: Oregon Film Museum by Joni Kabana

Celebrate 35 Years of “The Goonies” in Oregon

February 26, 2020

As Mikey said, “Goonies never say die!”

It’s been 35 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.

So it’s only fitting that we mark the 35th anniversary of “The Goonies” with a statewide celebration. From March to April 2020, Oregon Film and Travel Oregon will host public screenings of the movie in cities across the state, leading up to the official Goonies Day in Astoria in June. Mark your calendar for an event near you.

Editor’s note

Due to a moratorium on large public gatherings, several events have been canceled or postponed. The story will be updated to reflect current events, but please refer to the venue websites for the most up-to-date information.

Bend

Monday, April 20, 2020
6 p.m.
Presented in partnership with BendFilm

McMenamins Old St. Francis Theater

About the theater: Opened in 1936, the St. Francis School was the first parochial school established in Central Oregon. In 2000, the school relocated to northeast Bend and the downtown property was transferred to McMenamins. Onsite there are now 60 guestrooms, bars, a brewery, live music venue, soaking pool and the movie theater. 700 NW Bond St, Bend, OR 97703 Learn more

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Eugene

Thursday, April 23, 2020
7 p.m.

Broadway Metro

About the venue: Centrally located in downtown Eugene, Broadway Metro is a locally owned and operated cinema that showcases foreign, independent and classic films. It’s also host of Encircle Film Series, Disorient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon and MetroArts stage productions. 43 W Broadway, Eugene, OR 97401 Learn more

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Coos Bay

TBD – May 2020
2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Egyptian Theatre

About the theater: Built in 1925, the Egyptian Theatre was inspired by the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb and the Egyptian Revival style of the time. Throughout the theater are tributes to the era, from bronze pharaoh statues to a winged Horus disc above the stage. Part of the National Register of Historic Places, the Egyptian Theatre is the largest movie house of its kind on the Oregon Coast.  The main floor has an ADA-compliant restroom. 229 S Broadway, Coos Bay, OR 97420 Learn more

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Astoria by Joni Kabana

Retrace “The Goonies” at These Film Sites

Every summer “Goonies” fans flock to the official Goonies Day in Astoria celebration, this year held at the Astoria Armory from June 4-7, 2020. 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. It’s forbidden to visit the house of characters Mikey and Brand Walsh (it’s actually someone’s home!), but there are plenty of other sites where you can still geek out. 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.

A sign reads "The historic Clatsop County Jail features in the opening jail break scene."
A Historic Oregon Film Trail sign marks the film site of “The Goonies” opening scene.

Oregon Film Trail

Launched in 2018, 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.

Editor’s note: As of Feb. 12, 2020, Ecola State Park is closed until further notice south of Indian Beach Day-use Area due to landslides damaging the park entrance road and Crescent Beach Trail. However, Indian Beach Day-use Area remains open and is accessible via the 6-mile Tillamook Head Trail from Seaside.

Inside the Goonies exhibit are cardboard cutouts of iconic characters.
Explore the Goonies exhibit at Oregon Film Museum. (Photo by Sachie Yorck)

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.

The Flavel House Museum is a well-preserved Queen Anne home.
The home of Captain George Flavel, a prosperous river bar pilot and real estate investor, was built in 1886. (Photo by Joni Kabana)

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.

A misty day at Cannon Beach with low tide in front of Haystack Rock.
Cannon Beach’s Haystack Rock is unmistakable in the “Goonies” opening car chase scene. (Photo by Mountains Legacy)

Haystack Rock

As 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.

About The
Author

Sachie Yorck
Once Travel Oregon's Integrated Marketing Content & Community Manager and forever an Oregon enthusiast, Sachie Yorck loves telling stories that inspire meaningful travel. When in Oregon, she can be found lingering in a waterfall's mist or swirling wine at a vineyard.

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