About This Quiz
Think you are a true 1980s film buff? The 1980s was a fascinating decade for art of all kinds, but especially mainstream music and film. During the 1980s movies focusing on young people, particularly high schoolers, blew up in a huge way. John Hughes teen comedy films like "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "The Breakfast Club" set the standard for movies about teens for decades to come.
Many films of the 1980s would become entire franchises, which was something largely new at that time. Critical and commercial smashes put dancing, sci-fi and horror on the map for a whole generation of filmgoers. Whether you wanted to laugh, cry or be terrified, or if you just really loved robots, the '80s definitely has a film for that.
Special effects really took off in the 1980s, with the birth of the Terminator franchise making for some of the most iconic films out there. Eddie Murphy was at his comedic height and Tom Cruise was one of the biggest movie stars on Earth. Rom-coms were some of the most beloved films out there.
If you are a true '80s movie buff, then see if you can place some of the most iconic film quotes of the decade with this cinematic throwback quiz!
This 1985 time travel film was an instant hit. It was the highest-grossing film of 1985.
1987's "The Princess Bride" is a cult favorite. It blends classic fairytales with wry and self-aware humor.
This 1987 buddy cop action film stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. It grossed over $120 million and spawned a franchise.
Advertisement
This 1987 romantic drama dance film was a huge hit. Since its release it has earned more than 200 million worldwide and was the first film to sell more than a million copies on home video.
1984's "The Terminator" was the breakthrough film for filmmaker James Cameron. This popular and well-reviewed film was the beginning of a long-running franchise.
"The Karate Kid" was one of the most popular films of 1984. This classic underdog tale spawned a franchise.
Advertisement
This 1983 film received negative reviews at first, but has come to be considered a cult classic and one of the best crime films ever made. It has been a highly referenced part of pop culture for decades.
This 1982 film was an instant classic. It was directed and produced by Steven Spielberg.
"Mommie Dearest" is a 1981 film. A cult classic melodrama, it shows how actress Joan Crawford allegedly abused her adopted children.
Advertisement
"The Shining" is a 1980 horror classic directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Jack Nicholson. It is based on the novel by Stephen King.
This 1980 comedy was one of the most expensive comedies ever produced. It featured a car chase through a shopping mall that clocked in $25 million just on its own.
1980's "Airplane!" is arguably one of the most endlessly quotable comedies of all time. In it, a man afraid of flying must land a plane full of colorful characters when disaster strikes.
Advertisement
This 1989 drama film stars Robin Williams as an English teacher who inspires his teen students using poetry. This critically acclaimed film earned more than $200 million at the box office.
1980's "Caddyshack" is one of the most famous films of the decade. In the film, shenanigans ensue on an exclusive golf course full of some of the funniest people ever on film.
This acclaimed 1980 film was directed by cult favorite director David Lynch. In it the inner life of a disfigured man working as a sideshow attraction is explored.
Advertisement
"Body Heat" was a 1981 neo-noir film. In it, a woman manipulates her lover into killing her rich husband.
This 1981 classic comedy was created by Mel Brooks. It riffs on various periods throughout history.
1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" was the first installment of the Indiana Jones film franchise. It was one of the highest-grossing films of the year, won multiple Oscars, and is widely considered to be one of the best films ever made.
Advertisement
"Poltergeist" is a 1982 horror classic with a cult following. In it, a family's home is invaded by malevolent spirits.
This 1982 film is considered by many to be the best in the "Star Trek" franchise. It was the first film ever to have a sequence created entirely with computer-generated graphics.
"Flashdance" was a 1983 romantic drama film. It made dance films and fashion a trend that lasted throughout the 1980s and '90s.
Advertisement
This 1984 film was an irresistible mix of comedy and horror. It earned over $200 million at the box office and became a media franchise.
1984's "This Is Spinal Tap" is one of the most iconic mockumentaries of all time. It follows a fictional heavy metal band, portrayed by actors who mostly ad-libbed a hilarious film.
"Blue Velvet" was a 1986 neo-noir written and directed by David Lynch. While it was controversial amongst critics at first, it cemented Lynch as a cult icon and is considered to be one of the best films of the 1980s.
Advertisement
This 1986 teen classic was written and directed by John Hughes. This acclaimed film was one of the highest grossing of 1986.
This 1986 body horror sci-fi film was directed and co-written by David Cronenberg. This tale of an eccentric scientist's experiment gone terribly wrong in known for its special effects.
This 1986 film launched an entire franchise. It also inspired a cult following.
Advertisement
This 1987 film was the highest-grossing film of the year worldwide. It follows a married man who has a weekend affair that quickly turns dark as the woman becomes obsessed with him.
"Hellraiser" is a 1987 horror classic. It's haunting gore and pleasure-obsessed villain has become a horror icon who featured in many of the film's nine sequels.
In this 1987 teen horror comedy, two brothers fight a gang of young vampires. This film is generally considered flawed, but an enjoyable watch that helped to shape the modern vampire genre.
Advertisement
In 1982's "Rocky III," Sylvester Stallone faces off against Mr. T. "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor was the theme song of this movie and became a smash hit.
1987's "Raising Arizona" is a Coen Brothers film starring Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter. It's a quirky crime comedy film that got mixed reviews.
"Wall Street" is a 1987 drama film. It stars Michael Douglas in the iconic and Oscar-winning role of Gordon Gekko, a ruthless corporate raider.
Advertisement
"They Live" is a 1988 sci-fi horror film directed by horror legend John Carpenter. This cult film is known for its alien conspiracy themes, quotability and famous alley fight scene.
This 1988 film is famous for portraying a late 1940s Hollywood where animated characters and real-life people co-exist. This blockbuster film made more than $300 million at the box office.