The Goonies is a cult classic and has been one that many from the 1980s have long remembered as they have grown up. Indeed, it performed very well at the Box Office when it was released in 1985, grossing $125 million across the world from a budget of just $19 million.
Unsurprisingly, there have been calls for a sequel ever since it was first released, but almost 40 years later, fans have been continually left disappointed by the fact that there hasn’t been one released.
Talk of a Goonies 2 was had
It hasn’t been for the want of trying that a Goonies 2 hasn’t been released. Given the critical reception and the love it received from fans at the time, it would have made perfect sense to revisit the story and create a sequel, especially as there are many films that have done exactly that because of the revenues that were generated.
There has been talk about a potential release in the past, with other forms of entertainment perhaps having fueled the desire for a sequel to have been brought to our screens.
A few years after the film was released, a video game for the NES was released that had gripped players and piqued their interest even further. Even in the 21st Century, many games are based on the cult classic that people can enjoy. For instance, people of the original generation to enjoy The Goonies can enjoy casino-themed games. They can find these titles on a reputable site that allows them to engage in online gamble activities, thus allowing them to relive the fun that the film brought almost four decades on.
In terms of a new film idea, Richard Donner noted in 2008 that he, writer Chris Columbus, and producer Steven Spielberg couldn’t come up with any ideas of where to take the story, but then in April 2014, the director confirmed that there were plans to bring one to the big screen after it had been given an official go-ahead. However, in 2015, Columbus revealed that there still wasn’t a concrete idea in place, pouring water over the excitement that was had.
However, there have been numerous obstacles in its way that have simply made it very difficult to happen.
No chance of a Goonies 2
In 2024, there doesn’t appear to be any likelihood of a sequel being released. In fact, it would seem as though there is absolutely no chance of a Goonies 2 film.
Director Richard Donner died in 2021 and it was known that the cast of the film would have only really been interested if he was at the head of the table once again. Instead, Donner decided to tackle the Lethal Weapon sequel Lethal Finale as his final film, essentially putting the hammer in the coffin for The Goonies.
Actor Josh Brolin has also been vocal about his thoughts about a potential reboot, suggesting that it wouldn’t be necessary. He feels a sequel could take away from the cult original in terms of its iconic legacy.
In addition, it would be difficult to carry on the story, especially 40 years on. The same actors wouldn’t be able to be used if they wanted to smoothly transition between the two films, as they would have aged significantly. It would essentially change the entire narrative of the film, and potentially make it a hard watch. An entirely new cast would be needed, perhaps making the sequel hard to live up to, a point Brolin has noted.]
Is it a good thing there’s no Goonies 2?
As Brolin has said, it’s probably been for the best that the Goonies has been left alone and a new sequel hasn’t been released. An additional film might have had a better chance if it was released shortly after the original, however one being released in the near future would perhaps not have the same appeal as it would have back then.
Audiences are very different today from what they were back in the 1980s, and with the cast having become significantly older, it wouldn’t have been the same for the generation of fans who grew up with it and saw it when it was first released.
Sometimes, there can be too much of a good thing, and a Goonies 2 could have ruined the legacy of the cult classic.