From neon leggings to old gadgets, such as cassette tapes, the 80s era was definitely the trendsetter. It wasn’t just about big hair and shoulder pads; it was a time of groundbreaking music and blockbuster movies.
Whether you miss the 80s because that’s when your childhood unfolded, or you fell in love with the decade after watching every single episode of Stranger Things, one great way to bring back the vibes is to play an 80s trivia game.
It was also the decade that, among other things, gave us a lot of great metal bands. Remember that if you want to organize an 80s music trivia night.
If you are more into cinema, an 80s movie trivia game can include so many favorite classics. And, of course, there are also video games, sports events, and TV shows – 80s pop culture trivia is full of fascinating events, characters, and facts.
One tricky thing about organizing an 80s trivia quiz is that you either don’t remember a lot of the details – it was a long time ago, even if we don’t want to admit it – or you never knew those details in the first place because they happened before your time. That’s why if you are putting together a list of 80s trivia questions and answers, you should make sure to double-check everything.
For this article, we collected over one hundred 1980s trivia questions. So, do you think you know your way around this totally tubular decade? Get ready to test your knowledge on everything from the birth of MTV to the triumph of arcade games. Tell us in the comments how many you scored without looking at the answers.
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Which video game was the most popular video game of the 1980s?
What is the name of the maze-themed arcade game released in 1980?
What famous Disney film, released in 1989, starred a princess with red hair?
Which film features this famous quote “Carpe Diem boys. Seize the day. Make your lives extraordinary?”
What famous boat/wreckage was found in 1985?
What are Some Fun Facts About the 80s?
The 80s witnessed the rise of iconic pop stars like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Prince. They dominated the music charts with hits that are still classics today.
This was also the time when MTV launched (1981) and brought music videos into our homes. Fun fact: The first music video ever played on MTV was Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles. Ironic, isn’t it?
It was also the time when video arcades burst onto the scene. Classic games like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Donkey Kong captivated players for hours.
Here’s another 80s trivia: IBM launched the Apple Macintosh in the 80s, which paved the way for the digital age. And let’s not forget the epic movies, such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Indiana Jones, Top Gun, Back to the Future, The Terminator, and, of course, the horror classic, The Shining.
"Never going to give you up. Never going to let you down." These lyrics are to what popular 1980s song?
Which '80s movie has six sequels and a TV series in its name?
What is the age of Prince in 'Purple Rain'?
In the 1980s a film was released about shrinking people. It was called what?
Which actor played the husband in the hit movie, "The Money Pit?"
What are the 80s Iconic For?
The 80s witnessed the explosion of diverse music genres, from the rise of pop icons like Michael Jackson and Madonna to the dominance of rock bands such as Queen and Guns N’ Roses.
This era is also synonymous with bold and eclectic fashion, featuring neon colors, oversized accessories, leg warmers, mullet hairstyles, and power suits. This was also the time when breakdancing and hip-hop culture gained massive popularity and influenced music, dance, and fashion.
Here’s another interesting 1980s trivia: Jane Fonda released her workout tapes in 1982 and turned aerobics into a cultural phenomenon.
What date to they travel to in Back to the Future: Part II?
80s kids will remember the VHS - but what does it stand for?
What year was the Berlin Wall torn down?
Which advertising slogan was launched by Nike in 1988?
In 1983, the first camcorder was released by what company?
What Were Some of the Most Popular Catchphrases from the 80s?
Even after 40 years have passed, the 1980s remain iconic for a number of things. The 80s were the heyday of new lingo, aka slang that the young Gen Xers of that time used. Brush up on your 80s trivia with these slangs and their meaning:
- Gag me with a spoon! (meaning: That’s disgusting!)
- Totally tubular! and Cowabunga! (meaning: It’s so exciting!)
- Radical! (meaning: Cool!)
- Gnarly (meaning: Amazing, as well as disgusting)
- Eat my shorts! (meaning: Go away!)
- Veg out (meaning: Relax and do nothing)
- Wannabe (meaning: Someone pretending to be someone else)
How many of these 80s catchphrases do you still use?
Sony released the first commercial compact disc player in what year?
Which video game, released in 1981, was the first game to tell a story during gameplay?
In 1983, French scientist Dr. Luc Montagnier discovered which virus?
Who plays the main character in the movie 1988 comedy-drama movie 'Big'?
What is the total number of dots on a 'Pac-Man' board?
What are the names of the ghosts who chase 'Pac-Man'?
Clockwise, name the order in which the colors appear on a Simon.
Which of these historical figures is not named in Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start The Fire"? A. Harry Truman B. Liberace C. Jackie Kennedy D. Sugar Ray Robinson
What photographic device was introduced to the world in 1986?
Who is the actor who stars in the Indiana Jones films?
Doc Brown and Marty McFly are the main characters in what well-known 80s film?
How many “Star Wars” films were released in the 1980s?
Who is the villain in the 1985 video game “Mario Kart”?
What is the name of the volcano in Washington State that erupted in 1980 and caused what is considered the deadliest eruption in U.S. history?
Which cult classic horror film was directed by Sam Raimi and released in 1981?
Which NFL team won the most Super Bowl championships in the 80s?
“Get to the chopper!” is a famous line from what 1987 sci-fi film?
What candy does Elliot give to E.T.?
What 1985 film features characters named Chunk, Mouth, Data, and Sloth?
What is the name of the 1984 sci-fi comedy that stars Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Harold Ramis?
What was the popular tagline of the movie 'The Transformers: The Movie'?
Answer: "Beyond good. Beyond evil. Beyond your wildest imagination."
Which '80s movie was written as a tribute to the city of Chicago?
What do River Phoenix and his friends search for in the movie 'Stand By Me'?
Where was the 1988 Winter Olympics hosted?
Who won the first Rugby World Cup in 1987?
What company made cell phones in the 1980s?
What was the most popular board game of the 1980s?
What popular board game featured ships that you would sink?
What song does Tom Cruise dance to in Risky Business?
In the game "Guitar Hero"(I believe "World Tour"), the song starts with the singer copying Tom Cruise's entrance in the movie.
Which '00s singer got her start on Kids Incorporated?
Which popular news network launched on June 1, 1980?
In this popular '80s song, what was Jenny's phone number?
In what year did Prince Charles and Lady Diana get married?
What is the name of the 1985 comedy-drama about a group of high schoolers in detention?
What is the name of Michael Jackson's most popular album which was released in 1982?
What is the name of the 8-year war that occurred in western Asia from 1980 to 1988?
Who is the central character of the 1985 movie 'Desperately Seeking Susan'?
Wrong. The central character is, in fact, Susan. Madonna is the actress.
What is the name of the movie based on the 1971 novel titled 'Mrs. Frisby And The Rats Of NIMH'?
Which movie is Alan Rickman’s first feature film role?
What weapon does Indiana Jones mainly use?
Which team was Magic Johnson part of in the '80s?
When was the last soccer World Cup of the '80s held?
Which 1982 video game makes use of a flying spacecraft and isometric projection?
Which game designed in 1981 consists of boxes and floating lines?
What is the name of the sequel to the 'Tron' game?
In which year was the Galaxian game sequel, 'Galaga', released?
Who designed the laserdisc game known as 'Space Ace'?
Does the staff that searches for photos care about getting the correct images?
In which game do you get to play the role of a knight perched on top of a flying ostrich?
Madonna's first Billboard Hot 100 song was what?
What was the most popular television series of the 1980s?
Which first lady was responsible for the 1980s "Just Say No" campaign?
Freddy Krueger is the antagonist of which '80s horror movie franchise?
What 1988 movie gave Julia Roberts her big break (and included Matt Damon's first speaking line)?
Where were the 1980 Olympic Games held?
Which computer sold in the 1980s still holds the Guinness World Record for the highest-selling computer of all time?
In 1989, Nintendo released a handheld video game player called what?
What is the name of the 1988 cult classic film starring Michael Keaton and Alec Baldwin?
Which 80s horror film featured a child actor who didn’t know he was acting in a horror movie?
Arnold Schwarzenegger became one of the most recognizable stars in the 80s. What is the 1982 film that gave him his big break?
In the movie 'The Breakfast Club' which actor played the character named Jock?
Name the 1980 film based on the life of John Merrick.
Which is the first Disney animated film that made use of computer graphics?
Which 1980 American parody film was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture?
Where does Eddie Murphy’s character work in the movie 'Harlem Nights'?
In which '80s movie did Bob Hoskins star as Detective Eddie Valiant?
What is the spirit that takes hold of Sigourney Weaver’s character in the film 'Ghostbusters'?
Which Grand Slam tournament final takes place in a meadow?
Which country won 83 gold medals and topped the 1984 Olympics medal table?
Which 1981 video game has the same name as a Shakespearean play?
Which 1982 game allows participants to ride a moon buggy?
What 1980s synth-pop duo wore red pyramid hats on their head?
A Nightmare on Elm Street featured which creepy and spooky fictional character?
This film featured golfing and comedy as its main act. It was called what?
Which film title featured a police officer and a dog solving a murder?
Which Texas town was Jessica McClure, the baby in the well, from?
The first cellular phone system became available in America in 1983. How much did the phone weigh?
Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister in the UK during the 1980s. What was her nickname?
In 1986, the first fatal accident involving an American spacecraft in flight occurred. What was the name of the space shuttle?
“A Light in the Attic,” published in 1981, is a collection of poetry written by who?
Which American actress is well-known for her workout videos in the 80s?
Who is the protagonist in the 1984 film “The Terminator”?
What taffy-like fruit candy featuring a balloon on the wrapper came out in 1985?
What tiny, tangy, and crunchy candy was first introduced in the 1971 film “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” but wasn’t available in stores until 1983?
Who was the U.S. President who served two consecutive terms from 1981 to 1989?
“Love is a Battlefield” was recorded and released in 1983 by which American singer?
Who played the leading role in the movie "All Dogs Go To Heaven"?
This is phrased horribly. The leading character was Charlie B Barkin. That role was played/voiced by Burt Reynolds.
In which animated movie does the song 'There Are No Cats In America' feature?
What is the real name of Baby in 'Dirty Dancing'?
What is the Prince’s name in the 1987 fantasy film 'The Princess Bride'?
What is the name of Jake Ryan’s girlfriend in 'Sixteen Candles'?
What is the real name of Duckie in the movie 'Pretty In Pink'?
His real name was Philip F. "Duckie" Dale, played by the actor Jon Cryer.
Who won the Formula One World Title in 1984?
Who designed the shooter arcade game known as 'Centipede'?
Name the three missiles in 'Missile Command'.
What is the name of the bomb used to destroy the enemies in 'Tempest'?
What '80s duet featured Fleetwood Mac and Eagles?
Zach Morris is a fictional character on what TV show?
What film used Blondie's "Call Me" song as the theme song?
What was the highest-selling record of the 1980s?
In what city did "Ferris Buellers Day Off" take place?
What television series starred actor Kirk Cameron?
How many cabbage patch kids were sold at the end of the 1980s?
How many children did Roseanne have on the TV show "Roseanne?"
Michael J. Fox was best known for which 80s TV show?
Which early '80s synth-pop duo featured former Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke?
Who was the only major male character among Strawberry Shortcake and friends?
What was the highest-grossing film of the 80s?
What popular doll experienced its peak in popularity between 1983 and 1986?
In the movie 'Sixteen Candles', who drives the Rolls-Royce car?
Ugh. Jake’s father owns it. Anthony Michael Hall’s character, “Farmer Ted” (Ted Farmer) drives the car in the film.
Who won the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible in 1986?
Who became a chart-topper in 1988 through the song 'I Think We’re Alone Now'?
What was the most popular candy of the 1980s?
What was the song that Tom Cruise danced to in the film Risky Business?
This list is ridiculous. Question already asked. This isn’t the answer.
