The Gooniesis one of the most iconic movies of the 1980s, largely because of its incredible young cast. Writer Steven Spielberg and director Richard Donner sought young actors with natural chemistry and strong improvisational skills to bring the Goonies to life. Many of the child actors were unknown at the time, but would go on to star in films that would shape cinema for decades.The Gooniesstill holds up today, in part because it featured actual children aged 11 to 17 during filming, which enhances the sense of authenticity, youthfulness, and camaraderie.
The child actors excel within the broad, adventurous tone of the movie, and even in 1985, audiences likely sensed that some would go on to successful careers as adults. However, the range of projectsthe cast ofThe Goonieshas been in is shocking:from leading billion-dollar franchises to starring in Oscar-winning moviesfour decades later. While many of the actors have played roles reminiscent of theirGooniescharacters in other movies, their careers offer a deeper appreciation of the talent they displayed at such a young age.
10Indiana Jones And The Temple of Doom (1984)
Ke Huy Quan As Short Round
Ke Huy Quan plays the resourceful, gadget-loving Data inThe Goonies, whose inventions save the group more than once. Data shares a lot in common withQuan’s role as Indiana Jones’s sidekick Short Roundjust a year earlier in Spielberg’sIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Both characters are energetic, fearless, and rely on self-made inventions, like Short Round with his blocks-on-his-shoes for driving and Data with his “slick shoes” for escaping danger.
Data and Short Round both embody the classic Spielbergian trope of kids outsmarting the adults around them.
WhileTemple of Doomhas a darker, more intense tone,The Gooniesis lighter, more family-friendly, and often described as “Indiana Jones for kids.” The shared spirit of adventure is undeniable. Quan’s natural charisma, comedic timing, and boundless enthusiasm inTemple of Doominspired Spielberg to cast Quan inThe Goonies, cementing Quan as a memorable child star of the 1980s. Data and Short Round both embody the classic Spielbergian trope of kids outsmarting the adults around them.
9Stand By Me (1986)
Corey Feldman As Teddy Duchamp
Corey Feldman played Mouth, the fast-talking wisecracker, inThe Goonies. Mouth’s sarcasm and overconfidence provide much of the movie’s humor.Feldman’s role as Teddy Duchamp inStand by Mejust a year later is much darker and more complex, showcasing his ability to play both comedic and deeply emotional characters. Teddy still has a loud mouth and tough-guy persona, but it masks deep emotional scars from his mentally ill, abusive father.
The Gooniesembraces a fun, nostalgic adventure, butStand by Meis a coming-of-age drama based on a Stephen King novella that explores childhood trauma, grief, and loss of innocence.Unlike Mouth, whose humor and attitude are purely entertaining, Teddy’s idolization of his father despite his violent past adds a tragic depth to his character.Feldman’s performance across both movies captures different sides of youthful bravado - played for laughs inThe Goonies, and for heartbreaking realism inStand by Me.
8The Lost Boys (1987)
Corey Feldman As Sam Emerson
Corey Feldman’s role of Sam Emerson inThe Lost Boysbuilds on his energetic, motormouth persona as Mouth inThe Goonies, but places him in a much darker, horror-tinged setting. InThe Goonies, Mouth thrives on pushing boundaries and cracking jokes, especially in inappropriate situations. Sam has that same attitude inThe Lost Boys, but with a sharper edge, as Sam finds himself battling against vampires in his new California town.
Corey Feldman & Jamison Newlander Interview: The Lost Boys
The Lost Boys stars Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander discuss the horror comedy’s lasting legacy and their thoughts on a potential proper sequel.
WhileThe Gooniesis a lighthearted adventure movie filled with childhood wonder and treasure-hunting thrills,The Lost Boysblends horror and comedy, offering a more mature, rebellious take on youth culture. Sam exudes the same over-the-top confidence and comedic bravado that made Mouth so memorable. Both movies feature kids taking on larger-than-life challenges, butThe Lost Boyshas a grittier, punk-inspired energy that leans into the 1980s horror aesthetic, giving Feldman a chance to transition from child star to cult horror icon.
7License To Kill (1989)
Robert Davi As Franz Sanchez
Robert Davi played the comedically ruthless gangster Jake Fratelli inThe Goonies.Despite his character’s violent tendencies, the movie’s lighthearted tone keeps him from feeling truly terrifying. Jake Fratelli is more of a classic adventure movie goon, softened by humor, especially through his musical aspirations and dysfunctional dynamic with his family.
Davi’s portal of Franz Sanchez in the 1989 James Bond filmLicense to Killtakes the menacing presence he had as a Fratelli and elevates it to a new level of brutality.
InLicense to Kill,Davi sheds any comedic elements to create one of the most ruthless Bond villainsof the franchise. Sanchez is a drug kingpin who operates with a chilling sense of control, using extreme violence and loyalty tests to maintain power. Unlike the over-the-top Bond villains of earlier films, Sanchez feels frighteningly grounded, exuding quiet intensity rather than theatrics. WhileThe Gooniesis an adventure movie aimed at children,License to Killis a darker action-thriller, and Davi delivers performances that are perfectly attuned to each film’s tone.
6The Matrix (1999)
Joe Pantoliano As Cypher
Joe Pantoliano’s character inThe Goonies, Francis Fratelli, is a bumbling criminal working alongside his brother and mother.Francis’ incompetence and constant sibling squabbles make him more comedic than truly threatening, fitting the lighthearted, swashbuckling tone ofThe Goonies.Pantoliano’s role as Cypher inThe Matrixis a more sinister and morally complex evolution of the sleazy, self-serving persona he displayed as Francis.
Cypher inThe Matrixis a calculating, embittered traitor whose actions have devastating consequences. Resentful of the harsh reality of the war against the machines, he longs to return to the blissful ignorance of the simulated world, leadingCypher to betray Morpheus and his team.The Matrixhas a much darker, philosophical, dystopian tone thanThe Goonies, exploring themes of reality, control, and free will. Pantoliano’s performance in both films captures the essence of a slippery, untrustworthy character —played for laughs inThe Goonies, but with deadly seriousness inThe Matrix.
5The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)
Sean Astin As Samwise Gamgee
Mikey Walsh, played by Sean Astin, is the heart of the Goonies, an optimistic dreamer who refuses to give up, even when the odds seem impossible. Mikey believes in the adventure and rallies his friends to keep pushing forward.Astin brings the same unwavering determination to Samwise Gamgee, who serves as Frodo Baggin’s anchor throughout the perilous journey to Mount Doom. AsSam’s best moments inThe Lord of the Ringsprove, Sam is not the strongest or the most skilled, but his bravery and faith in his friends make him a hero.
WhileThe Gooniesis a much more lighthearted adventure seen through the lens of childhood wonder, both stories share a theme: the power of friendship and perseverance.
The Lord of the Ringsis an epic fantasy filled with war, sacrifice, and deep emotional stakes movies that broke the Oscars' bias against fantasy to win Best Picture.WhileThe Gooniesis a much more lighthearted adventure seen through the lens of childhood wonder, both stories share a theme: the power of friendship and perseverance. Astin’s performances in both roles highlight his ability to be the steadfast, kindhearted underdog who ultimately proves to be the most important figure in the journey.
4Rudy (2005)
Sean Astin As Rudy
Sean Astin’s performance as Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger in the biographical sports dramaRudydraws a direct line from his role as Mikey Walsh inThe Goonies. Both characters embody the spirit of perseverance, underdog determination, and fighting for a dream. InThe Goonies, Mikey is the soul of the group, with an unfailing belief in the impossible. Similarly,Rudy refuses to give up on his dream of playing collegiate football for Notre Dame, despite his small size and lack of natural athleticism.
One ofthe best sports movies of all time,Rudyis a heartfelt drama that explores themes of grit, sacrifice, and believing in one’s self.Rudyis centered on the journey of one man striving alone whileThe Gooniesis about camaraderie. However, both films highlight the power of hope, and Astin’s performances in both roles demonstrate his ability to embody characters whose hearts are as big as their ambitions.
3No Country For Old Men (2007)
Josh Brolin As Llewelyn Moss
Brand Walsh, Josh Brolin’s character inThe Goonies, is a protective if occasionally gruff older brother, initially resentful at being roped into the treasure hunt but ultimately becoming an integral part of the team.Brolin’s portrayal of Llewelyn Moss in the Coen brothers’ 2007 filmNo Country for Old Menmarks a stark contrast to his role as Brand, reflecting the breadth of Brolin’s range.Brand has a boyish sense of adventure that is different from the surly persona Brolin became known for later in his career.
Moss inNo Country for Old Menis a hard-nosed, morally complicated figure thrust into a violent, desolate world after finding a briefcase of drug money. The film’s tone is tense, bleak, and existential, reflecting the Coen brothers’ style that was very different from Spielberg’s sense of childlike wonder.No Country for Old Menwon four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and sparked a career resurgence for Brolin. Brolin’s transformation from the youthful, adventurous Brand inThe Gooniesto the hardened, gritty Moss demonstrates his ability to navigate different genres and tones.
2Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Josh Brolin As Thanos
Brolin’s character Brand inThe Gooniesis introduced while lifting weights, clearly someone who values physical strength, and Brolin would go on to play one ofthe strongest villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Thanos.Brand is reluctant to join in the adventure, but does so out of a sense of obligation to protect his younger brother.
Josh Brolin Confirms All of The Goonies Survived Thanos’ Snap
Thankfully (and finally), Josh Brolin confirms that all of The Goonies survived Thanos’ snap at the end of Avengers: Infinity War.
Having witnessed the destruction of his home planet due to overpopulation, Thanos seeks to restore what he sees as “balance” in a ruthless, misguided attempt to prevent similar devastation.Though Thanos is a computer-generated character, Brolin’s voice work and performance capture bring an unexpected humanity to a being of incomprehensible power. Thanos is far from the playful, relatable character of Brand, but Brolin brought nuance and empathy to what could have been a generic supervillain.Avengers: Infinity Wargrossed over $2 billion worldwide, with Brolin’s Thanos as the film’s focal point.
1Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)
Ke Huy Quan As Waymond Wang
Ke Huy Quan became a child star in the 1980s but experienced a long hiatus afterIndiana Jones and the Temple of DoomandThe Goonies.Everything Everywhere All At Oncecreated a career resurgence for Quan, who plays Waymond Wang, the quiet, gentle, and deeply empathetic husband trying to reconnect with his wife who is on a surreal adventure. As a movie about multiple universes, Quan was able to play multiple versions of Waymond, demonstrating his range and his stuntman skills.
Waymond’s kindness and willingness to fight for his family is different from the comedic chaos of Data inThe Goonies, but the characters are both driven by a deep sense of caring. Quan earned widespread critical acclaim for his role of Waymond inEverything Everywhere All At Once, including an Oscar win fro Best Supporting Actor, marking a triumphant return to acting. Quan’s career is still unfolding, with him again leaning on his stuntman skills in 2025’s action-comedyLove Hurts.
