As Mikey said, “Goonies never say die!”
The year 2025 marks 40 years since “The Goonies” first became an American classic — and the movie’s massive fanfare shows no sign of ever dying. (What other movie gets a TV pilot about its fan-produced remake?) Based on a story by Steven Spielberg and starring some of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces, “The Goonies” follows the adventures of a ragtag team of youngsters who find a mysterious treasure map. The film holds particular esteem among Oregonians, as it was mostly shot along the iconic North Oregon Coast, from a “Goon Docks” neighborhood of Astoria to Ecola State Park and beyond.
It’s only fitting that we mark the 40th anniversary of “The Goonies” with statewide celebrations, including a special 40th birthday bash Goonies Weekend (June 5-8, 2025) in Astoria. The family-friendly weekend includes film screenings, treasure hunts, costume contests, immersive experience and special challenges related to the film — sign up for details and updates through the event website. Registration is free, but some events may include a fee.
In addition, the film returns to the big screen for one weekend (Jan. 19-20, 2025) at theaters across the state as part of Fathom Entertainment’s “Big Screen Classics.” Snag your tickets early; the experience includes feature commentary by film historian Leonard Maltin.
Retrace “The Goonies” at These Film Sites
Every summer “Goonies” fans flock to the official Goonies Day in Astoria celebration. The four-day event features stories from those who witnessed the filming, games at “Chunk’s Bowling Alley,” interactive scavenger hunts and more.
Year round you can celebrate “The Goonies” by visiting its iconic film sites in Astoria. You can see the house used in the film from the East End Mooring Basin near the Astoria Riverwalk Trail. (John Jacob Astor Elementary School, just two blocks uphill, also served for the exterior shots in “Kindergarten Cop.”) Fans can read up on the latest developments of the Goonies house. If you visit, be sure to view locations from a distance, out of respect for private property owners and neighbors.
Here are some favorites you won’t want to miss along Oregon’s North Coast — and consider visiting on a weekday when there are less crowds and more time for coveted photo ops.
While you’re in town, don’t miss the iconic 125-foot Astoria Column — the city’s proudest landmark — which is pictured in nearly all of the films shot here, including “Kindergarten Cop” (1990) and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III” (1993), as well as “The Goonies,” “Free Willy” and “Short Circuit.” Visitors can climb the 164 steps of the spiral staircase to a viewing deck 600 feet above sea level for a panoramic view of the lower Columbia area.
The 4.1-mile-long Astoria Bridge is another defining shot for classic made-in-Astoria movies. Connecting Oregon to Washington across the mouth of the Columbia River, the span is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America. Pedestrians are allowed on the bridge just one day per year, during the Great Columbia Crossing.
True film buffs will want to hunt down the more obscure movie scenes too, like the medical supply store that doubled as Naomi Watts’ newspaper office from “The Ring Two,” and the house where Ally Sheedy’s character meets robot Number Five in “Short Circuit.”
The kids will also appreciate a trip to Youngs River Falls, 8 miles south of downtown, where the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fought a clan of Japanese warriors when they traveled back in time in “TMNT 3.”
View this post on Instagram
Oregon Film Trail
The Historic Oregon Film Trail pays homage to the most famous Oregon-made movies. Today you can visit 13 markers across the state, including two honoring “The Goonies” — one outside the Oregon Film Museum in Astoria and the other in Ecola State Park in between Seaside and Cannon Beach.
Oregon Film Museum
Fans will recognize Astoria’s old Clatsop County Jail as the site of the famous opening jailbreak scene of “The Goonies.” Today it’s home to the Oregon Film Museum and houses collectibles from dozens of Oregon-made movies. The Goonie Gallery features memorabilia like Data’s jacket, and visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite character.
Here you can also grab a map to other local sites and explore the production behind the crop of films made in Oregon, often referred to as “Hollywood North.” Housed in the historic Clatsop County Jail, it’s the site of the famous jailbreak in “The Goonies,” as well as scenes from “Come See the Paradise” (1990) and “Short Circuit” (1986).
Flavel House Museum
In the movie, Mikey Walsh’s dad worked at 1885 Captain George Flavel House Museum. You can visit the real-life museum, located in a well preserved Queen Anne house, and witness the Victorian grandeur of one of Astoria’s most famous 19th century citizens. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1951, the building takes up an entire city block.
Haystack Rock
As the “The Goonies” villains lead police on a car chase from the jail to a seaside motor rally, the movie showcases the iconic Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. It’s a popular site even without movie fame, so be sure to visit on a weekday or head to the North Oregon Coast on a car-free getaway. Later in the movie, as “The Goonies” follow their treasure map, a spectacular view of Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock is shown from Ecola State Park.
