The Goonies

The Goonies was a hit movie in 1985, produced by Steven Spielberg, and directed by Richard Donner, with the screenplay written by Chris Columbus from Spielberg's story. It was a film about a band of kids from a section of Astoria, Oregon called the "Goon Docks". The "Goonies", hoping to save the Goon Docks from demolition, go on an adventure to find the buried treasure of a legendary pirate named One-Eyed Willie.

A popular soundtrack was released for the film featuring music by Cyndi Lauper, REO Speedwagon and others (see The Goonies: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). The Goonies (except Kerri Green) appeared alongside famous professional wrestlers (including Rowdy Roddy Piper and Captain Lou Albano) in the 12-minute "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough" music video. Lauper also had a cameo as herself in the movie performing this song on TV. Steven Spielberg had a cameo as himself in "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough" music video.

When greedy developers plan to buy the entire Goon Docks to demolish it and turn into a golf course, several children from the Goon Docks area decide to have one last adventure together as a group, calling themselves "The Goonies"-- consisting of Mikey, Brand, Mouth, Data, Stef, Andy, and Chunk. (The latter whom must first perform the now-famous "Truffle Shuffle" before being allowed to join the others.) In his father's attic, Mikey finds an old treasure map that supposedly leads to the secret stash of a legendary 17th century pirate named "One-Eyed" Willie. The young Goonies find the entrance to a tunnel in a rundown restaurant that is serving as the hideout for a notorious family of criminals named the Fratellis. When the Fratellis return, the Goonies are forced to follow the tunnel to safely escape them.

One of the Goonies, Chunk, is captured and interrogated by the Fratellis, revealing the hidden tunnel entrance and the promise of treasure at its end. The Fratellis enter the tunnel, leaving Chunk captive alongside a huge and deformed Fratelli brother named Sloth, who the family keeps chained to the wall. Although Chunk is at first terrified of Sloth, he begins to befriend him as the film progresses. The other Goonies meanwhile proceed through the underground passages, overcoming dangerous booby traps laid by One-Eyed Willie centuries ago, hoping to survive long enough to reach freedom. Their goal reverts to finding the treasure when they discover the bottom of a wishing well, which they could use to leave the caves. Instead of saving themselves, the Goonies decide to continue the quest for the treasure so that they can save the Goon Docks.

After outrunning the nearing Fratellis, the Goonies come to the treasure, which is still on-board One-Eyed Willie's ship. The Fratellis appear just as they are filling their pockets with loot, but the newly freed Sloth also arrives with Chunk, allowing the Goonies to escape empty-handed. The Fratellis trigger one last booby trap that causes the cave to collapse, forcing everyone to flee for their lives. The Goonies are found on the beach by a search party and eventually reunite with their families. Luckily, Mikey's marble bag held a handful of large precious stones, saving the Goon Docks from its golf course future. The police arrest the Fratellis, except for Sloth whom the Goonies defend; Chunk in turn tells Sloth that he can stay with him and his family. As the Goonies and their parents marvel over the precious gems, One-Eyed-Willie's ship suddenly appears...now free from the cavern. As the ship sails away, Mikey and the others bid farewell and thank you to the legendary pirate.

While sometimes called a fantasy film for its improbable, child's-dream-come-true storyline, The Goonies does not actually use supernatural elements. Its premise is frequently compared to Explorers, a science fiction-adventure film starring teenagers that Paramount Pictures released one month after The Goonies in 1985.