If you managed to miss this in your own childhood, The Goonies is a Steven Spielberg-produced classic about a group of misfits in Astoria, Oregon. Their neighborhood is being foreclosed on to make room for a golf course. On their final weekend together, they find a treasure map in an attic belonging to a legendary pirate named One-Eyed Willy.

What follows is an underground trek through booby-trapped tunnels, pursued by the Fratellis (a family of escaped convicts), featuring a giant-hearted "monster" named Sloth, and a lot of screaming. It’s essentially the blueprint for every "unsupervised adventure" story that followed, from Stranger Things to Outer Banks.

In an era of AirTags and 24/7 digital supervision, the idea of kids disappearing into the woods for twelve hours to save their parents' mortgage is pure wish fulfillment.

Kids today are used to the curated, high-energy chaos of MrBeast or the sandbox freedom of Minecraft. The Goonies taps into that same "figure it out yourself" energy. The characters aren't polished; they’re sweaty, they argue, they’re scared, and they use their specific "nerd" skills (like Data’s questionable inventions) to survive. It feels real in a way that modern, overly sanitized "brain rot" content often doesn't.

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Let’s be real: 1980s PG is basically 2025 PG-13. If you’re used to the squeaky-clean dialogue of Bluey, this is going to be a shock to the system.

The character Mouth (played by Corey Feldman) lives up to his name. The kids say "sh*t," "hell," "ass," and "goddamn" pretty frequently. There’s also a fair amount of "middle school" humor—jokes about puberty, "veins," and some light sexual innuendo that will likely go over the heads of younger kids but might prompt questions from an observant 9-year-old.

The Fratellis are actual criminals. They threaten to put a kid's hand in a blender. There are skeletons (lots of them), a dead guy in a freezer, and a scene where the kids have to play a "bone organ" where a wrong note drops them into a pit. For a kid raised on Cocomelon, this is terrifying. For a kid who plays Five Nights at Freddy's, it’s probably Tuesday.

We have to talk about Chunk and Data. Chunk is the target of constant fat-shaming (the "Truffle Shuffle" scene is iconic but, through a modern lens, pretty mean-spirited). Data is the "tech kid" whose gadgets often fail, and while he’s a fan favorite, he does lean into some 80s tropes regarding Asian characters and "wacky" inventions. It’s not a dealbreaker for most families, but it’s a great "teaching moment" conversation to have afterward.

Check out our guide on how to talk to kids about 80s movie stereotypes

While the official rating is PG, the Screenwise "Vibe Check" suggests the following:

If you’re doing a family movie night, here are a few ways to bridge the gap between 1985 and now:

Learn more about the psychology of adventure in kids' media

If the credits roll and they’re asking for more, don’t just default to another random Netflix algorithm pick. Stay in the lane of "competent kids doing big things":

The ultimate summer movie. Less "life or death" than Goonies, but captures that same neighborhood-kids-against-the-world energy perfectly.

Based on the Holes book, this is a phenomenal mystery/adventure that deals with heavier themes (justice, history, curses) but keeps the "kids figuring it out" core.

If they want to build their own booby-trapped tunnels, Minecraft is the obvious digital pivot. You can even find "Goonies-style" adventure maps created by the community.

For a reading option, this book captures the "survival and friendship" theme in a beautiful, modern way. It’s less salty than Mouth, but just as adventurous.

The Goonies isn't just a nostalgia trip for parents; it’s a masterclass in pacing and kid-centric storytelling. Yes, you’ll have to endure some 80s-era "Ohio" behavior (weird, cringey, or slightly inappropriate moments), but the core message—that kids are capable, loyal, and brave—is timeless.

It’s a far cry from the "brain rot" of modern short-form content. It requires an attention span, it builds empathy, and it might just inspire them to put down the iPad and go explore the backyard. Just maybe hide the blender first.

Check out our full guide on 80s movies that are actually safe for kids

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