167+ Best 1980s Trivia Questions & Answers

Question: Who broke the glass ceiling as the first female justice appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in '81?

Answer: Sandra Day O'Connor

Question: Which revolutionary music channel launched in 1981, turning music videos into a must-watch spectacle?

Answer: MTV

Question: Who soared to the stars as the first American woman to travel to space in 1983?

Answer: Sally Ride

Question: Which beloved space shuttle met a tragic end shortly after its fiery launch in 1986?

Answer: Challenger

Question: What pocket-sized music marvel did Sony unveil in 1980, letting you groove on the go?

Answer: Sony Walkman

Question: Which epic film saga took a thrilling leap forward with "The Empire Strikes Back" in 1980?

Answer: Star Wars

Question: Who charmed America into the 80s as the President of the United States in 1981?

Answer: Ronald Reagan

Question: Which arcade legend, featuring a hungry yellow chomper, gobbled up the competition in 1980?

Answer: Pac-Man

Question: What sneaky computer virus crept into Apple II machines back in 1982?

Answer: Elk Cloner

Question: What bold tax cut strategy did Ronald Reagan introduce in the 1980s, sparking debates nationwide?

Answer: Reaganomics

Question: Which powerhouse team clinched the Super Bowl in 1985, famously performing the "Super Bowl Shuffle"?

Answer: Chicago Bears

Question: Which collectible craze took over in 1982 with its quirky, small figures?

Answer: Cabbage Pail Kids

Question: What 80s hairstyle trend was all about big, teased hair held in place with copious amounts of hairspray?

Answer: Big Hair

Question: Which classic video game launched in 1980 stars a yellow hero navigating mazes while dodging spooky ghosts?

Answer: Pac-Man

Question: Which band unleashed the electrifying "Sweet Child o' Mine" in 1987, making guitar solos legendary?

Answer: Guns N' Roses

Question: Who moonwalked his way to superstardom with the unforgettable "Billie Jean" in 1983?

Answer: Michael Jackson

Question: Which powerhouse vocalist belted out the dramatic "Total Eclipse of the Heart" in 1983?

Answer: Bonnie Tyler

Question: Which rock legends set the stage on fire with their album "Appetite for Destruction" in 1987?

Answer: Guns N' Roses

Question: Who had fans raising their hands and shouting "Livin' on a Prayer" all throughout 1986?

Answer: Bon Jovi

Question: What catchy tune turned Rick Astley into a global sensation in 1987?

Answer: Never Gonna Give You Up

Question: Which band delivered the ultimate rock anthem "Pour Some Sugar on Me" in 1987?

Answer: Def Leppard

Question: What high-voltage band released the electrifying album "Back in Black" in 1980?

Answer: AC/DC

Question: Who played the role of the "Material Girl" and danced her way into our hearts in 1985?

Answer: Madonna

Question: Which British band harmonized their way to fame with the album "Synchronicity" in 1983?

Answer: The Police

Question: Who rocked the charts by declaring herself "Like a Virgin" in 1984?

Answer: Madonna

Question: What is the name of Michael Jackson's record-breaking album released in 1982, still topping sales charts today?

Answer: Thriller

Question: What dazzling debut album did Beyoncé release in 2003, announcing her solo superstar status?

Answer: Dangerously in Love

Question: Who traveled back in time in “Back to the Future” in 1985?

Answer: Michael J. Fox

Question: In “WarGames” (1983) what was the name of the sneaky AI that almost started World War III?

Answer: Joshua

Question: Who wore the fedora in the 1980 Indiana Jones film series?

Answer: Harrison Ford

Question: Who directed the alien buddy movie in “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” in 1982?

Answer: Steven Spielberg

Question: What was the biggest film of the 1980s?

Answer: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Question: Who was the creepy Jack Torrance in the 1980 horror film “The Shining”?

Answer: Jack Nicholson

Question: Who played wisecracking John McClane in the 1988 action film “Die Hard”?

Answer: Bruce Willis

Question: Who became Sarah Connor in the time-traveling thriller “The Terminator” in 1984?

Answer: Linda Hamilton

Question: In “Ghostbusters” (1984) what was the name of the weird and wonderful ghost hunter played by Bill Murray?

Answer: Peter Venkman

Question: Who directed the aerial action film “Top Gun” in 1986?

Answer: Tony Scott

Question: What was the Best Picture winner in 1982?

Answer: Gandhi

Question: Who played Axel Foley in the 1984 comedy “Beverly Hills Cop”?

Answer: Eddie Murphy

Question: In “The Breakfast Club” who is Molly Ringwald’s character the “princess”?

Answer: Claire Standish

Question: Who starred as Maverick in the 1986 film “Top Gun”?

Answer: Tom Cruise

Question: What was the Stanley Kubrick film in 1980 with Jack Nicholson as the caretaker of the Overlook Hotel?

Answer: The Shining

Question: What 80s sitcom had a group of friends living in the city?

Answer: Friends

Question: What 80s cartoon was about a wacky yellow family?

Answer: The Simpsons

Question: What soap opera ran from 81-89 in the fictional town of Pine Valley?

Answer: All My Children

Question: Who played Tony Micelli in the show "Who's the Boss"?

Answer: Tony Danza

Question: What sci-fi show ran from 87-94?

Answer: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Question: What was the name of the robot in the show "Small Wonder"?

Answer: Vicki

Question: Who played Angela Bower in "Who's the Boss"?

Answer: Judith Light

Question: What medical drama ran from 82-88?

Answer: St. Elsewhere

Question: Who played Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable in "The Cosby Show"?

Answer: Bill Cosby

Question: Who played Alex P. Keaton in "Family Ties"?

Answer: Michael J. Fox

Question: Which stylish crime drama showcased the detective duo Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs?

Answer: Miami Vice