12 Movies Like The Goonies You Need to Watch
Craving treasure hunts, secret maps, and scrappy kids? Explore 12 picks with adventure, comedy, family fun, and sci-fi energy.
If you’re searching for movies like The Goonies, you probably want that same mix of kid-level wonder, danger, and smart-mouthed teamwork. This list leans into treasure hunts, runaway kids, small-town secrets, and high-stakes escapes, with favorites like The Goonies (1985), Ewoks (1985), Candleshoe (1977), and Stand by Me (1986). You’ll also find a tougher edge in Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), plus newer picks such as Breaking In (2018) and Adventure Club (2017) that keep the energy moving. Even Zátah (1985) earns a spot for viewers who want adventure with a bit more surprise. Across action & adventure, comedy, kids & family, animation, and science-fiction, these picks capture the same restless spirit that made the original so easy to love.
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01
Ewoks
animation · science-fiction · action & adventure · kids & family · fantasy
The Ewok Wicket and his friends from the Bright Tree Village go on many magical adventures.
Directed by Raymond Jafelice, Jay Miller, Dick Schneider, Dale SchottCast Jim Henshaw, James Cranna, Cree Summer, Sue Murphy, Jackie BurroughsDisney Plus -
02
Candleshoe
adventure · comedy · drama · family
When ex-con artist Harry claims that a secret treasure is hidden inside Candleshoe, an English estate, he creates an elaborate plan to find and steal the prize. By convincing a girl named Casey to impersonate the estate owner's long-lost granddaughter, Harry hopes to uncover the treasure's location. But when Casey has a change of heart, she must follow the clues and find the treasure, in order to save Candleshoe and stop Harry before it is too late.
Directed by Norman TokarCast David Niven, Helen Hayes, Jodie Foster, Leo McKern, Veronica QuilliganDisney Plus -
03
Stand by Me
action & adventure · drama
After learning that a boy their age has been accidentally killed near their rural homes, four boys decide to go see the body. Gordie, Vern, Chris, and Teddy encounter a mean junk man and a marsh full of leeches, but they also learn more about one another and their very different home lives. Just a lark at first, the boys' adventure evolves into a defining event in their lives.
Directed by Rob ReinerCast Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer SutherlandMax -
04
Rambo: First Blood Part II
action · adventure · thriller
John Rambo is released from prison by the government for a top-secret covert mission to the last place on Earth he'd want to return - the jungles of Vietnam.
Directed by George P. CosmatosCast Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Charles Napier, Steven Berkoff, Julia NicksonAMC+ -
05
Breaking In
action & adventure · crime · mystery & thriller
Shaun Russell takes her son and daughter on a weekend getaway to her late father's secluded, high-tech vacation home in the countryside. The family soon gets an unwelcome surprise when four men break into the house to find hidden money. After managing to escape, Shaun must now figure out a way to turn the tables on the desperate thieves and save her captive children.
Directed by James McTeigueCast Gabrielle Union, Billy Burke, Richard Cabral, Ajiona Alexus, Levi MeadenMax -
06
Adventure Club
adventure · family
With the discovery of an ancient puzzle box, a Boy, with the help of his friends, begins an adventure to find his fortune.
Directed by Geoff AndersonCast Sam Ashe Arnold, Jakob Davies, Dalila Bela, Robin Dunne, Gabrielle MillerAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
07
Adventures in Babysitting
adventure · comedy · crime · romance
When plans with her boyfriend fall through, high school senior Chris Parker ends up babysitting the Anderson kids, Brad and Sara. What should be a quiet night in, however, turns into a series of ridiculous exploits, starting when they leave the house to pick up Chris' friend Brenda. Soon, Brad's buddy Daryl is involved, and the group must contend with car thieves, blues musicians and much more.
Directed by Chris ColumbusCast Elisabeth Shue, Maia Brewton, Keith Coogan, Anthony Rapp, Calvin LevelsDisney Plus -
08
Tuff Turf
action · comedy · drama
The new guy in a Los Angeles high school, Morgan, does some singing and fights hotshot Nick over disco dancer Frankie.
Directed by Fritz KierschCast James Spader, Kim Richards, Paul Mones, Matt Clark, Claudette NevinsAmazon Prime VideoFreevee -
10
Undercover Grandpa
action · comedy · family
When the girl he likes goes missing, Jake enlists the help of his grandpa and Grandpa's former special ops buddies.
Directed by Erik CanuelCast Dylan Everett, James Caan, Greta Onieogou, Jesse Bostick, Jessica WalterFreevee -
11
My Science Project
action · adventure · comedy · sci-fi
His high school teacher issues an ultimatum: turn in a science project or flunk. So Mike Harlan scavenges a military base's junk pile for a suitable gizmo. He finds one... and unwittingly unleashes the awesome power and energy of the unknown. Twisted dimensions. Time warps. A fantastic realm where the past, present, and future collide in a whirling vortex of startling adventure and superlative special effects.
Directed by Jonathan R. BetuelCast John Stockwell, Danielle von Zerneck, Fisher Stevens, Raphael Sbarge, Richard MasurAmazon Prime Video -
12
The Black Cauldron
animation · action · adventure · family · fantasy
Taran is an assistant pigkeeper with boyish dreams of becoming a great warrior. However, he has to put the daydreaming aside when his charge, an oracular pig named Hen Wen, is kidnapped by an evil lord known as the Horned King. The villain hopes Hen will show him the way to The Black Cauldron, which has the power to create a giant army of unstoppable soldiers.
Directed by Ted Berman, Richard RichCast Grant Bardsley, Susan Sheridan, Freddie Jones, Nigel Hawthorne, Arthur MaletDisney Plus
Wrapping Up
Whether you want a cozy family favorite, a road-trip-style coming-of-age story, or something with more action, this roundup gives you plenty of ways to chase that adventurous feeling. The titles here span different tones and eras, so you can match your next watch to your mood without losing the sense of fun. Bookmark this page and come back whenever you want a fresh set of picks that scratch the same itch. We update this list regularly, so there’s always something new to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these movies similar to The Goonies?
These picks were matched by tone, themes, and story style using a similarity model trained on plot synopses, genres, and cast — not just shared genre tags — so the connection runs deeper than a simple category match.
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Last updated: September 9, 2026