--- title: "The Goonies: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-goonies/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-goonies" critics_score: 71 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Goonies (1985): what the critics said Critics' score 71 from 10 reviews: 6 positive, 3 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics find The Goonies a likeable, energetic children’s adventure whose appeal extends to adults. Praise centres on the young cast: the children seem resourceful, recognisably childlike and capable of making the treasure hunt matter despite its far-fetched turns. The elaborate sets and underground photography also earn approval, giving the adventure scale and visual excitement. Several reviews value its warmth and humour, finding that it takes its young audience seriously without losing its taste for the ridiculous. The disagreement is substantial, ranging from enthusiastic affection to outright irritation. Reservations concern a manufactured story, predictable plotting and excitement that can feel manipulative rather than earned; even some favourable reviews find the pleasures short-lived. Variety finds the opening slow before the treasure hunt gets going. Time Out is the sharpest dissenter, treating the children’s constant screaming and the heavy sentimentality as liabilities where warmer reviews find energy and innocence. ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic calls it one of the most accomplished kids' adventures of all time, praising its crossover appeal, lively script, and elaborate sets that deliver spectacle and fun for all ages. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/goonies-review/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 18 April 2019. The critic finds the film an eminently likable romp that echoes Spielberg’s Indiana Jones films while drawing on British kids’ adventure traditions. They single out its rich air of all-American innocence for praise. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/apr/18/the-goonies-review-indomitable-all-american-innocence) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 7 June 1985. Directed by Richard Donner with Spielberg's story, the film packs every funhouse flourish including crooks, skeletons, and a ghostly pirate ship. It offers breakneck pacing and appealing young characters but has little staying power. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/07/movies/screen-the-goonies-written-by-spielberg.html) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 1 June 1985. The film mixes Spielberg action ingredients with high-energy kid performances in a fantastical pirate treasure story. It delivers thrills and effects but feels manipulative without the sweetness of E.T. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-goonies-1985) ## Radio Times — John Ferguson Rating 3/5. A good-natured romp in which a gang of children search for pirate treasure while fending off crooks. The young leads are likeable and the villains provide nice hamming. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-0ixba6/the-goonies/) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1984. The story unfolds from the kids' viewpoint in a typical Spielberg small-town setting and takes time to get going before the treasure hunt begins. It features a fairy-tale adventure with booby traps and the Fratelli family as obstacles. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1984/film/reviews/the-goonies-1200426428/) ## Time Out — DT Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 15 December 2011. Seven kids discover a treasure map but face incompetent thieves and over-sentimental parents. The pre-pubescents scream constantly and the finale is overly sentimental. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-goonies) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Arthur Knight 7 June 1985. The kids come across as real and childlike, which saves the film despite a manufactured script. Visual excitement stands out, especially the underground cavern sequence and photography. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/goonies-1985-review-800918/) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating ★★★★☆. 19 April 2019. The critic calls it original and sometimes bizarre, a timely reminder of what kids’ movies can deliver. They praise its preposterous warmth and the resourceful children battling criminals for pirate treasure. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/parenting/article/the-goonies-1985-review-387c3znl7) ## Collider — Nico Nico Rating A+. 21 November 2010. The critic finds that The Goonies stands the test of time as a beloved adventure that still speaks true tonally. They single out the lightning-in-a-bottle cast, particularly Sean Astin’s heartfelt performance as Mikey. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-goonies-25th-anniversary-collectors-edition-blu-ray-review/) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Rating 5/5. 8 December 2008. The critic calls The Goonies a brilliant, iconic 80s action-adventure that is very funny and does not talk down to its audience. They single out the strong transfer and audio mix on the Blu-ray as well as the film's classic scenes and appeal. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-goonies-blu-ray-review/) ## Eye for Film — Stephen Carty Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 11 February 2011. The critic calls Donner's adventure an era-defining film that holds up beyond nostalgia thanks to its lighthearted yet scary and fun tone, skillful direction by Donner, writing by Columbus and producing by Spielberg. Iconic moments and treasure-hunting entertainment keep it engaging for adults and kids alike, though the predictable formula and Cyndi Lauper song slightly detract from five-star status. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-goonies-film-review-by-stephen-carty) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-goonies.md