Only Older Millennials and Gen-X Can Ace This ’90s vs. ’00s Quiz

By: Lauren Lubas
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Only Older Millennials and Gen-X Can Ace This ’90s vs. ’00s Quiz
Image: Jive

About This Quiz

Let's go back to the good ol' days when Backstreet came back ... from a six-month hiatus. It was a time of very thin eyebrows and boy band overload. Disney stars consumed pop culture and we loved every second of it. The 1990s and 2000s gave us some of the best fashion to make fun of, some of the most interesting musical trends and some of the most cutting-edge movies around. If you grew up during this time, you were immersed in this pop culture boom and consumed it regularly. Even if you didn't like it, it was always there for you to hear, see and experience. Chances are, you don't mind taking this step back in time to see just what was cool back in your day.

If you're a Millennial or a Gen-Xer, you had the luxury of watching pop culture evolve into an interesting creature that pretty much took over the world, but now it's time to see how much you remember from back then. We found 40 of the "coolest" things from the '90s and '00s, and we want to see how much you know and remember from back then. Take this quiz to learn just how well you know your generation's touchstones. 

Friends
NBC
As long as you didn't live under a rock in the '90s and '00s, you know this show. What is it?
"House"
"Seinfeld"
"Friends"
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you didn't watch "Friends" when you were younger, chances are you watched it in syndication. Additionally, it's difficult to get through a conversation with a fan without hearing at least one reference to the hit show.

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Britney Spears
Jive
Do you know which singer was known as the Princess of Pop?
Christina Aguilera
Mia
Monica
Britney Spears
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although Britney Spears went through a hard time in the mid-2000s, she was once at the top of the pop charts, changing the lives of those around her. However, having to maintain the perfect princess persona really got to her.

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The Spice Girls
Virgin
Do you remember this girl power band?
Indigo Girls
Dream
The Spice Girls
En Vogue
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Spice Girls took over American airwaves in the late 1990s. People loved their style, their attitude, and most of all, their music. These pop stars took over the world for a short period, but it was memorable nonetheless.

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Clueless
Paramount Pictures
As if you could ever forget, what movie is about the lives of high-class teens in the '90s?
"Mean Girls"
"Ruthless"
"Clueless"
"Can't Hardly Wait"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alicia Silverstone was a staple of the mid-1990s. Her most iconic character Cher Horowitz showed that people could care and work harder to help each other, no matter where they came from or how they got to where they are now.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The WB / UPN
This dark high school drama series kicked off the vampire craze. What is the name of the show?
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
"The Others"
"The Originals"
"The Vampire Diaries"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though there was a popular movie that came out before the TV show, everyone remembers Sarah Michelle Gellar starring as the teen who had to balance school work and killing vamps all at the same time.

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Nirvana
DGC
This '90s band brought grunge to a new level and was worshiped for decades after their lead singer's untimely death. Who are they?
Green Day
Nirvana
Alice in Chains
Pearl Jam
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kurt Cobain was the lead singer of the popular grunge band, Nirvana. They were the voice of an entire generation. Even those who grew up in the late '90s know about this band and how it changed the world.

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Austin Powers
New Line Productions / Capella International / Moving Pictures / Eric's Boy / KC Medien
Mike Myers stared as an international spy in what series of films from the late 1990s to the early 2000s?
"James Bond"
"Secret Spies"
"British Spies"
"Austin Powers"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Austin Powers" series began in 1997, shedding light on the ridiculousness of what villains in 1970s spy movies actually wanted. Not only were these movies over the top, but they were also pretty hilarious.

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Maroon 5
Octone
Adam Levine fronts this band that made it big in 2002. Do you know the name of the band?
The White Stripes
The Concordes
V
Maroon 5
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Maroon 5 burst onto the scene with a new sound that no one had ever heard. It was hard to turn on the radio and not hear a song from "Songs About Jane" — "This Love," "She Will Be Loved," "Harder to Breath" and "Sunday Morning" were all on heavy rotation.

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Eminem
Aftermath / Shady / Interscope
In 1998, he hit the scene and gave new life to the rap world. Who is he?
Dr. Dre
Snoop Dogg
Lil' Troy
Eminem
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Eminem got a lot of push back from every angle. Most in the industry didn't like his look or the color of his skin, while those in the FCC hated his lyrics and the message they misinterpreted. Ultimately, he's the kind of musician that persevered.

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Lindsay Lohan
Walt Disney Pictures
In 1998, Disney remade "The Parent Trap" starring which young actress?
Lindsay Lohan
Mary Kate Olsen
Danielle Fishel
Jessica Alba
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though many clearly remember the breakdown and descent of Lindsay Lohan, others like to remember her phenomenal acting skills before Hollywood took over. She played the roles of both twins in this remake.

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Bring It On
Beacon Pictures
Do you remember this film that starred Kirsten Dunst?
"Shout Out Loud"
"Bring It On"
"Stomp The Yard"
"Hierarchy"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Teen girls didn't need to be cheerleaders to appreciate the first installment of the "Bring It On" series. There was something so amazing about watching competitions that required choreography and drama.

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Smashmouth
Interscope
Hey now, can you name this band that ruled the airwaves with an alternative rock-pop mix?
Smashmouth
The Goo Goo Dolls
Savage Garden
Ace of Base
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Smashmouth was the kind of band that could produce catchy songs with deeper meanings. However, their most popular songs were cultural commentaries on the clothing and social norms of the time.

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Missy Elliott
The Goldmind / Elektra
Who is this rap star that broke out in the late '90s?
Brandy
Missy Elliott
Toni Braxton
The Rain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Missy Elliot was well-known as one of the most powerful women in the rap world. Not only did she dismiss haters, but she also gave women the tools they needed to gain confidence and be strong even in the toughest situations.

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LFO
Arista
Which band liked girls who wore Abercrombie and Fitch?
*NSYNC
LFO
The Backstreet Boys
B*Witched
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Of all the one-hit wonders that came around in the '90s and '00s, people probably remember this summer song better than most. It's no wonder they didn't last long; they don't even eat Chinese food.

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Napoleon Dynamite
MTV Films / Napoleon Pictures / Access Films
This became one of the most memorable indie films of the early '00s. What is it called?
"Superbad"
"Napoleon Dynamite"
"Charlie Bartlett"
"Angus"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Napoleon Dynamite" changed comedy forever. It no longer had to be bold and full of monologues. It was now cool to have a comedy that mimicked life in a way that was slow and intelligent at the same time.

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American Chopper
Discovery Channel / TLC
The early 2000s were the golden age of reality TV; do you recognize this show?
"Pawn Stars"
"American Chopper"
"American Pickers"
"Pimp My Ride"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There was something about a business where the owners constantly bickered and fought with each other that attracted viewers from all backgrounds. "American Chopper" gave people exactly what they wanted when they needed it.

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Hollaback Girl
Interscope
In 2004, Gwen Stefani of No Doubt released this song and music video that changed her image completely. What is the name of the song?
"Move Your Feet"
"The Sweet Escape"
"Hollaback Girl"
"Rich Girl"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In "Hollaback Girl" (2004), we learn how to spell bananas, but we also learn how to tell a guy to stop using us. It was a girl-power song that brought a lot of great messages and dance moves to young women.

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Miley Cyrus
Disney Channel
Do you remember this artist who started off on the Disney Channel?
Britney Spears
Christina Aguilera
Rihanna
Miley Cyrus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though Miley Cyrus seemed as though she was going down the same path as most Mouseketeers, her transition shocked us all as she never stopped making music. She became a wild child, but her fans absolutely loved it.

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Amanda Bynes
Di Novi Pictures / Gaylord Films / Gerber Pictures
Can you name this star who made it big at the turn of the century in movies and on TV?
Lindsay Lohan
Martha Richards
Kirsten Dunst
Amanda Bynes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

She was America's sweetheart before her meltdown made her nearly unemployable in Hollywood. She was adorable and could be seen on TV and in movies teens loved, like "What a Girl Wants."

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Dawson's Creek
The WB
Parents were a little turned off when this 1998 teen drama started talking about major issues. What was it called?
"Buffy The Vampire Slayer"
"Teens"
"Dawson's Creek"
"Glee"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Dawson's Creek" didn't shy away from talking about the toughest topics that teens faced in the late 1990s. From teen pregnancy to losing your virginity, many learned a thing or two about the struggles of teen life from this show.

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Hips Don't Lie
Epic / Sony
This Shakira song made you want to belly dance in 2005. What was it called?
"Hips Don't Lie"
"Shakira Shakira"
"I'm On Tonight"
"Let's Go"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While many argued that Shakira's voice wasn't their favorite thing on Earth, no one could deny that the woman could dance, and she could dance well. Her body moved in ways we hadn't seen in quite some time.

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Charmed
The WB
From 1998 to 2006, this show brought magic into our lives. What was it called?
"The Librarians"
"Buffy The Vampire Slayer"
"The Originals"
"Charmed"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Charmed" was a mix between a supernatural drama and a daytime soap opera. It included three sisters who had magical powers living together and fighting (or falling in love) with demons.

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Aaliyah
Blackground / Virgin
Her death shocked her fans. Do you know who she is?
Alicia
Aaliyah
T-Boz
Mariah Carey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2001, up and coming artist Aaliyah tragically died in an airplane accident. Most people believed that she was the next diva to sweep the nation, but unfortunately, her time ended before she made it that big.

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Livin' la Vida Loca
Columbia
Can you name this dance song by Ricky Martin, which was very popular in 1999?
"Livin' la Vida Loca"
"Macarena"
"Back at One"
"So Anxious"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ricky Martin was a hot item at the turn of the century. He could dance and sing and get others to dance and sing with him. His music is still used in films and television, and it's also still stuck in our heads.

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The Hot Chick
Touchstone Pictures / Happy Madison
Switching bodies in movies wasn't unheard of in 2002, but can you name this movie where it happens?
"She's All That"
"Saved!"
"The Hot Chick"
"It's a Boy Girl Thing"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The movie stars Rob Schneider as Clive, who switches bodies with a mean girl who is the queen of her school. Chaos and comedy are all that follow as the two try to figure out how to fix their lives and become better people.

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The Lord of the Rings
New Line Cinema / WingNut Films
This trilogy changed movies forever. What was it?
"Harry Potter"
"Mystic River"
"The Lord of the Rings"
"Austin Powers"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The Lord of the Rings" series turned even the coolest people into fanboys. Audiences couldn't get enough of the spectacular special effects and the intense battle scenes. It brought in more money than anyone ever thought it would.

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Lauryn Hill
Ruffhouse / Columbia
Her voice owned '90s R&B. Who is she?
Brandy
Erykah Badu
Lauryn Hill
Monica
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lauryn Hill made her first mainstream appearance with the band The Fugees. The group created R&B that people wanted to listen to and loved to hear. She later started a solo career, but her work is well-remembered in many circles.

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NSYNC
Access via YouTube
Boy bands were all the rage in the '90s and '00s. Can you name this one?
*NSYNC
The Backstreet Boys
98 Degrees
LFO
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With popular songs like "Bye Bye Bye" and "It's Gonna Be Me," *NSYNC was the kind of band that young girls flocked to in hopes of getting a glimpse at the attractive young men who sang and danced around the stage.

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Not Another Teen Movie
Original Film
Spoof movies were all the rage at the turn of the century. Do you recognize this one?
"Scary Movie"
"Mean Girls"
"She's The Man"
"Not Another Teen Movie"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Throughout the '80s and '90s, audiences were given teen movies that all pretty much had the same plot. In seeing this, writers of "Not Another Teen Movie" decided to take things as far as they could with the ridiculousness of it all and poke fun at the common tropes.

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One Week
Reprise
The Barenaked Ladies wrote a popular song about an increment of time. What is it called?
"One Week"
"One Month"
"One Year"
"One Hour"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Much like Smashmouth, The Barenaked Ladies gave us some exciting sounds that delivered an interesting message. The fast-paced music showed us that we didn't have to settle for slow pop anymore, even if we couldn't dance to it.

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24
Fox
What is the name of this gritty drama that kept Kiefer Sutherland working for over 12 years?
"The Shield"
"24"
"Heartbreak Hotel"
"NCIS"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Federal agents received a lot of attention after September 11th, and we all wanted to see red-blooded Americans saving the country over and over again. For this reason, "24" was a highly regarded and highly watched show from 2001 to 2014.

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Seinfeld
NBC
This television show owned the 1990s. Do you know what it's called?
"Fraiser"
"Home Improvement"
"Friends"
"Seinfeld"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although "Seinfeld" claimed to be a show about nothing, the show was really about how comedians get their material. The odd situations that "you just can't make up" changed the comedy game for everyone in the decade.

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Uma Thurman
A Band Apart
Who is this star of the "Kill Bill" movies?
Cate Blanchett
Uma Thurman
Kate Winslet
Joan Allen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Uma Thurman has played several roles that show off her range. However, she is most remembered for her excellent work in the "Kill Bill" series in which she goes on a killing spree for vengeance.

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Firefly
Fox
Can you name this show that only lasted 11 episodes but still has a cult following?
"Lost in Space"
"Star Trek: Evolution"
"In the Dirt"
"Firefly"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Firefly" didn't take off as much as producers wanted it to, and Fox canceled the show in 2003. Fans were outraged, as it was well-written and creative. Though there was a release of a movie, fans still push to have it resurrected.

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Kevin Richardson
Jive
We know it's been a while, but can you name this Backstreet Boy?
Nick Carter
Brian Littrell
Howie Dorough
Kevin Richardson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Backstreet Boys took over several radio stations as the boy band craze of the late 1990s swept the nation. Not only were these bands creating music videos, but they were drawing crowds that rivaled the Beatles.

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The Amazing Race
CBS
This contest show is still going strong today. Do you know what it's called?
"The Amazing Race"
"Man Vs. Wild"
"Next Food Network Star"
"Run For The Hills"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You might not think that a show can be entertaining if it's just couples have to compete against each other to get to different destinations around the world. However, audiences continue to tune into this one that airs on CBS.

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Jason Priestley
Fox
Do you know who this star of "Beverly Hills, 90210" is?
Brian Austin Green
Jason Priestley
Luke Perry
Parker Lewis
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jason Priestly is always remembered as Brandon Walsh. He didn't do a lot of acting after "Beverley Hills, 90210" ended in 2000, but he was considered a heartthrob of the '90s as his show attracted teen girls from across the country.

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2004
NFL
Do you remember which year Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson experienced a wardrobe malfunction at the Super Bowl?
2004
2006
2001
1999
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson were in a lot of trouble as the live half-time show revealed a part of Janet's body that was supposed to remain covered. The controversy exists when you listen to the lyrics that were sung just before that part of her wardrobe was ripped off her body.

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Friday Night Lights
Imagine Entertainment
Shining the spotlight on unhealthy high school football practices was the plot of several movies in the early '00s. Can you name this movie with that plot?
"Varsity Blues"
"Wild Child"
"Remember the Titans"
"Friday Night Lights"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There was no doubt that people wanted to show what happens when you push teens to the edge. While high school football can change a student's life, it shouldn't change it in physical ways that are unhealthy.

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Can't Take Me Home
LaFace / Arista
P!NK is a passionate woman who wanted to sing about things other than love. Do you remember the name of her first album?
"Funhouse"
"I'm Not Dead"
"Can't Take Me Home"
"Try This"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Can't Take Me Home" was an album that swept audiences away. Not only did P!NK sing about her independence, but she also sang about some traumatic experiences. She spoke to teenage girls about the hardships they'd face and how to get over them.

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Jive