ‘80s that will be leaving Netflix. Some of these films remain influential staples of the decade, including Steven Spielberg’s most beloved works as a producer. Out of any movie from Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment to be removed from the streamer, The Goonies is the biggest surprise of them all.
Released theatrically in the summer of 1985, The Goonies was a modest hit at the box office, grossing $68 million worldwide. However, it became a timeless treasure among ‘80s babies over the years through home video and cable, holding a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The Spielberg production directed by the late Richard Donner (Superman: The Movie, Lethal Weapon) and written by Chris Columbus (Gremlins, Home Alone) helped to launch the careers of Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, and Oscar-winner Ke Huy Quan.
What Is 'The Goonies' About?
Frequently listed as one of the greatest ‘80s movies of all time, The Goonies follows a group of kids in the “Goon Docks” area of Astoria, Oregon, who discover a decades-old treasure map just as their respective homes are in the midst of foreclosure. The Goonies’ leader, Mikey Walsh (Astin), convinces his pals to embark on a quest to find the missing treasure belonging to pirate “One-Eyed Willy” and is soon joined reluctantly by his brother Brand (Brolin) and teenage girls Andy (Kerri Green) and Stef (Martha Plimpton). Standing in the way of their journey, however, is a local crime family led by Mama Fratelli (Anne Ramsey), who leads her bumbling sons Jake (Robert Davi) and Francis (Joe Pantoliano) to thwart the Goonies before they reach the treasure first.
While The Goonies never exactly became a billion-dollar franchise like Spielberg’s other ‘80s hits like Gremlins and Back to the Future, the family comedy not only captured the sense of old-school adventure like Indiana Jones, but also represented a snapshot in time when kids stepped outside to make discoveries. The young cast did not face a slimy creature invading their town or time-travel to the past. These were energetic kids talking over each other, pulling pranks, and constantly getting into trouble the way real kids do. Additionally, the Goonies often escaped trouble from the Fratellis using their smarts and wits rather than relying on modern tech, which would be the case if it were made today.
Aside from iconic moments such as Chunk’s (Jeff Cohen) “Truffle Shuffle” and Data’s (Quan) wild homemade gadgets, The Goonies is grounded with heartfelt emotion emblematic of the decade Spielberg helped to define. It’s through Astin’s performance as Mikey that mirrors the kind of wonderment pre-teens have, whether it’s having that first kiss as he did with Andy under the waterfall or his unforgettable “our time” speech under the wishing well. All the characters have their quirks and annoyances. But the earnestness of Mikey is the glue that holds the entire group together against all obstacles, including deadly booby traps.
What Is Happening With 'The Goonies 2'?
In the years since The Goonies hit cinemas, there have been countless movies like Super 8 and television shows such as Stranger Things and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew that took influence from Spielberg and Donner’s 1985 classic. It has also spawned video games, action figures, and anniversary events at the filming locations in Oregon. When it comes to the prospect of a Goonies sequel, however, efforts to find the right script often fell short of expectations. As Spielberg explained during the Reunited Apart special for The Goonies in 2020, "Chris, Dick and I — and Lauren [Shuler Donner] — have had a lot of conversations about [a sequel]...Every couple of years, we come up with an idea, but then it doesn't hold water."
Four years after Donner’s passing, Warner Bros. announced plans for The Goonies 2 with Potsy Ponciroli (Old Henry) tapped to pen the screenplay. Though the project remains in early development, recapturing the magic of the original will be a tall order regardless of who steps behind the director’s chair and getting the now adult cast to relive a once-treasured memory.
Stream The Goonies on Netflix today before it leaves the streamer on December 1.
The Goonies
Like PG Adventure Comedy Family Release Date June 7, 1985 Runtime 114 minutes Director Richard Donner Writers Chris Columbus, Steven Spielberg Producers Harvey Bernhard Sequel(s) The Goonies 2Cast
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Sean Astin
Mikey
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Josh Brolin
Brand
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Steven Spielberg
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