The LEGO Group introduced the LEGO Ideas The Goonies set, a 2,912-piece model capturing key moments from the 1985 adventure film, set for release November 1 to LEGO Insiders and November 4 to the public at $329.99.
The kit recreates the Inferno pirate ship alongside modular sections depicting the Fratelli family hideout, underground caves and One-Eyed Willy’s treasure room, each incorporating interactive elements from the movie’s plot. Builders can activate falling boulders with a switch to mimic the treasure room trap, unlock a secret trap door using the Copper Bones Skeleton Key to avoid a pitfall and play the skeleton organ, where incorrect notes trigger a floor collapse. Additional functions include a slide referencing a deleted octopus encounter, Mama Fratelli’s blender for interrogating Chunk and Sloth’s dungeon with pirate movie props and chocolate bars.
Greek fan designer Vaggelis Ntezes, known online as Delusion Brick, originated the concept through the LEGO Ideas platform, where fan submissions garnering 10,000 votes advance to potential production. A 3D artist and art director specializing in video games and events, Ntezes drew inspiration from his affinity for the Pirates theme, particularly the 1989 LEGO sets that sparked his imagination for tropical mysteries and swashbuckling tales. “With the Pirates sets, one’s imagination can fly and you can have different, unique stories and adventures in a beautiful tropical place full of mystery,” Ntezes said. “I consider the 1989 Pirates sets as one of the best LEGO® creations that has affected me not only consciously but subconsciously as well.”
Ntezes conducted thorough research, reviewing deleted scenes such as the giant octopus battle that was ultimately cut but later nodded to by the character Data in the film’s closing lines. He photographed production stills to guide selections, prioritizing details like the ship’s rigging and cave formations while balancing play and display aspects. The main hurdle proved integrating the ship and caves into one cohesive structure. “My biggest concern was figuring out a way to combine the ship and the caves without making them two separate models,” Ntezes said. “So, as I began designing the caves, my first idea was to place the movie logo on the back side. However, I quickly dismissed that idea and thought I could use the ship. It was the most challenging part of the process, but I knew that if I managed to pull it off, I would create a model that offered both playability on one side and display value on the other, making it truly unique as a concept.”
Once selected, the project moved to LEGO’s design team, including model designer Marina Stampoli, graphic designer Anthony Palamaro and Markus Rollbühler, with contributions from Tom Gerardin on the Gift with Purchase attic module. Stampoli, a fellow Greek, highlighted the collaborative energy. “I was personally very excited to work with the first Greek LEGO® Ideas fan designer!” she said. “Vaggelis had the enthusiasm of a child throughout the process, which made our collaboration very fun. He provided feedback and pointed out his favorite parts of the set.”
Palamaro focused on narrative elements. “Marina and I discussed what functions would be fun to have, what cool Easter eggs we could hide, and how to best tell the story of the movie,” he said. “We collaborated to add storytelling to the build, including jokes and nods through graphics and how we could best include our favorite scenes. We also worked together with Warner Bros. to develop Minifigures, sticker details and accuracy of the graphics to the clothing and props. It was incredibly fun to work with them!”
The set measures 7 inches wide, 24 inches long and 14 inches high, ideal for shelf display or interactive sessions. It includes 12 minifigures: Mike “Mikey” Walsh, Clark “Mouth” Devereaux, Richard “Data” Wang, Lawrence “Chunk” Cohen, Andrea “Andy” Carmichael, Stephanie “Stef” Steinbrenner, Brandon “Brand” Walsh, Sloth, Mama Fratelli, Francis Fratelli, Jake Fratelli and One-Eyed Willy. New elements feature Sloth’s pirate hat and bandana, plus Mama Fratelli’s beret and hairpiece.
Purchases through November 7 include the free 179-piece LEGO Ideas The Goonies: The Walsh’s Attic (40733) as a Gift with Purchase, rebuilding the room where the group uncovers the treasure map. The bonus, exclusive to qualifying orders of $99 or more and available while supplies last, underscores the set’s limited-time promotions.
Directed by Richard Donner from a story by Steven Spielberg and screenplay by Chris Columbus, The Goonies follows a band of Astoria, Oregon, kids racing against foreclosure to unearth 17th-century pirate treasure. Principal photography spanned five months in 1984, largely on location in Astoria to capture authentic coastal vibes, with interiors on Los Angeles soundstages. The cast, kept in the dark about the full pirate ship set until filming, delivered unscripted awe that made the cut. Josh Brolin made his feature debut as Brand, while Jeff B. Cohen auditioned through chickenpox to secure Chunk. Sean Astin retained the original treasure map prop, rediscovered by his mother Patty Duke years later.
Deleted footage added layers, including the octopus skirmish filmed with a practical animatronic but excised for pacing, though Data’s line preserves its echo: “That was the scariest thing I ever saw.” Another cut involved escaped zoo gorillas Bertha and Bonzo intersecting the quest, while a sequence showed villain Troy burning the map, explaining its scorch marks. These elements influenced the LEGO design, embedding nods like the octopus slide to honor production lore.
June 7 marks Goonies Day, proclaimed by Astoria to celebrate the film’s legacy, which grossed $125 million worldwide on a $19 million budget and spawned merchandise, including this set. The LEGO Ideas program, started in 2008, has yielded over 100 fan-driven products, from the NASA Apollo Saturn V to Friends’ Central Perk, democratizing design through community votes.
Actor Ke Huy Quan, who portrayed Data, toured the set in a promotional video, praising its fidelity. “For people who grew up in the 80s, it brings a lot of nostalgia and memories of innocent times, friendship and adventures,” Stampoli said. “For everyone else, it’s a hilarious story about a bunch of brave kids who are trying to save their town! And, last but not least, it’s a reminder that sometimes treasures do exist and are worth fighting for!”
Recent 1980s revivals in LEGO form, such as the Gremlins Gizmo and Transformers Soundwave sets, tap into generational appeal, with The Goonies joining as a centerpiece for adult collectors and family builders alike.
