Can You Guess These 1980s Movies From an Image?

By: Gavin Thagard
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Guess These 1980s Movies From an Image?
Image: Paramount Pictures

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. 

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. 

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. 

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! 

Stand By Me This '80s coming-of-age story follows four boys looking for a dead body. What movie is it?
Sixteen Candles
Return to Oz
Steel Magnolias
Stand by Me
"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.

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The Breakfast Club Added to the U.S. National Film Registry in 2016, which '80s movie is this?
Highlander
Spaceballs
The Breakfast Club
"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.
Revenge of the Nerds

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Back to the Future Starring Michael J. Fox, which movie is this from the 1980s?
Back to the Future
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.
Willow
Real Genius
Mystic Pizza

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The Terminator The famous line "I'll be back" comes from this '80s movie. What movie is it?
The Last Starfighter
The Terminator
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.
Better Off Dead
The Untouchables

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The Goonies In an '80s comedy about kids trying to find a lost pirate treasure, what movie is this?
The Goonies
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."
Scanners
Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure
Baby Boom

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E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Directed by Steven Spielberg, what 1980s science fiction movie is this?
Adventures in Babysitting
UHF
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
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.
Scanners

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The Empire Strikes Back Part two of an iconic trilogy that eventually expanded into a franchise, which movie is this from the 1980s?
Highlander
Tron
Flight of the Navigator
The Empire Strikes Back
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.

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Ghostbusters A comedy about the supernatural, what '80s movie is this?
Stripes
Ghostbusters
"Ghostbusters" was originally supposed to star John Belushi. However, Belushi died from a drug overdose prior to the film's production.
Labyrinth
Commando

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Ferris Bueller's Day Off The lead character speaks directly to his audience in this '80s classic. What movie is it?
Field of Dreams
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
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.
The Karate Kid
Tootsie

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Scarface Al Pacino plays a drug lord in this crime drama. What movie is it?
Time Bandits
My Life as a Dog
Scarface
"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.
WarGames

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Pale Rider Clint Eastwood both starred in and directed this '80s western. What is it?
Pale Rider
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.
Silverado
Young Guns
Tom Horn

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Top Gun A film that won an Academy Award for Best Original Song, which '80s movie is this?
WarGames
Moonstruck
A Fish Called Wanda
Top Gun
"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 Following an archaeologist who battles Nazis, what movie is this from the 1980s?
Das Boot
Lost in America
Ran
Raiders of the Lost Ark
"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.

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The Shining This '80s horror film stars Jack Nicholson. What film is it?
Hellraiser
The Evil Dead
The Shining
"The Shining" is based on a 1977 novel by Steven King. A major success, it was only the third novel King had published.
The Fly

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Sixteen Candles A comedy film released in 1984, what movie is this?
Sixteen Candles
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."
Body Heat
Blue Velvet
After Hours

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Pretty in Pink A story following the ins and outs of high school, what '80s movie is this?
Krush Groove
Pretty in Pink
"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.
Weird Science
Short Circuit

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Beetlejuice You can summon the ghost from this 1980s movie by saying his name three times. What movie is it?
Friday the 13th
Highlander
Beetlejuice
"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."
Spaceballs

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Die Hard In this '80s action movie, a policeman must save hostages from a group of terrorists on Chrismas Eve. What's the movie?
Willow
Die Hard
"Die Hard" was one of the first serious roles for Bruce Willis. Before the performance, Willis was mainly known for comedy television.
Real Genius
The Last Starfighter

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The Karate Kid This film emphasizes the importance of catching a fly. What movie is it?
Adventures in Babysitting
Baby Boom
Scanners
The Karate Kid
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."

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Rain Man This 1988 film won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. What move is it?
The Untouchables
Rain Man
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.
Lost in America
Ran

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Blade Runner A science fiction film from 1982 starring Harrison Ford, which movie is this?
Blade Runner
"Blade Runner" was praised for brilliantly merging science fiction with neo-noir. The film received a sequel 25 years later called "Blade Runner 2049."
Escape from New York
Body Heat
Repo Man

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Beverly Hills Cop The first in a series of comedy films, what '80s movie is this?
Lethal Weapon
After Hours
National Lampoon's Vacation
Beverly Hills Cop
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.

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The Lost Boys Two brothers fight a gang of vampires in which of these '80s movies?
Gremlins
Grave of the Fireflies
The Lost Boys
"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.
Blue Velvet

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My Left Foot Daniel Day-Lewis won an Oscar for his performance in this movie. Which movie is it?
My Left Foot
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.
Ran
Goodbye, Children
Risky Business

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The Thing Based on a novel from 1938, which '80s horror movie is this?
Heathers
The Neverending Story
Predator
The Thing
"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.

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Dirty Dancing Dance brings two lovers together in this film. What is it?
Flashdance
Breakin'
Dirty Dancing
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.
Fame

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Aliens An '80s action horror film directed by James Cameron, what movie is this?
Predator
Aliens
"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."
Raging Bull
Tron

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Sophie's Choice Meryl Streep made viewers cry on her way to an Oscar in this film. What is it?
The Color Purple
Wall Street
Working Girl
Sophie's Choice
"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.

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Coming to America Eddie Murphy plays an African prince in this '80s comedy. What is it?
Coming to America
"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.
Stripes
Field of Dreams
Time Bandits

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A Christmas Story A classic '80s comedy to watch during the holidays, what movie is this?
Scrooged
A Christmas Story
"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.
Santa Claus: The Movie
Prancer

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Poltergeist A television talks in which of these '80s films?
Dragonslayer
Ran
Poltergeist
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.
A Fish Called Wanda

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Big A kid wakes up as an adult in this film. What is it?
When Harry Met Sally
Terms of Endearment
Big
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."
Field of Dreams

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Ordinary People The first film directed by Robert Redford, what '80s movie is this?
Ran
Time Bandits
Paris, Texas
Ordinary People
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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Who Framed Roger Rabbit A film that forges real with fantasy, what movie is this from the 1980s?
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
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."
Moonstruck
WarGames
My Life as a Dog

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Caddyshack Comedy legends Bill Murray and Chevy Chase played in which of these '80s films together?
Airplane!
Caddyshack
"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.
Revenge of the Nerds
Heathers

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Footloose Rock music and dancing disturb a small town in which of these movies from the 1980s?
Fame
Footloose
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.
White Nights
Tap

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The Princess Bride This '80s film features the legendary wrestler Andre the Giant. What movie is it?
Krush Groove
Short Circuit
Highlander
The Princess Bride
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.

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The Last Emperor Bernardo Bertolucci won an Academy Award for Best Director on this '80s movie. What is it?
The Last Emperor
"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.
The Toxic Avenger
Willow
The Last Starfighter

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Fast Times at Ridgemont High Based on a book by the same title, what '80s comedy movie is this?
Weird Science
Spaceballs
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
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."
Porky's

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