100 Ultimate 1980s Trivia Questions: Relive the Nostalgia!

Ah, the 1980s—a decade that shaped an unforgettable era with its distinctive blend of music videos, arcade games, and blockbuster movies. 

Our kids might not get it, but that’s all part of the charm!

For those of us who grew up during these fast-paced years, the memories of leg warmers, the rise of new wave music, and the excitement of loading a new cassette into the boombox are as vivid as ever. 

Whether you were jamming to Madonna while sporting big hair or debating the best “Pac-Man” strategies at the arcade, the ’80s left an indelible mark on all of us. 

This is a perfect chance for a little fun and friendly competition among those of us who truly appreciate the unique vibe of the ’80s.

• What was the name of Michael Jackson’s album released in 1982, which became the best-selling album of all time? Thriller
• Which 1980s TV show featured a talking car named KITT? Knight Rider
• What was the main setting (type of establishment) in the TV show “Cheers”? A bar
• Name the popular 1980s TV show that was heavily focused on the narcotics scene. Miami Vice
• Which British band’s music video was known for its groundbreaking animation and aired as the first music video on MTV in 1981? The Buggles (“Video Killed the Radio Star”)
• Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video was directed by which famous film director? John Landis
• What was the name of the popular 1980s video game featuring a character navigating a maze while being chased by ghosts? Pac-Man
• Which 1980s video game, set in outer space, became a cultural phenomenon and is often credited with popularizing the shoot ’em up genre? Space Invaders
• Name the video game that introduced Mario’s brother, Luigi, in the 1980s. Mario Bros.
• Which 1980s film won the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 1984 Oscar ceremony? Amadeus
• Name the director who won the Academy Award for Best Director in 1982 for a film about an extraterrestrial. Steven Spielberg (for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial)
• Which actress won an Academy Award for her role in the 1987 romantic comedy “Moonstruck”? Cher
• Which five distinct high school stereotypes are represented by the main characters in “The Breakfast Club”? The Brain, The Athlete, The Basket Case, The Princess, The Criminal
• Who directed the 1985 coming-of-age film “The Breakfast Club”? John Hughes
• Complete this quote from “The Breakfast Club”: “We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, ___.” “that’s all.”
• Which 1980s hit song by Madonna featured a controversial music video set in Venice? “Like a Prayer”
• Name the artist and song that won the first ever MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year in 1984. The Cars, “You Might Think”
• What 1980s video game is credited with popularizing the use of cheat codes known as the “Konami Code”? Contra
• During which global event did President Ronald Reagan famously demand, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”? The Cold War
• Which 1980s Steven Spielberg film features a young boy befriending an alien and helping him return home? E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
• Which iconic Michael Jackson music video featured a group of dancing zombies? Thriller
• Which fitness icon became synonymous with workout videos in the 1980s? Jane Fonda
• Which NFL team won the Super Bowl for the first time in 1985? San Francisco 49ers
• What significant scientific breakthrough involving a mammal occurred for the first time in 1986? Cloning (Dolly the Sheep)
• Name the 1980s U.S. economic plan that significantly accelerated the stock market, often referred to by the president’s surname? Reaganomics
• In “Back to the Future,” what is the correct answer to how fast the DeLorean must travel to time travel? 88 miles per hour
• Which John Hughes film features a teenager taking a day off from school, leading to a series of adventures across Chicago? Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
• What was the major nuclear accident in the Soviet Union in 1986, considered one of the worst in history? Chernobyl disaster
• In which 1980s film did Arnold Schwarzenegger say the iconic line, “I’ll be back”? The Terminator
• Which conflict in the 1980s involved the U.S. in a significant military action in Grenada? The Invasion of Grenada
• What was the highest-grossing film of the 1980s, directed by Steven Spielberg and featuring a young archaeologist? Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
• “Billie Jean” is a hit song by which artist, famously performed during the moonwalk debut? Michael Jackson
• Which epic space opera film series, created by George Lucas, released its third installment in 1983? Star Wars (Return of the Jedi)
• What is the name of the stylish detective played by Don Johnson in “Miami Vice”? Sonny Crockett
• Which 1980s action film features Bruce Willis as a New York cop battling thieves in a Los Angeles skyscraper? Die Hard
• What prominent fashion trend for business women is synonymous with the 1980s? Shoulder pads.
• What iconic 1980s music video by a-ha featured a blend of pencil-sketch animation and live-action? “Take On Me”
• Which 1980s arcade game, known for its simple yet addictive gameplay, involves stacking different shaped blocks? Tetris
• In what year did Michael Jackson first perform the moonwalk during a televised performance? 1983
• Who was the fashion icon of the 1980s known for her wedding dress with huge puffed sleeves? Princess Diana
• Which economic policy defined the fast-paced financial growth of Wall Street during the Reagan years? Reaganomics
• Name the operation that marked the United States’ invasion of Panama in the late 1980s. Operation Just Cause
• Which 1980s British Prime Minister was known for her strong conservative policies and leadership during the Falklands War? Margaret Thatcher
• What was the name of the popular 1980s doll that sparked shopping frenzies each Christmas season? Cabbage Patch Kids
• Which 1980s international terrorism event involved the hijacking of TWA Flight 847? The TWA Flight 847 hijacking
• What David Bowie album, released in 1983, included the hit singles “Let’s Dance” and “China Girl”? Let’s Dance
• Name the band behind the hit 1980s song “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Bon Jovi
• Which Stanley Kubrick film, released in 1980, is considered a classic of the horror genre? The Shining
• What is the theme song of the 1980s sitcom “Golden Girls”? “Thank You for Being a Friend”
• Which TV series featured four older women living together in Miami, becoming a staple of 1980s television? Golden Girls
• Which Sylvester Stallone movie, released in 1985, features his character leading a rescue mission in Vietnam? Rambo: First Blood Part II
• Name the first movie directed by Tom Cruise, which features him as a high school student starting a brothel in his home. Risky Business
• What was the first hip-hop single to top the Billboard charts in the 1980s? “Walk This Way” by Run-D.M.C. featuring Aerosmith
• Which 1980s action-adventure film includes a treasure hunt in the Amazon rainforest? Romancing the Stone
• What 1983 blockbuster movie, directed by James L. Brooks, won an Academy Award for Best Picture? Terms of Endearment
• Which music video, featuring a lip-syncing cat and innovative animation, was a staple on MTV in the 1980s? “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits
• What was the first video game to feature a female protagonist, released in 1986? Metroid
• Name the 1980s U.S. sitcom that was groundbreaking for its portrayal of racial tensions in a Brooklyn high school. Welcome Back, Kotter
• What was the name of the debut album by Whitney Houston, released in 1985, that topped the charts for 14 non-consecutive weeks? Whitney Houston
• What name was given to the robot sidekick in the TV series “Knight Rider”? KITT
• Which song by Queen, prominent in the 1980s music scene, became known for its operatic sections and unique structure? “Bohemian Rhapsody”
• Which U.S. Supreme Court case of the 1980s was crucial for the discussion around copyright laws for home videotaping? Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc.
• What was the name of the high school in the iconic 1980s film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”? Shermer High School
• Which blockbuster movie of 1985 starred Michael J. Fox as a teenager who travels back in time in a DeLorean? Back to the Future
• What significant Supreme Court decision involving affirmative action took place in 1986? Wygant v. Jackson Board of Education
• Name the comedy film that featured Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd in a story about social class and commodity trading. Trading Places
• Which famine relief effort was highlighted by the 1985 Live Aid concert? The Ethiopian famine
• What was the name of the space shuttle that blew up in 1986 during a catastrophic event watched by millions? Challenger disaster
• Who was the artist behind the hit song “Like a Virgin,” which topped the charts in the early 1980s? Madonna
• What is the name of the adventure film series that features a professor of archaeology who embarks on fantastical journeys? Indiana Jones
• Which music video by Michael Jackson featured complex dance sequences in an urban setting and is considered one of the most iconic videos of the 1980s? “Thriller”
• What was the name of the popular 1980s TV series that showcased a group of elderly women living together in Miami, highlighting issues of aging with humor and warmth? The Golden Girls
• Which song by John Lennon, released posthumously in 1981, became a powerful anthem for peace? “Imagine”
• What iconic 1980s music video is known for its large-scale university library dance sequence? “It’s a Sin” by Pet Shop Boys
• Which 1980s video game became a cultural icon with its simple gameplay involving a plumber saving a princess? Super Mario Bros.
• What was one of the big stories of the 1980s that involved the United States’ military action in the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm? Note: Operation Desert Storm began in 1991, but the buildup and context were rooted in the late 1980s tensions.
• Which band made an indelible mark on the music scene with their 1981 album “Escape,” which includes the song “Don’t Stop Believin'”? Journey
• During the 1980s, which British prime minister’s leadership left an indelible mark on UK and global politics? Margaret Thatcher
• Which movie about a dance instructor and his student became a blockbuster hit in 1987 and is known for the line “Nobody puts Baby in a corner”? Dirty Dancing
• Name the 1980s U.S. Supreme Court case that was a significant decision regarding abortion rights. Planned Parenthood v. Casey (although decided in 1992, its roots and context involve 1980s precedents and debates)
• What 1980s pop culture phenomenon involved large, decorative hair styles often held in place with copious amounts of hairspray? Big Hair
• Which song by Michael Jackson became a top charting hit in 1983 and is one of the best-selling singles worldwide? “Billie Jean”
• Name the arcade game introduced in the 1980s that featured a gorilla throwing barrels at a character who later would be known as Mario. Donkey Kong
• Which NASA space shuttle was tragically lost during a mission in 1986, becoming one of the big stories of the decade? Challenger
• What was the name of the robot in the popular sci-fi film “Blade Runner” (1982)? Roy Batty (though not exactly a robot, he was a replicant)
• Which 1980s TV series, set in Atlanta, Georgia, featured the character Designing Women and is known for addressing issues such as racism, sexism, and domestic violence? Designing Women
• Name the hip hop group whose 1986 album “Licensed to Ill” became a defining moment in the genre. Beastie Boys
• What was the name of the first music video broadcast on MTV on August 1, 1981? “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles
• Which 1980s comedy film stars Chevy Chase as a bumbling and gregarious reporter who becomes embroiled in a spy plot? Fletch
• Name the first American woman to travel into space, achieving this historic feat aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983. Sally Ride
• What song by Freddie Mercury was used as the theme for the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles? “Radio Ga Ga”
• Which popular 1980s TV show featured a family dealing with everyday life during the Reagan era, emphasizing family ties and moral lessons? Family Ties
• Which Grammy Award did Whitney Houston win for the first time in 1986, marking a significant achievement in her career? Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “Saving All My Love for You”
• What iconic 1980s music video featured the artist dancing with zombies in a graveyard? “Thriller” by Michael Jackson
• Which 1980s video game, involving a plumber saving a princess, revolutionized the gaming industry? Super Mario Bros.
• What term describes the intense, fast-paced economic and cultural growth of the 1980s, often associated with Wall Street? The Decade of Greed
• During Ronald Reagan’s presidency, which military operation was launched in 1983 to liberate Grenada? Operation Urgent Fury
• Which band reached the top of the charts in 1987 with their album “The Joshua Tree”? U2
• Name a popular trivia board game that gained significant popularity during the 1980s and often features questions about the decade. Trivial Pursuit
• What 1980s event involved Gary Ridgway, known as the Green River Killer, who was notorious during this time? The Green River Killings
• Which awe-inspiring 1980s act involved a music concert aimed at raising funds for famine relief in Ethiopia? Live Aid
• What forgotten media format became iconic in the 1980s for music sharing and recording? Cassette tapes
• Which 1980s U.S. Supreme Court decision had a significant impact on the interpretation of copyright laws in the context of new technologies? Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc.
• Which NBA player famously played for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1980s and is known for his rivalry with Larry Bird? Magic Johnson
• Which character, played by Michael J. Fox, travels back in time to the 1950s in his time machine? Marty McFly
• Which actress won a Best Actress Oscar in 1983 for her role in “Sophie’s Choice”? Meryl Streep
• What popular TV show of the 1980s featured a highly idealized family dynamic and tackled serious issues like addiction and peer pressure? The Cosby Show
• Name the 1986 Challenger space shuttle mission that tragically ended in disaster shortly after takeoff. STS-51-L
• Which Grammy Award did Michael Jackson win for his album “Thriller” in 1984, marking a significant achievement in his career? Album of the Year
• Which 1980s talk show host became famous for his all-night television talk show that debuted in 1985? Larry King
• Name the iconic 1980s action film that solidified Sylvester Stallone as a major movie star. Rambo: First Blood Part II
• Which iconic 1980s song by Queen became associated with Live Aid, a dual-venue concert held in 1985? Radio Gaga
• In which 1980s film does a group of kids search for treasure while trying to save their homes from foreclosure? The Goonies
• What was the name of the first space shuttle launched by NASA in 1981? Columbia
• Which 1980s TV series featured a wealthy oil family from Texas, known for its dramatic twists and the iconic “Who Shot J.R.?” episode? Dallas
• Which famous 1980s pop star was known as the Material Girl?Answer: Madonna
• What groundbreaking technology was introduced by Sony in 1982, changing how people listened to music on the go?Answer: The Sony Walkman
• Which 1980s television show featured an extraterrestrial living with a suburban family, known for his love of cats? Answer: ALF

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As we wrap up our journey through the neon-lit streets of the 1980s, I hope these trivia questions have sparked joy and a bit of competitive spirit at your trivia night. 

The ’80s was a decade of transformation that influenced countless aspects of pop culture and beyond. 

Share these memories and facts with your family and friends, and let the legacy of the 1980s live on through stories and laughter!