40 80s Movie Trivia Questions

The 1980s was a decade filled with iconic movies that continue to captivate audiences today. 

From action-packed blockbusters to heartwarming comedies, the ’80s had it all. Whether you’re a seasoned cinephile or just a fan of the era, testing your knowledge with some 80s movie trivia is always a blast. 

So, put on your neon legwarmers and get ready to travel back in time with these questions. 

Let’s begin. 

80s Movie Trivia Questions

1. In the 1984 film “Ghostbusters,” what is the full name of the character played by Sigourney Weaver, and what specific type of musician is her character?
   
   
2. In “The Empire Strikes Back,” released in 1980, which planet does Luke Skywalker travel to in order to receive training from Yoda?
   
   
3. Name the 1982 science fiction film that was a commercial failure upon its initial release but later became a cult classic, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford.
   
   
4. In the 1986 movie “Top Gun,” what is the call sign of Tom Cruise’s character, and what is the name of his love interest played by Kelly McGillis?
   
   
5. What 1985 film directed by John Hughes features five high school students serving detention, and can you name the actors who played the “Brain,” the “Athlete,” the “Basket Case,” the “Princess,” and the “Criminal”?
   
   
6. In the 1987 film “The Princess Bride,” what is the name of the giant played by André the Giant, and what are the three classic blunders mentioned by Vizzini?
   
   
7. What is the name of the fictional town in Oregon where the 1985 film “The Goonies” is set, and what famous pirate’s treasure are the characters searching for?
   
   
8. In the 1989 film “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” what is the name of the actor who plays Indiana Jones’ father, and what is the final test Indiana must pass to reach the Holy Grail?
   
   
9. Name the 1980 horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on a Stephen King novel, and describe the significance of the phrase “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” within the film.
   
   
10. In the 1988 film “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” who is the voice actor for Roger Rabbit, and what is the name of the fictional Los Angeles suburb where toons live?
    
    
11. In the 1984 film “The Karate Kid,” what specific technique does Mr. Miyagi teach Daniel to perform in the final tournament?
    
    
12. What is the name of the theme song from the 1986 film “Top Gun,” who performed it, and what award did it win?
    
    
13. In the 1982 film “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” what is the name of the young boy who befriends E.T., and what candy does E.T. famously enjoy?
    
    
14. What 1987 movie, directed by Adrian Lyne, became infamous for its portrayal of an affair and its consequences, starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close?
    
    
15. In “Back to the Future,” released in 1985, what is the name of the town where Marty McFly lives, and what type of car is used as the time machine?
    
    
16. Name the 1980 film that features a comedic take on the sci-fi genre, directed by Jim Abrahams and the Zucker brothers, and parodying popular science fiction and disaster films of the time.
    
    
17. In the 1988 film “Die Hard,” what is the name of the skyscraper where the majority of the film’s action takes place?
    
    
18. Who directed the 1986 film “Aliens,” and what is the name of the planet where the colony that Ripley and the marines visit is located?
    
    
19. What 1989 film features the characters Bill S. Preston, Esq., and Ted “Theodore” Logan, and what is their band’s name?
    
    
20. In the 1984 movie “Purple Rain,” who plays the lead role, and what is the name of the club where his character performs?
    
    
21. What is the name of the dance Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze perform at the end of the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing”?
    
    
22. In the 1985 film “Witness,” starring Harrison Ford, what is the name of the Amish widow he protects, and what unique aspect of Amish culture is prominently featured?
    
    
23. What 1981 adventure film, directed by Steven Spielberg, introduces the character Indiana Jones, and what artifact is he searching for in the film?
    
    
24. In the 1989 dark comedy “Heathers,” what is the name of the high school, and what unusual method do the main characters use to dispatch their enemies?
    
    
25. What is the name of the character played by Matthew Broderick in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986), and what is the make and model of the car he borrows to take his day off?
    
    
26. In the 1987 fantasy film “Labyrinth,” who plays the Goblin King, and what is the name of the teenage girl he kidnaps the baby brother of?
    
    
27. In “The Terminator” (1984), what is the name of the company responsible for creating Skynet, and what specific model Terminator is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character?
    
    
28. What 1980 musical film, featuring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, combines roller disco with Greek mythology?
    
    
29. In the 1989 film “Dead Poets Society,” what is the name of the school where the story takes place, and what is the Latin phrase that Robin Williams’ character uses to inspire his students?
    
    
30. Which 1984 horror film introduced Freddy Krueger as a villain, and what is unique about the realm in which he attacks his victims?
    
    
31. In “Blade Runner” (1982), what term is used to describe the bioengineered beings that the main character hunts, and what is the Voight-Kampff test used for?
    
    
32. What 1985 film directed by Ron Howard features a young scientist’s invention that unexpectedly creates a time-travel scenario involving his parents?
    
    
33. In the 1988 film “Big,” what is the name of the toy company Tom Hanks’ character works for, and what magical device allows him to become an adult overnight?
    
    
34. Name the 1983 film that chronicles the rise and fall of Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant turned powerful drug lord in Miami.
    
    
35. In the 1986 film “Platoon,” directed by Oliver Stone, what is the name of the character played by Charlie Sheen, and what are the names of the two sergeants he clashes between?
    
    
36. What is the name of the machine in “Weird Science” (1985) that the two teenagers use to create their ideal woman, and what is the name of the woman they create?
    
    
37. In the 1987 movie “Predator,” what is the specific type of environment where the majority of the film’s action takes place?
    
    
38. What 1980 film, directed by Martin Scorsese, features Robert De Niro as a troubled boxer, and what is the name of the boxer?
    
    
39. In the 1989 film “When Harry Met Sally,” what do Harry and Sally debate about during their drive from Chicago to New York?
    
    
40. Name the 1983 film where a hacker nearly starts World War III after mistaking a military simulation for a computer game.

Answers

1. Dana Barrett; she is a professional cellist.
   
   
2. Dagobah.
   
   
3. “Blade Runner.”
   
   
4. Call sign: “Maverick”; love interest: Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood.
   
   
5. “The Breakfast Club”; Anthony Michael Hall (Brian Johnson – the “Brain”), Emilio Estevez (Andrew Clark – the “Athlete”), Ally Sheedy (Allison Reynolds – the “Basket Case”), Molly Ringwald (Claire Standish – the “Princess”), Judd Nelson (John Bender – the “Criminal”).
   
   
6. Fezzik; the three classic blunders are: (1) Never get involved in a land war in Asia, (2) Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line, and (3) Never start a sea battle with a Sicilian when death is on the line. (Note: The third is not directly quoted from the film but aligns with the spirit of Vizzini’s warnings, the actual second blunder involves underestimating the determination of a Sicilian when death is on the line.)
   
   
7. Astoria; they are searching for One-Eyed Willy’s treasure.
8. Sean Connery; the final test is the Leap of Faith (a seemingly impassable chasm that requires an act of faith to cross).
   
   
9. “The Shining”; the phrase indicates the mental deterioration of the main character, Jack Torrance, as he types this sentence over and over.
   
   
10. Charles Fleischer; the suburb is called “Toontown.”
    
    
11. The Crane Kick.
    
    
12. “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin; it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
    
    
13. Elliot; Reese’s Pieces.
    
    
14. “Fatal Attraction.”
    
    
15. Hill Valley; a DeLorean.
    
    
16. “Airplane!”
    
    
17. Nakatomi Plaza.
    
    
18. Directed by James Cameron; LV-426 (Acheron).
    
    
19. “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure”; Wyld Stallyns.
    
    
20. Prince; The First Avenue nightclub.
    
    
21. The Time of My Life (Lift Dance).
    
    
22. Rachel Lapp; the raising of a barn is a key cultural element shown.
    
    
23. “Raiders of the Lost Ark”; The Ark of the Covenant.
    
    
24. Westerburg High School; poisoning and making the deaths appear as suicides.
    
    
25. Ferris Bueller; 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder.
    
    
26. David Bowie plays the Goblin King (Jareth); the teenage girl is Sarah Williams.
    
    
27. Cyberdyne Systems; T-800 Model 101.
    
    
28. “Xanadu.”
    
    
29. Welton Academy; “Carpe diem” (Seize the day).
    
    
30. “A Nightmare on Elm Street”; he attacks his victims in their dreams.
    
    
31. Replicants; to determine if an individual is a replicant by measuring empathetic response.
    
    
32. “Cocoon.”
    
    
33. MacMillan Toy Company; a Zoltar Speaks machine.
    
    
34. “Scarface.”
    
    
35. Private Chris Taylor; Sergeant Elias Grodin and Sergeant Bob Barnes.
    
    
36. A computer; Lisa.
    
    
37. A Central American jungle.
    
    
38. “Raging Bull”; Jake LaMotta.
    
    
39. Whether men and women can just be friends without sex getting in the way.
    
    
40. “WarGames.”