As the saying goes, “Goonies never say die,” and in keeping with that sentiment, The Goonies are back for another round on the big screen. As part of a short-term theatrical run, Warner Bros. is reviving the classic Richard Donner movie. It will premiere on September 1 at certain Regal and AMC theaters and follow up on September 10 at Cinemark.
The special screening is a part of Warner Bros.’ 100th anniversary celebration, an annual event that also includes the cinematic re-release of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy on September 16th, Batman Day. The majority of large chains are anticipated to offer a single daily “WB100” edition showing of The Goonies, though it’s best to check the website or app of your local theater for information on tickets and showtimes.
The Goonies, a beloved children’s story that debuted in 1985, tells the adventure of a band of outcasts known as the Goonies. Along with their friends Data (Ke Huy Quan), Mouth (Corey Feldman), Chunk (Jeff Cohen), Andy (Kerri Green), and Stef (Martha Plimpton), this group, which includes brothers Mikey (Sean Astin) and Brand (Josh Brolin), sets out on a quest to find a long-lost pirate treasure in order to prevent the foreclosure of their “Goondocks” homes.
Warner Bros. celebrated the movie’s 35th anniversary by bringing it back to theaters in 2020. The surviving cast members virtually reunited for a charity event on Josh Gad’s Reunited Apart that same year. A possible sequel hasn’t materialized despite this and ongoing discussions between producer and story writer Steven Spielberg, Donner and his wife and co-producer Lauren Schuler Donner. According to Comicbook, Spielberg acknowledged the difficulty of coming up with an idea that is better than the original, stating:
“The problem is the bar that all of you raised on this genre, I don’t think we’ve really successfully been able to find an idea that is better than The Goonies that we all made in the ’80s. So, until we do, people are just gonna have to look at this one 100 times.”
The Goonies 2 in Limbo: Cast Is Ready to Return, But Donner’s Absence Leaves a Big Gap
The future of The Goonies 2 has been called into question after the demise of Donner in 2021, despite the willingness of Astin, Quan, and Feldman to return. Speaking at the 2023 Golden Globes, Quan said that while many scripts had been written, none had managed to capture the enchantment of the original, particularly without the “captain of our ship,” Donner. When given the chance, he said he would be open to playing his character, Data again, although he was unsure about a sequel.
For all those enthusiastic about reliving the adventure, or introducing a younger generation to The Goonies, the movie will be screening in theaters from September 1st or available to stream on Max.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding The Goonies 2, fans can still delight in the classic odyssey on the big screen or in the warmth of their residences. As an element of Warner Bros.’ 100th celebration, The Goonies is reappearing in selected cinemas and will also be up for streaming on Max.
Watch the 1-minute 4K trailer release for the classic children’s adventure movie:
