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The Goonies poster

Is The Goonies OK for Kids?

AdventureComedyFamily
9+
PG⭐ IMDb 7.7 / 101985 · 1h 54m
Richard Donner● Script verified
See all movies for 9-year-olds

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What's In It

Based on the actual screenplay
🗡️Violence
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
3
Cartoon / Comedic
6
Action & Peril
1
Injuries & Death Shown
0
Graphic & Disturbing
  • The Fratellis shoot at the kids multiple times throughout the film, and later force them at gunpoint to walk the plank over water
  • Sloth physically fights the Fratellis, throwing them around during his rescue of the children
  • A Fratelli criminal twists Chunk's arm, and cave-in sequences show rocks falling around the kids as they flee
  • Comedic violence is played for laughs, including Data's gadget malfunctions/slapstick falls, Brand getting flattened by the Fratelli's car, and booby traps causing slapstick injuries throughout the caves
  • Overall tone mixes real danger and gunplay with cartoonish comedic beats — no blood or graphic injury shown
💬Language
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Mild Words
(damn, hell)
14
Moderate
(ass, b**ch)
20
Strong
(sh*t)
0
Extreme
(f**k)
  • Characters say 's**t' 12 times, 'hell' 5 times, and 'da**' 3 times
  • Moderate language includes 'idiot' (4), 'jerk' (3), 'cr*p' (2), 'a**' (2), 'wuss' (2), and 'b**tard' (1)
  • No f-words or c-words detected
  • Language is frequent enough that parents of younger kids should be aware, despite the film's family-adventure framing
👻Scary Scenes
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
3
Mildly Tense
2
Startling Moments
3
Genuinely Scary
0
Deeply Disturbing
  • The kids' first encounter with Sloth chained in the basement is startling due to his grotesque appearance, though he later becomes a hero
  • The discovery of Chester Copperpot's skeletal remains and the skeletal One-Eyed Willy in the treasure chamber are genuinely scary images for younger viewers
  • A bat swarm attacks the children in the caves, and booby traps activate unexpectedly, involving skeletons, rocks, and dynamite
  • Tense sequences include the Fratellis continuously pursuing the children through tunnels, water rising and the cave collapsing during their escape, and the children being forced at gunpoint to walk the plank over water
  • All scary moments are resolved with the kids escaping safely and the villains ultimately defeated or left behind
💕Romance
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
3
Crushes & Holding Hands
1
Kissing & Dating
2
Suggestive
0
Sexual Content
  • Mikey's crush on Andy is referenced throughout the film, and Troy makes crude attempts to look at Andy, which she rebuffs by elbowing him
  • Brand and Andy share an on-screen kiss in the tunnels, and Stef and Mouth show a developing crush relationship
  • Suggestive content includes Mouth's comments about 'making it' with girls and Andy's monologue about her body and appearance
  • Nothing sexual is shown on screen; romantic content stays at crush/kissing/suggestive-dialogue level
🍺Substances
Mild▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
2
Mentioned in Passing
1
Shown Casually
0
Featured Prominently
0
Glorified or Abused
  • The Fratellis' counterfeit money operation is mentioned as their criminal enterprise, not a drug-related plot point
  • There's a casual reference to 'drug dealers in polyester' in dialogue
  • Chunk tells exaggerated stories about various pranks and incidents, but no actual substance use is shown or glorified
  • No on-screen drinking, smoking, or drug use depicted
⚡Stimulation
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Gently Engaging
2
Exciting
3
Intense
1
Overwhelming
  • The extended chase sequence through the elaborate cave system with multiple booby traps is fast-paced and sustained
  • The piano-playing sequence to unlock the skeleton bridge and the plank-walking confrontation with the Fratelli mother are high-tension set pieces
  • The cave collapse sequence during the final escape is overwhelming, with rapid peril and chaos
  • Exciting but less intense moments include the discovery of the pirate ship and treasure chamber, and Sloth saving the children from the Fratellis
  • Sensory-sensitive children under 8 may find the extended chase and cave-collapse sequences overwhelming

Parents also checked

The Goonies — Heads Up for Parents

Despite its family-adventure reputation, the film contains a surprising amount of strong language (s**t said 12 times) and a genuinely tense scene where the Fratelli mother forces the children at gunpoint to walk the plank over water.

About The Goonies

A group of misfit kids from a working-class neighborhood facing foreclosure discover an old treasure map and set off on an underground adventure to find pirate One-Eyed Willy's fortune. Along the way they're chased by a family of bumbling but dangerous criminals, the Fratellis, through booby-trapped caves and tunnels. It's a fast-paced, adventurous coming-of-age film mixing humor, danger, and heart.

👨‍👧
Best watched together
Younger kids around ages 9-11 will benefit from a parent present to talk through the scarier moments — like the discovery of Chester Copperpot's skeleton and the gunpoint plank sequence — and to address the frequent strong language used throughout the film.

Family Takeaways from The Goonies

What it gets right

  • ✓Chunk's friendship with Sloth models looking past appearances to see someone's inner goodness, culminating in Sloth's heroic rescue of the children
  • ✓The film shows kids working as a team through the piano-skeleton-bridge puzzle and other challenges, emphasizing that different strengths (Andy's piano skill, Mikey's leadership) matter

The Goonies Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Values & Themes
●Traditional family values

The film centers on protecting family homes from foreclosure and ends with families reunited and saved from economic hardship, emphasizing family bonds and loyalty as core themes.

Cast:Sean AstinJosh BrolinJeff CohenCorey FeldmanKerri Green

Is The Goonies Appropriate for Your Child's Age?

✗Age 5: Not recommended for 5-year-olds
✗Age 8: Not recommended for 8-year-olds
✓Age 10: Generally appropriate for 10-year-olds
✓Age 12: Generally appropriate for 12-year-olds
✓Age 13: Generally appropriate for 13-year-olds
✓Age 15: Generally appropriate for 15-year-olds
✓Age 17: Generally appropriate for 17-year-olds

Individual children may vary — use your judgment.

Parents also ask about The Goonies

  • Is The Goonies appropriate for a 9-year-old?
  • Does The Goonies have violence?
  • Is The Goonies OK for kids?
  • What is the age rating for The Goonies?

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