By BrainFall Staff - Updated: March 15, 2024
You think you know the movies of the 1980s, huh? Take this quiz to find out your 80s movie IQ!
What’s Your 80s Movie IQ?
Imagine knowing the name of every flux capacitor and every Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from the cinematic splendor that graced the big screens in the 80s. That's right, we're talking about the decade when E.T. phoned home and Ferris Bueller took a day off. Your ability to identify a movie from a single quote, a character name, or even just a famous movie scene could very well make you a walking, talking 80s movie encyclopedia.
Think you've got what it takes to ace a quiz on the glitzy, neon-infused flicks that defined a generation? Well, just like Marty McFly, it's time to hop into your DeLorean and see if you've got the skills to match the thrill of the 80s movie mania. Grab your popcorn and prepare to relive the most totally tubular decade in film history—no mixtape required.
And remember, whether you're a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, or a criminal, it's the perfect time to prove your silver screen prowess. Will you score as the ultimate 80s movie buff, or will you need to phone a friend? There's only one way to find out, so put on those nostalgia-tinted glasses and let's get quizzing!
Unforgettable Characters and Iconic Roles
Brace yourself for a radical trip down memory lane where heroes brandished lightsabers and villains ruled galaxies. Here's where adventuring archaeologists and high school time travelers became the cool kids on the cinema block.
Galactic Heroes and Villains
Star Wars carved its name in the halls of cinematic history with characters like Han Solo and Princess Leia, brought to life by Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher. They tangled with someone truly breathing heavy on the dark side, Darth Vader. The face-off in The Empire Strikes Back is the stuff of legends and trivia nights.
Adventurers and Rebels
Grab your fedora; Harrison Ford strikes again as the whip-snapping Indiana Jones. This adventurer stole hearts (and ancient artifacts) while dodging booby traps and punching Nazis. If you're a brooding teen at heart, you'll recall that Marty McFly and Doc Brown from Back to the Future rocked the time-space continuum in a decked-out DeLorean.
Supernatural Encounters and Otherworldly Visitors
Sigourney Weaver became a household name as Ellen Ripley in Alien, proving that space wasn't safe from formidable female leads and their extraterrestrial adversaries. Meanwhile, on Earth, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial phoned home, enchanting kids and adults alike. Let's not forget about the proton pack-wielding squad in Ghostbusters who showed everyone who to call when there's something strange in the neighborhood.
Blockbusters and Underdogs: The Films That Defined a Decade
You think you've got the 411 on 80s flicks? Test your movie IQ on the blockbusters that broke records, the sleeper hits that blindsided everyone, and the award-winners that snagged all the glitz and glamour at the Oscars.
Top of the Box Office
Well, butter your popcorn, it's no secret that the 1980s were chock-full of box office juggernauts. Tom Cruise felt the need for speed in Top Gun, skyrocketing both aviation sunglasses sales and his own career. Speaking of shooting for the stars, let's tip our hats to Tom Hanks for making us all wish we could grow up overnight with the hit Big – it was a true fairy-tale business venture. Here's a quick list of heavy hitters:
- Top Gun – Tom Cruise, fighter jets, and that volleyball scene.
- Big – Who knew a fortune-telling machine could jumpstart Tom Hanks's career to the stratosphere?
- Jaws – Spielberg had you second-guessing that swim.
Cult Classics and Sleeper Hits
Now don't go thinking all the greats made a splash at their premiere. Some were slow burns, like a bag of microwave popcorn on the 'popcorn' setting – you just have to wait for the magic. Cue The Shawshank Redemption, penned by Stephen King and immortalized by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. Did it win an Oscar right out of the gate? Nope, but it crept up on us like the best-prison-break-plan-ever. Here, your sleeper hit lineup:
- The Shawshank Redemption – Patience is a virtue, especially in box office earnings.
- Mystery Movie – Test your 80s trivia to unveil this hit. Hint: It's not E.T., but it still has cult-status fingerprints all over it.
Award-Winning Moments
The 80s didn't skimp on the glitz, and neither should your knowledge. How about the genre-bending, Oscars-sweeping flicks? From legal dramas to out-of-this-world adventures, they put those golden statuettes to work. Jaws baited the Academy with tension thick enough to cut with a knife, and Spielberg reeled in a few nominations that set the bar for summer thrillers. Now tuck this under your trivia cap:
- Jaws – Nominee for Best Picture, cemented Spielberg as the big fish in the director's chair.
- Mystery Oscar-Winner – Only true movie buffs can recall this one. It rhymes with "pest lecture."
Remember, your goal is to ace that 80s Movie IQ quiz. So, chuck those shoulder pads on, tease up your hair, and let's see if you've got what it takes to be a certified 80s movie buff!
