About This Quiz
The 1980s were an extra special decade filled with new music, heated political discussions and (of course) some of the best movies ever produced. From high school stereotypes to the golden age of the slasher film, '80s movies gave us some of the most memorable plots and memorable characters. And these characters had love stories that you wouldn't believe ... by which we mean they were totally unrealistic storylines, but we loved them anyway, and we still love them. While it wasn't necessarily the right message, the 1980s taught us that love was always right in front of our eyes, and you could get the girl (or the guy) of your dreams if you were just persistent enough and convinced them that it worked. These days, there is a fine line between persistence and creepiness, but back then, persistence was fruitful.ÂÂ
While many think of 1980s couples as those in John Hughes films, every genre gave us a couple that we loved to see interact with each other. From horror to comedy to science fiction, the couples of the 1980s were mainly wholesome with a dash of real, and when they argued, we laughed. If you're an '80s movie buff, take this quiz to see if you can name these 40 movie couples from the decade.
If you're looking for a girl who will hop in your friend's car and go to the future with you without question, Jessica is the one you are looking for. Luckily, Marty McFly found her and life was good in the "Back to the Future" world.
In "Star Wars Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back" (1980), we learn quickly that Han Solo and Leia are in the middle of something more than a screaming match. Though they are constantly bickering, the audience can clearly see that they have feelings for each other.
"Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) was a pretty intense movie if you knew what you were watching. It was fun for the kids, but there was a lot of adult humor involved. Remember a PG rating in the '80s was closer to an R rating these days.
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Though we have yet to see her in "Cobra Kai" (2018), Ali was an excellent character. She was strong-willed and did what she pleased. She was caring and ready to help. Her relationship with Daniel led to a lot of problems.
"Coming to America" (1988) showed the range of comedian Eddie Murphy. He played multiple characters and delivered an interesting performance that was both hilarious and dramatic, and the forbidden love story completed the movie.
In a memorable scene that has been parodied time and again, Meg Ryan orders a salad. This movie is about love and loss and change and realizing that no one is perfect, but there is someone out there who is perfect for you.
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Though "Beetlejuice" (1988) isn't technically a love story, we can see Barbara and Adam as a happily married couple through life and death. They have to work together to understand how to be dead and what to do from there.
When everyone you know forgets what you consider your most important birthday, what are you to do? Simply fantasizing about the hunk in your class won't do it. Andie does what she can and is pretty strong throughout the entire situation.
"Dirty Dancing" (1987) is thought to be one of the greatest love stories of all time, but when you really break it down to what it is, it's about a summer fling between two people from opposite sides of the tracks. It's still amazing, of course.
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"The Breakfast Club" (1985) had a character for everyone. It even went so far as to separate the nerds from the basket cases. While we love to watch this movie, we can't help but wonder what is going to happen at school the next day.
Alright, we all know that it's kind of stupid to sell your soul to get some legs so you can attract a dude, but "The Little Mermaid" (1989) still holds up in the Disney Classic category. She tries to get Eric to fall in love without talking, which is possible, but a little more difficult.
"Splash" (1984) is the story of a young boy who almost drowns, but is saved by a mermaid. Some years later, he meets that mermaid (who now has legs), and falls in love with her (not knowing that she's the same mermaid).
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The Griswalds graced the big screen several times over the years, and to see Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo play Clark and Ellen is always a delight. They are an honest couple who doesn't mind telling each other what's on their minds.
Desperate times call for desperate measures as an out-of-work engineer takes on the role of househusband in the classic movie "Mr. Mom" (1983). These days, the movie would just be called "Jack," because gender stereotypes are heading out the window.
Ferris Bueller will do anything to skip school. However, he can't really enjoy his day off without getting his girlfriend and best friend involved. Of course, he gets her out of school in the most terrifying way possible.
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While it is an odd scene about a drunk girl and a teenage boy, it is clear that these two end up together at the end of "Sixteen Candles" (1984). Caroline even thanks Ted for treating her so gently.
"An Officer and a Gentleman" was a love story that attracted both men and women. It was a tough military story, but an interesting love story. You'd never know that the actors involved did not like each other at all.
"Mannequin" (1987) was a movie that got a little weird, but it knew it. A man meets a store mannequin who comes to life. He promptly falls in love with her, but no one else can see her in motion.
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We always want our loved ones to support us, and when Nick supports Alex, our hearts are just happier. "Flashdance" (1983) was a wildly popular film that mixed everything the '80s needed: dancing, love and drama.
Think back to the first time you saw "Pretty in Pink" (1986). You may have thought that Andie and Ducky were destined for each other because it fit the formula. However, in the end, Andie and Blane end up together, even though they're from opposite ends of the social spectrum.
What happens when a romance writer and a mercenary get together to save a woman (the writer's sister). Love happens, and "Romancing the Stone" (1984) delivers an interesting relationship between the two.
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In "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981), we see some steamy moments between Marion and Indiana Jones. While we generally watch any "Indiana Jones" movie for the fun and adventure, we'll take a few hot and heavy moments with this one.
"The Great Outdoors" (1988) is one of those movies that you just want to watch over and over. While it doesn't have a deep plotline, it does give scene after scene of entertainment, and as you watch, you see that Chet and Connie are deeply in love.
"Moonstruck" (1987) is a story with a love triangle that involves two brothers and the woman who loves them both. This movie is all about choosing love over duty ... and the weird conversations that come with that.
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Not only do these two have minor arguments that every couple would understand, they work as a team to survive until the end. In this epic slasher film, there might not be much love to share, but when you really think about it, love always comes from chaos.
While "She's Having a Baby" (1988) wasn't a box office smash, it did bring up some important topics that many John Hughes movies in the past completely denied: What happens after the happily ever after feeling disappears?
Though it's not the best love story, we do get one of the most passionate love scenes in '80s movie history. Not only do people love "Top Gun" (1986), they can't help but re-watch it time and again to see the love story.
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While they don't stay together (as we learn in the second movie), these two are clearly from different worlds, but when Peter helps save the world, they come together in a big kiss at the end.
"Spaceballs" (1987) is a parody of the "Star Wars" franchise. Not only did we get to see some of our favorite characters re-imagined, we got the genius of Mel Brooks to go along with it.
"The Breakfast Club" (1985) was considered one of the best '80s teen movies. It has two love stories with people who you might not think should end up together, but in the end, we learn that clique stereotypes mean nothing.
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Fantasy movies were nothing new in the 1980s, but fantasy comedies were pretty cutting edge. "The Princess Bride" (1987) showed us that true love exists and that giants are just plain awesome.
When it comes to interesting situations in movies, "Overboard" (1987) shows us that it's totally cool to kidnap and enslave a rich woman, as long as the two of you fall in love later.
We all know (and most of us knew) that Bruce Wayne was supposed to be a billionaire playboy (or at least make it look like he was). Instead, in the 1989 rendition of "Batman" we see him as cool, calm, collected and interested in a reporter.
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"Bull Durham" (1988) was a movie about a minor league baseball team. Every year, Annie picks out a young star to "help" get to the show. Of course, when she meets Crash, passion ensues, and we love watching their relationship bloom.
What happens when dancing is against the law in a small town? Break the law, duh! We aren't sure how weddings were even fun back then, but when Kevin Bacon starts to dance, life changes for everyone.
If you haven't seen "Better Off Dead" (1985), it's time for you to go back to your '80s library and see just what love really is. When a foreign exchange student meets a recently single high schooler, everything changes for him.
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"Heathers" (1988) wasn't your average teen movie of the time. There were deadly moments, and some pretty terrible things had to happen. It did encompass what it is like to live in a clique-based high school, though.
"Can't Buy Me Love" (1987) is about a young boy with money to burn. He helps a girl get out of a $1,000 jam, and in exchange asks her to act as though they're dating for an entire month. Obviously, she falls in love with him.
"Trading Places" (1983) really opened a lot of eyes in the business world. Sometimes, it didn't matter where you came from, as long as you knew people. And no one knew people better than Ophelia. She helps Louis get his life back.
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"Some Kind of Wonderful" (1987) was a typical "love is right in front of your eyes" movie, where you watch a character completely deny the fact that his or her best friend is the one they love. We are happy to see these two end up together.