The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $52 million against a production budget of $8 million. It received two nominations at the 59th Academy Awards, for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Phoenix).
Plot:
Four 12-year-old friends in small town Castle Rock, Oregon, hear from a bully that a boy named Ray Brower has been killed and his body dumped by the train tracks. The boys become fascinated by the tale, and when Chris Chambers, the oldest and leader of the group, announces he knows where the body is, they set out on a hike to find it.
Along the way, they encounter various challenges, including a thunderstorm, a group of older teenagers who threaten them, and a field of leeches. They also learn more about each other and their own lives.
Eventually, they reach the railroad trestle where Ray Brower's body is supposed to be, but it is nowhere to be found. Dejected, the boys start to head back, unsure if the whole expedition was a hoax. Suddenly, they hear a sound and turn to see Ace, one of the older teenagers who had threatened them earlier. Ace and his friends begin attacking the boys, but they are outnumbered and outmatched.
Just when it seems things are hopeless, Chris takes a rock and smashes Ace in the head, knocking him unconscious. The boys quickly flee.