80'sPop Culture

104 Totally Tubular 80s Trivia Questions Every 80’s Kid Should Ace

The 1980s: an era known for big hair, bigger shoulder pads, and some of the biggest pop culture moments in history. From the era-defining music of Madonna and Michael Jackson to iconic movies like ‘Back to the Future‘ and ‘The Breakfast Club,’ the ’80s had it all. The decade gave birth to MTV, introduced us to Pac-Man, and made us all believe that “greed is good.”

This set of ’80s trivia questions and answers is a total nostalgia trip. Remember when E.T. phoned home? Or when Ferris Bueller took a day off? How about that time when everyone was trying to solve the Rubik’s Cube? This quiz will test how well you remember those rad times.

Take a trip down memory lane with this ’80s quiz and find out if you are a true ’80s aficionado or just an occasional time-traveler. No need to break out your old cassette tapes for a refresher—we’ve got all the best bits from the 1980s right here!

For those who can’t get enough of the trivia buzz, check out our 70’s trivia questions or let’s see how well you know the new millenium with our 2000’s trivia. If you’re a movie buff, don’t miss our 80’s movie trivia questions.

Which two toy lines, released in 1982, became the most popular?

Transformers and Barbie

Lego City and Hot Wheels

Masters of the Universe and G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero

My Little Pony and Cabbage Patch Kids

In 1982, which virus famously targeted Apple II computers?

Brain

Creeper

Elk Cloner

Morris Worm

What was No Doubt’s first released video called?

Just A Girl

Don’t Speak

Spiderwebs

Trapped In A Box

Which artist originally sang the hit single “Der Kommissar (The Commissioner)”?

Missing Persons

Falco

Sandra

After The Fire

In the ” Galaga ” arcade game, what color does your ship turn if captured in a tractor beam?

Yellow

Blue

Green

Red

In “A Fish Called Wanda”, what advice does Otto give while eating the pet fish?

Avoid The Blue Ones

Avoid The Black Ones

Avoid The Green Ones

Avoid The Orange Ones

Who was the first female candidate for Vice President in U.S. history in 1984?

Hillary Clinton

Angelina Jolie

Geraldine Ferraro

Nancy Pelosi

Who led the “Rainbow Coalition” in the 1980s?

Gary Hart

James Watt

Elton John

Rev. Jesse Jackson

What actor made his big screen debut in the 1986 film “SpaceCamp”?

Balthazar Getty

Kevin Chapman

John Travolta

Joaquin Phoenix

In 1987, which famous singer appeared on the TV soap “Another World”?

Kenny G

Dolly Parton

Crystal Gayle

Kenny Rogers

Which actress was featured in the 80’s sitcom, “Square Pegs”?

Sarah Jessica Parker

Justine Bateman

Mindy Cohn

Courteney Cox

What Blondie album was released in 1982?

No Exit

The Hunter

AutoAmerican

Parallel Lines

How many Bond movies were made in the 1980s?

0

4

6

1

These two benefits, “Live Aid” and “Band Aid”, benefited what?

Aids Research

Homeless In The USA

Aids Education

African Famine Relief

Who is famous for the slogan “Champagne wishes and caviar dreams”?

Robin Leach

Dick Cavett

Monty Hall

Fernando Lamas

What 80’s British music star guest starred in one episode of the “A-Team”?

George Harrison

Ozzy Osbourne

Boy George

George Michaels

What’s the name of the hurricane that hit the coast of South Carolina on September 22, 1988?

Hurricane Andrew

Hurricane Billy-Ray

Hurricane Hugo

Hurricane Gracie

In what 1986 film did George Harrison play a nightclub singer?

Gateway To Spies

The Golden Child

Shanghai Surprise

Ruthless People

What is Baby’s real name in “Dirty Dancing”?

Frances

Barbara

Lisa

Cindy

Who was the first American woman to travel to space in 1983?

Mae Jemison

Sally Ride

Eileen Collins

Judith Resnik

Tom Hanks and Donna Dixon starred in which 1980s TV show?

The Cosby Show

Bosom Buddies

Mad About You

Bewitched

Who starred with Michael J. Fox in the movie “Light Of Day”?

Tina Turner

Kim Carnes

Chrissie Hynde

Joan Jett

How much did the first “Air Jordan” retail for in 1985?

$15

$225

$65

$105

What was the name of the multi-platinum 1988 album by Gloria Estefan?

Let It Loose

Gloria

Destiny

Cuts Both Ways

Who sang the theme to the 1988 movie “Working Girl”?

Michelle Shocked

Linda Ronstadt

Sheryl Crow

Carly Simon

Elton John sang with which R&B artist in 1985’s single “That’s What Friends are For”?

Patti LaBelle

Dionne Warwick

Aretha Franklin

Martha Reeves

U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop denounced what practice in 1982?

Plastic Surgery

Smoking

Drinking

Not Wearing A Seatbelt

What 1984 movie did Belinda Carlisle perform in?

Firestarter

Purple Rain

Swing Shift

This Is Spinal Tap

Who was the co-founder of Apple Computer, who founded NeXT Computer in 1985?

Steven Paul Jobs

Jeffrey P. Bezos

Lee De Forest

Gordon Moore

Who put out the hit single “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” in 1985?

Culture Beat

Wham!

Gerry Rafferty

Surfaris

Krystle Carrington is a character from which television series?

Passions

General Hospital

Dallas

Dynasty

In 1984, who offered Billy Gibbon and Dusty Hill money to cut off their beards?

Gillette

MTV

Bic

Sony

What was the baby’s name in “Three Men and a Baby”?

Elizabeth

Mary

Christy

Susan

Who is Donkey Kong’s primary sidekick in “Donkey Kong”?

Diddy

Cranky

Buddy

Skippy

Jeff Lynne of ELO joined which band in 1988?

Material Issue

Genesis

Fleetwood Mac

Traveling Wilburys

The logo for which 1980s maker of pants was a “Slippery When Wet” caution sign?

Skidz

Nike

Jellies

Hanes

In Don Bluth’s cartoon feature “An American Tail”, what was Fievel’s last name?

Mousekewitz

He Had No Last Name

Mousenstein

Catack

What is the name of the theatrical score that David Byrne wrote in 1981?

The Wedding Song

The Here And Now

The Catherine Wheel

The Keyboardist

What 1984 movie has the characters Noodles, Fat Moe, and Max?

Dick Tracy

Chaplin

JFK

Once Upon A Time In America

Which Beatles song did Britain’s Thompson Twins cover in the mid-1980s?

Mean Mr. Mustard

Yellow Submarine

Strawberry Fields Forever

Revolution

What casual clothing brand did Levi Strauss & Co. introduce in 1986?

Old Navy

Garanimals

Fruit Of The Loom

Dockers

Vanessa Williams was selected Miss America 1984 while representing which U.S. state?

New Jersey

New York

Texas

California

Which group had a novelty hit in 1982 with “Mexican Radio”?

The Jam

Wall Of Voodoo

Jayhawks

Romeo Void

What is the name of the orange ghost in “Ms. Pac-Man”?

Clyde

Sally

Patty

Sue

What game, released in 1989, allowed the player to build a city?

Bakubaku

CityWorlds

Tetris City Streets

Sim City

What fictional planet did Alf come from in the 1980s TV show of the same name?

Mackler

Orf

Melmac

Maglum

What was Madonna’s first top 40 hit?

Material Girl

Like A Virgin

Crazy For You

Holiday

What group did the theme song from James Bond’s “The Living Daylights”?

Duran Duran

A-Ha

Paul McCartney & Wings

ABBA

What was the name of the dog on the children’s show “Fraggle Rock”?

Bowser

Speigal

Sprocket

Alfie

In which 1985 film did Tina Turner appear?

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome

Cocoon

Brewster’s Millions

Pee Wee’s Big Adventure

Who did Bonnie Raitt sing backup for in a 1987 television special?

Bob Dylan

Tom Petty

George Harrison

Roy Orbison

What Bob Seger album won 2 Grammys at the 1981 Grammys?

Like A Rock

Stranger In Town

Against The Wind

Night Moves

Which of the following did not win Best Actor in the 80s?

Robert Duvall

Henry Fonda

Jeremy Irons

Paul Newman

“One Day at a Time” took place in which city?

Indianapolis

Toledo

Kansas City

Des Moines

The video game “Tetris” is what type of game?

Sports

Role Playing

First Person Shooter

Puzzle

What was the name of President Ronald Reagan’s English Sheepdog?

Lucky

Roy

Millie

Fala

Which song was a Number One hit for Tanya Tucker in 1986?

Ridin’ Rainbows

Just Another Love

Spring

Love’s The Answer

Which group sang the hit “I Want Candy”?

The Waitresses

Bow Wow Wow

The Pretenders

The Go-Gos

In which 80’s arcade game might you hear “body blow! body blow!”?

Punch-Out

Tron

Rampage

Berzerk

Who portrayed Sid Vicious in the acclaimed film “Sid and Nancy”?

Tim Roth

Gary Oldman

Alfred Molina

David Thewliss

Who played Dorothy’s student that got deported on “The Golden Girls”?

Mario Lopez

Leonardo DiCaprio

McCauley Culkin

Brendan Frasier

Who played Derek Smalls in “This Is Spinal Tap”?

Harry Shearer

David Lander

Paul Shaffer

Michael McKean

The original 12-inch single of “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell included which classic medley?

Remember Me?

My Girl

I Feel Love

Where Did Our Love Go?

What was the MTV game show hosted by Ken Ober and Colin Quinn?

Name That Video

Singled Out

Remote Control

Idiot Savants

From 1983 to 1984, Desi Arnaz Jr. starred in which ABC TV series?

Desi’s Place

Barefoot In The Park

The Avengers

Automan

Who were the two candidates for President in 1988?

Jason Priestley And Kenny Rogers

Herbert Hoover And Alfred E. Smith

George Bush And Michael Dukakis

Bill Clinton And George Bush

Which exchange introduced the “Small Order Execution System” in 1987?

New York Stock Exchange

Tokyo Stock Exchange

NASDAQ

American Stock Exchange

What did Kenneth G. Wilson of the U.S. win the Nobel Prize for in 1982?

Method Of Creating Peptides

Discovery Of W And Z Particles

Study Of Prostaglandins

Theory Of Phase Transitions

On which TV sitcom was Molly Ringwald a regular?

Webster

The Facts Of Life

Happy Days

Diff’rent Strokes

The 1980 film “Raging Bull” starred which of these actors?

Meryl Streep, Jeremy Irons

Nastassja Kinski, Malcolm McDowell

Barbra Streisand, Mandy Patinkin

Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty

How many members were there in the band Tears For Fears?

5

4

2

3

Who wrote “Liar’s Poker”?

Frank Yablans

Michael Lewis

Bryan Burroughs

James B. Stewart

What actor played Willie Mays Hayes in the 1989 flick, “Major League”?

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Wesley Snipes

Denzel Washington

Charlie Sheen

Which actor formed his production company, Tribeca Productions, in 1989?

Denzel Washington

Robert De Niro

James Caan

Tom Cruise

Who was Walter Mondale’s running mate in the 1984 U.S. Presidential election?

Geraldine Ferraro

Michael Dukakis

Dan Quayle

Hubert Humphrey

Which single of The Bangles feature hieroglyphics on the cover?

Return Post

Walk Like An Egyptian

If She Knew What She Wants

Let It Go

Queen recorded music for which 1980 film and its accompanying soundtrack?

Somewhere In Time

Flash Gordon

Excalibur

Clash Of The Titans

The tagline, “Yule crack up.”, comes from what 1989 movie?

Christmas Vacation

The Arrival

Arachnophobia

Batman & Robin

What was the character’s name played by Robert Redford in “The Natural”?

Roy Hobbs

Roy Savoy

Ray Cone

Hal Holyfield

Billy Joel’s song “My Life” became the theme song for which 1980s sitcom?

Growing Pains

Perfect Strangers

Bosom Buddies

Night Court

What film had Daryl Hannah’s character wooed by a big-nosed fire chief?

Anne

Rosanne

Roxanne

Marianne

Jackson Browne had which hit single in 1983?

Show Me The Way

New Kid In Town/Victim Of Love

Lawyers In Love

Today

The best-selling video in 1985 was?

Jane Fonda’s Workout

Wham! The Video

Gone With The Wind

Raiders Of The Lost Ark

What NBA legend had cameo roles in “Airplane!” and “Fletch”?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Magic Johnson

Michael Jordan

Larry Bird

Which 1984 movie featured Sylvester Stallone singing?

Rocky

Rhinestone

The Contender

Dollywood

In 1988, which band won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance?

Aerosmith

Jethro Tull

AC/DC

Metallica

Who entertained the crowd before the fight in “Rocky 4”?

Hulk Hogan

Mr. T

James Brown

Ray Charles

What was the name of the 1980 album Cyndi Lauper released with her band Blue Angel?

Extrapolate

Doc West

Fusion

Polydor

What fruity-named competitor did The Gap buy in 1983?

Grape-Nuts

Applebee’s

Banana Republic

Orange Julius

What was Molly Ringwald’s character’s name in “Sixteen Candles”?

Sarah

Claire

Molly

Samantha

Whose final screen appearance was in the movie “On Golden Pond”?

Katharine Hepburn

Henry Fonda

Walter Brennan

Jack Lemmon

What candy added red back into its traditional color mix in 1987?

Mr. Goodbar

Nestle’s Crunch

M&M’s

Milk Duds

What Cold War landmark was dismantled on November 11, 1989?

Ipatiev House

Crystal Palace

Berlin Wall

Brandenburg Gate

Which Washington D.C. memorial was dedicated on November 13, 1982?

Vietnam Memorial

Eternal Flame

Lincoln Memorial

Washington Memorial

What yellow dot-eating creature made his arcade debut in 1981?

Sonic

Mario

Q-Bert

Pac Man

What was the top-grossing film of 1987?

Good Morning, Vietnam

Beverly Hills Cop II

Three Men And A Baby

Fatal Attraction

In which city did the TV show “Cheers” take place?

Boston

New York City

Los Angeles

St. Louis

Billy Idol had which hit single in 1987?

Raindrops

Desert Rose

Jealousy

Mony Mony

Lee Horsley played the title role in what 1980s detective series?

Matt Dennis

Matt Lincoln

Matt Houston

Matt Helm

In “The Blues Brothers”, who played a woman trying to kill Jake and Elwood?

Carrie Fisher

Karen Black

Mackenzie Phillips

Susan Strasberg

Which 80’s star got married on the first season of “The Surreal Life”?

Richard Benjamin

Judd Nelson

Corey Feldman

Corey Haim

The theme for “Miami Vice” was written and composed by whom?

Gary Numan

Pseudo Echo

Herbie Hancock

Jan Hammer

Men Without Hats was a synth-pop band from which nation?

Belgium

Canada

Holland

Sweden

What is the name of the Simple Minds song that appeared in the movie “The Breakfast Club”?

Alive & Kicking

Don’t You (Forget About Me)

Waterfront

Sanctify Yourself

You can do better

Not bad

Great!

Responsible for researching, crafting, and publishing captivating trivia quizzes online. He meticulously fact-checks questions to ensure accuracy and maintains high standards of spelling and grammar throughout the trivia content.

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