The Goonies, released in 1985, is a beloved classic that follows a group of young friends who embark on an exciting treasure hunt filled with danger, laughs, and heartfelt moments. The charming cast, sense of adventure, and coming-of-age themes have made it an enduring favorite for generations.
If you’re a fan of The Goonies and looking for more movies that capture a similar spirit, here are 15 of the best films to watch for another thrilling kid-centered adventure:
1. Stand By Me (1986)
Based on a Stephen King novella, Stand By Me is a quintessential coming-of-age story set in the 1950s. Four friends set out on a journey to find the body of a missing boy, leading to self-discovery and the strengthening of their bond along the way. With a talented young cast including River Phoenix and Corey Feldman, who also appeared in The Goonies, it’s a touching, nostalgic look at friendship and growing up.
2. The Monster Squad (1987)
The Monster Squad follows a group of horror-movie loving kids who find themselves facing off against classic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Wolfman. Full of spooky fun, humor, and heart, it hits a lot of the same notes as The Goonies with its ragtag group of young friends banding together in an unbelievable situation.
3. The Sandlot (1993)
A charming story set in the early 1960s, The Sandlot centers on a group of boys bonding over their love of baseball during one memorable summer. When they have to retrieve a prized baseball from a yard with a notorious dog, it kicks off a series of funny and heartfelt moments. While baseball is the glue that brings them together, the real focus is on friendship and finding your place, similar to the themes of The Goonies.
4. Super 8 (2011)
Directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg, who wrote The Goonies, Super 8 is a loving homage to Spielberg’s Amblin-era films of the 80s. Set in 1979, it follows a group of young friends who witness a train crash while making a super 8 movie, inadvertently capturing footage of an alien creature that later terrorizes their town. A perfect blend of sci-fi, adventure, and childhood friendship.
5. The Wizard (1989)
The Wizard follows three kids as they travel cross-country to compete in a video game championship, including a boy and his mentally-challenged younger brother. While some criticize it as a feature-length Nintendo commercial, it still provides an entertaining road trip adventure with a talented young cast that includes Fred Savage, Luke Edwards, and Jenny Lewis.
6. Explorers (1985)
Released the same year as The Goonies, Explorers stars River Phoenix and Ethan Hawke in one of their earliest roles. Three friends build a homemade spaceship based on one’s dreams and end up on a wild intergalactic adventure meeting aliens. It captures a similar spirit of childhood wonder and imagination as The Goonies.
7. The NeverEnding Story (1984)
Based on the beloved children’s book, The NeverEnding Story follows a boy who reads a magical book and finds himself pulled into the dark fantasy world of Fantasia that’s under threat. With imaginative characters and visuals, it’s a transportive adventure that parallels the boy’s real-world struggles. Another 80s family classic with a courageous young protagonist.
8. Stranger Things (2016-Present)
While a TV series rather than a movie, Stranger Things is heavily inspired by The Goonies and other 80s Amblin movies. Set in the 80s, it centers on a group of D&D-playing friends who get caught up in a dangerous mystery involving supernatural forces and shady government experiments when one of their friends goes missing. With multiple kid heroes and a strong sense of nostalgia, it’s a must-watch for Goonies fans.
9. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Another classic Amblin movie directed by Steven Spielberg, E.T. is a sci-fi adventure about a boy who befriends a stranded alien and tries to help him return home. With strong themes of friendship, childhood innocence, and wonder, along with a gang of kids helping the protagonist, it captures a lot of the same magic as The Goonies and set the template for many films after it.
10. The Lost Boys (1987)
For a slightly more grown-up adventure, The Lost Boys follows two brothers who move to a new town and fall in with a charismatic gang of young bikers who turn out to be vampires. The older brother’s friends must help save him in this stylish blend of horror, humor and cool 80s atmosphere. It’s like The Goonies meets the teenage vampire genre.
11. Cloak & Dagger (1984)
Cloak & Dagger stars Henry Thomas from E.T. as a young boy who fantasizes about being a superspy like the hero of his favorite video game. He gets caught up in a real espionage plot and must rely on his wits to save the day. With fun video game-inspired sequences and an adventurous kid hero, it fits right in with The Goonies.
12. The Babysitter (2017) & The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020)
For a horror-comedy twist on the kid hero formula, The Babysitter duology follows a boy who discovers his super cool babysitter is part of a satanic cult. He must fight to survive the night and later, in the sequel, a new threat related to the cult. With over-the-top humor, fun action, and a young cast, it captures a Goonies-like spirit for a new generation.
13. Rim of the World (2019)
Rim of the World centers on four misfit kids at summer camp when aliens invade the planet. They find themselves in possession of a key that could stop the invasion and embark on a dangerous mission to deliver it to NASA. Another Netflix original that draws from 80s adventure movies, it has a diverse young cast overcoming the odds together.
14. Turbo Kid (2015)
Set in a post-apocalyptic 1997, Turbo Kid follows a comic book fan teen who goes on a quest to save his kidnapped friend and robot companion from an evil warlord. With colorful retro visuals inspired by 80s movies, over-the-top action, and dark humor, it’s like a Mad Max adventure through the eyes of a kid Goonies fan. More violent than the other picks but with a lot of heart.
15. I.T. (2017)
Based on Stephen King’s novel, I.T. follows a group of young outcasts who face off against a malevolent, shape-shifting entity preying on their town, facing their fears in the process. With genuine scares balanced by humor and heart, it captures the charm of King’s coming-of-age stories like Stand By Me while echoing the gang of kid heroes from The Goonies and Stranger Things. The 2017 version and its 2019 sequel tell the characters’ story across two time periods.
Whether you’re looking for more 80s classics, modern adventures, or genre-blending stories, these 15 movies all share DNA with The Goonies in terms of charm, friendship, and that sense of childhood wonder and resilience in the face of unbelievable situations. They prove that the formula of a lovable young cast having a larger-than-life adventure continues to resonate across decades.
So grab some snacks, gather your friends, and get ready for more wild and heartfelt journeys in the spirit of Mikey, Brand, Mouth, Data, Chunk, Andy and Stef. From pirate treasure to aliens to monsters, there’s an adventure for everyone to enjoy. And like The Goonies teaches us, “Goonies never say die!”
