“Hey you guys!” This week’s Throwback Thursday takes us back to June 7, 1985, when The Goonies hit theaters and quickly became one of the most beloved adventure films of the decade.
Directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg, the movie introduced audiences to a cast of young stars including Sean Astin and Josh Brolin (both in their film debuts), Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, and Jeff Cohen as the unforgettable Chunk.
One of the film’s most iconic characters, Sloth, was played by John Matuszak—a former NFL player and two-time Super Bowl champion with the Oakland Raiders. Fun fact: his elaborate prosthetic makeup took five hours to apply, and as a nod to his football past, Sloth can be spotted wearing a Raiders T-shirt early in the movie.
Behind the scenes, Donner faced the challenges (and joys) of working with a group of excitable young actors. To capture genuine awe, he famously denied them access to the massive pirate ship set until the cameras rolled on their big reveal scene. Their amazement on screen? Totally real.
Filming took place over five months, mostly in Astoria, Oregon, with additional sets like the underground tunnels and One-Eyed Willy’s ship built on soundstages in California. Sadly, the full pirate ship was scrapped after filming—no one wanted to keep it!
Upon release, The Goonies opened strong, grossing $9 million its first weekend (second only to Rambo: First Blood Part II). It went on to earn nearly $64 million domestically and cemented itself as one of the top 10 highest-grossing films of 1985. Critics praised its mix of heart, humor, and adventure, and in 2017 the Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.
The film also ties into another 1980s classic: Gremlins. During a scene where Chunk calls the Sheriff, the officer references “little creatures that multiply when you throw water on them”—a direct nod to Gremlins. Not too surprising, since Spielberg produced both films, Chris Columbus wrote them, and Corey Feldman starred in each.
Astoria, Oregon has fully embraced its Goonies fame. The city celebrates “Goonies Day” every June 7, attracting thousands of fans for location tours, quote-alongs, and even record-breaking Truffle Shuffle attempts. In 2015, over 2,000 fans joined in the dance to celebrate the movie’s 30th anniversary. The Walsh family home also became a major tourist attraction, drawing over 1,000 visitors a day during peak summers.
And for fans still holding out hope for more? Rumors of sequels and adaptations have circulated for years, but in February 2025, it was finally confirmed: Steven Spielberg and Chris Columbus are producing a sequel.
Four decades later, The Goonies continues to inspire adventures, friendships, and a little bit of mischief—because, as every fan knows, “Goonies never say die.”