About This Quiz
If you grew up in the 1980s, you probably believe the decade produced the greatest assortment of movies, beating out other decades by a long shot. It's hard to argue against that point, too. After all, the '80s gave us everything from witty teen dramas to terrifying horror films to action-packed thrillers. It was definitely a good time for moviegoers.Â
The 1980s also launched the careers of some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Actors and actresses whose popularity rose significantly throughout the '80s include Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Molly Ringwald, Winona Ryder and many others. These performers helped to define cinema in the 1980s through their brilliant performances.Â
Of course, directors also played a part in making '80s movies so great. Star directors like Steven Spielberg, Wes Craven, Amy Heckerling, John Hughes and Clint Eastwood all produced outstanding films throughout the decade, and most of their films still appeal to audiences today.Â
How well do you know all of these movies from the '80s, though? If we give you an image, can you name the movies in this quiz? Here's your chance to find out. When you're ready, get started and go down memory lane with this '80s movies quiz!Â
"Stand by Me" was titled based on a song of the same name by Ben E. King. The song has been performed by various artists since its release and has hit the top of numerous lists over the years.
"The Breakfast Club" starred child actors Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy. They became known as the "Brat Pack," a name given to a group of child stars in a film.
At the age of 29, Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He has since become an advocate for finding a cure for the disease.
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If Arnold Schwarzenegger wasn't a star before, he certainly made a name for himself after the release of "The Terminator." He would go on to become an action movie icon in the late '80s and '90s.
The story for "The Goonies" was developed by Steven Spielberg. However, he handed over scriptwriting responsibilities to Chris Columbus, who would later direct such films as "Home Alone" and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
When "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" was released it quickly became the highest-grossing film of all-time. It would hold that position until "Jurassic Park" was released in 1993.
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The first three Star Wars movies are usually regarded as the best trilogy in the entire series by the most loyal Star Wars fans. Not to mention, "The Empire Strikes Back" is ​famous for the reveal that Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker's father.
"Ghostbusters" was originally supposed to star John Belushi. However, Belushi died from a drug overdose prior to the film's production.
Director John Hughes used "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" as a love letter to Chicago, which is where it was filmed. The movie includes famous Chicago buildings such as Sears Tower and the Art Institute of Chicago.
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"Scarface" was written by the American filmmaker Oliver Stone. Stone is famous for notable films such as "Heaven & Earth" and "Wall Street," along with many others.
Clint Eastwood was once involved in a plane crash off the coast of California. The Hollywood icon survived by swimming a few miles to shore.
"Top Gun" took some time to catch on with fans, but it eventually had major commercial success. In 2013, the film was re-released in 3-D.
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"Raiders of the Lost Ark" started the Indiana Jones' franchise. The 1980s would see the release of two more Indiana Jones' movies, both starring Harrison Ford.
"The Shining" is based on a 1977 novel by Steven King. A major success, it was only the third novel King had published.
Directed by John Hughes, "Sixteen Candles" starred the famous young actress Molly Ringwald. Ringwald worked with Hughes on two other films, "The Breakfast Club" and "Pretty in Pink."
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"Pretty in Pink" became well-known for its soundtrack. The movie helped popularize songs like "If You Leave" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and "Shellshock" by New Order.
"Beetlejuice" helped launch the career of Winona Ryder who was a teenager at the time. She would go on to star in films like "Heathers" and "The Age of Innocence."
"Die Hard" was one of the first serious roles for Bruce Willis. Before the performance, Willis was mainly known for comedy television.
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Pat Marita, who played Mr. Miyagi, received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film. The award instead went to Haing S. Ngor who played Dith Pran in "The Killing Fields."
Starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, "Rain Man" received a slew of awards. At the Academy Awards, the film won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director and Best Actor in a Leading Role.
"Blade Runner" was praised for brilliantly merging science fiction with neo-noir. The film received a sequel 25 years later called "Blade Runner 2049."
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One of the greatest comedies of the '80s, "Beverly Hills Cops" signaled the arrival of Eddie Murphy as a film star. However, Sylvester Stallone was originally chosen to star in the film, but he wanted to turn it into a pure action movie.
"The Lost Boys" starred Corey Haim and Corey Feldman. Both stars would later be part of a reality show known as "The Two Coreys." The show depicted both actors' struggle with life after being child stars.
Daniel Day-Lewis has become famous for staying in character even when the cameras stop filming. His method of acting as garnered recognition in films like "There Will Be Blood" and "Gangs of New York" just to name a few.
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"Who Goes There?" was a 1938 science fiction novel written by John W. Campbell Jr. Since the novel's publication, three films have been made based on the storyline.
Patrick Swayze, the star of "Dirty Dancing," rose to fame in the 1980s where he typically played romantic lead males. In 1991, he was named the Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine.
"Aliens" went from a single film to a movie franchise with productions in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. The original film was written and directed by James Cameron who is probably best known for "Titanic."
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"Sophie's Choice" started as a 1979 novel written by William Styron. The film and book depict the harsh reality of Nazi Germany during WWII.
"Coming to America" received recognition at the Academy Awards for behind the camera work. The film was nominated for Best Makeup and Best Costume Design.
"A Christmas Story" is one of the most famous Christmas films of all-time. Typically, TNT airs the film for 24 hours over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
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Two additional Poltergeist films were released in the 1980s. The three films have become cult classics and are highly regarded by critics of the horror genre.
Though it wasn't his first role, "Big" helped launch the career of Tom Hanks, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Hanks would later win the award in two separate films, "Philadelphia" and "Forrest Gump."
Robert Redford had major success in his first trial as a director. "Ordinary People" won four Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.
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When "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" was released in 1988, it was the highest budget film ever made. However, it was topped three years later by "Terminator 2: Judgement Day."
"Caddyshack" included legendary comedians who were known for their improv skills. To utilize the comedians to their fullest, some of the scenes in the movie were improvised.
Several other actors were supposed to play the main male character Ren before the role was given to Kevin Bacon. Some of the names who had to pass on the role were Tom Cruise and Christopher Atkins.
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Andre the Giant was known as a heavy drinker, and friends of the wrestler claimed he once drank over 100 beers in one night. Supposedly, he also showed up drunk to set on "The Princess Bride" quite a few times.
"The Last Emperor" is a biographical film about the last Emperor of China, Puyi. Even as emperor, Puyi was used largely as a puppet by other leaders across China and Japan.
Amy Heckerling made her directorial debut on a feature film with "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." She was selected after directing a short film called "Getting it Over With."
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