Did You Know These 10 Things About ‘The Goonies’?

When ‘The Goonies’ premiered in 1985, it became an instant classic for adventure-loving audiences around the world. Directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg, the film followed a group of kids who discover an old pirate map and embark on a wild quest to find hidden treasure before their neighborhood is demolished. With its mix of humor, heart, and thrilling escapades, ‘The Goonies’ captured the spirit of childhood adventure like few movies ever have.

Decades later, it remains one of the most beloved family films of all time, inspiring generations of fans with its timeless message about friendship, courage, and imagination. Here are ten things you might not know about ‘The Goonies’.

Steven Spielberg Came Up With the Story

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Although Richard Donner directed the film, the original idea came from Steven Spielberg.

He envisioned a group of kids going on a pirate treasure hunt, and that concept evolved into the adventure that became ‘The Goonies’.

The Cast Was Full of Future Stars

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The young cast included Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, and Ke Huy Quan.

Many of them went on to have successful Hollywood careers, with Astin later starring in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and Quan winning an Oscar for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’.

The Pirate Ship Was Completely Real

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The production team built a full-scale pirate ship named Inferno for the movie.

It was so impressive that the young actors weren’t allowed to see it until filming their big reveal, ensuring their reactions were completely genuine.

The Ending Originally Included an Octopus

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In an early version of the film, the kids fought off a giant octopus near the end.

The scene was cut from the final theatrical release, though it’s briefly mentioned by Data when he says, “The octopus was very scary!”

Sloth Was Played by a Former NFL Player

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The lovable, disfigured character Sloth was played by John Matuszak, a former football player for the Oakland Raiders.

His prosthetic makeup took hours to apply each day, and his gentle performance made Sloth one of the film’s most memorable characters.

The Movie Was Filmed Almost Entirely in Oregon

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Most of the film was shot in Astoria, Oregon, with real coastal locations used for the caves and beach scenes.

Today, Astoria celebrates the movie annually with “Goonies Day,” drawing fans from around the world.

The Famous “Truffle Shuffle” Was Improvised

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Jeff Cohen, who played Chunk, improvised his hilarious “Truffle Shuffle” dance when Donner asked him to show something funny during auditions.

It became one of the film’s most iconic moments.

The Treasure Map Was Hand-Drawn and Tea-Stained

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The film’s prop department created the treasure map by hand, using tea and fire to make it look centuries old.

Sean Astin accidentally took the real map home after filming and didn’t realize it was the original until years later.

Cyndi Lauper Wrote the Theme Song

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Pop icon Cyndi Lauper performed the movie’s official song, “The Goonies ’R’ Good Enough.”

Spielberg even appeared in the music video, along with several WWF wrestlers of the era.

It Became a Cult Classic Over Time

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Although ‘The Goonies’ was a box office hit, its real legacy grew over the years through home video and TV reruns.

Its blend of adventure, nostalgia, and heart has kept it alive for nearly four decades.

What fact about ‘The Goonies’ did you find the most surprising? Share your thoughts in the comments!