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Whether you're getting ready to take part in a trivia night or setting up a contest of your own, these 80's trivia questions and answers will give you a competitive edge.
They're just a small portion of all the questions to ask at a bar or remote trivia session to keep things interesting.
So if you're looking for a great resource on trivia questions to use as icebreaker games for adults, look no further! This great list has got you covered.
Contents
11 Best 80s Trivia Questions and Answers
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Familiar topics with difficult details are a perfect way to get everybody involved, but maintain a challenging environment that encourages teamwork. All of the best 80's trivia share this special dynamic, and give great energy to a room.
Here are the 11 best 80s trivia questions and answers:
1. In "The Golden Child," what object does the Child animate to amuse his captor?
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Answer
A Coke can
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Starring Eddie Murphy, "The Golden Child" was his first movie not to be rated R. It was a box office success, earning nearly 80 million dollars after Paramount Pictures won rights to the script in a bidding war.
2. Which computer is listed in the Guinness World Records as the highest-selling single computer model of all time?
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Answer
Commodore 64
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An 8-bit home computer, the Commodore 64 sold between 10 and 17 million units. It was the first computer to allow for online multiplayer gaming.
3. Which Madonna song first hit the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1983?
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Answer
Holiday
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The "Queen of Pop" was born and raised in Michigan before moving to New York in 1978.
4. Which brand of running shoes did Run DMC make popular by featuring them in their music video "Walk This Way"?
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Answer
Adidas
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Hailing from Queens, New York, Run DMC was the first hip hop group in the world to earn a prestigious Gold Record for record sales success.
5. What was the weight of the first commercial U.S. cell phone?
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Answer
Two pounds
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The first commercial cell phone call was placed in 1983, from the U.S. to Alexander Graham Bell's great grandson in Germany.
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6. What was the original script for "I'll be back" in the Terminator movies?
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Answer
I'll come back
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Arnold Schwarzenegger's most famous role in film as The Terminator won him many accolades, and cemented him as an 80s pop culture icon.
7. What book spent 55 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list in the 1980s?
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Answer
Real Men Don't Eat Quiche
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A tongue-in-cheek book of satire, "Real Men Don't Eat Quiche" poked fun at the wide array of American masculine stereotypes.
8. When did Steve Jobs first get fired from Apple Computers?
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Answer
1985
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Following this brief ousting from the company, Jobs went on to create the animation division that would become Pixar.
9. Who created the first web browser in the late 1989?
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Answer
Tim Berners-Lee
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Named WorldWideWeb and later called Nexus, the world's first web browser was officially debuted early in the year 1990.
10. In what year did massive protests on either side of the Berlin Wall eventually lead to its being torn down?
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Answer
1989
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This event led to the reunification of East Germany and West Germany. A portion of the wall still stands in Berlin today as a reminder of the city's history.
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11. Which Sony product transformed music culture in 1980?
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Answer
Walkman
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Before stopping production in 2010, Sony had made nearly 200 million cassette-based Walkmen.
7 Fun 80s Trivia Questions and Answers
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Spice up any party with some fun trivia questions, and you'll have no problem at all getting perfect strangers to socialize and enjoy themselves.
Here are the 7 best fun 80s trivia questions and answers:
12. What product had a major moment in the 1980s, but they've been around since 3000 BCE—when Chinese Emperor Wong Ti used to kick around a leather ball filled with hair?
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Answer
Hacky Sacks
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Hacky Sacks are now usually filled with plastic pellets or sand rather than animal hair.
13. What did actress Jennifer Beals introduce in the movie Flashdance which started a fashion craze?
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Answer
Collarless Sweatshirt
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Despite initial poor reviews from critics, Flashdance would go on to be a major box office hit. Beals had the help of two body doubles to perform all of the intricate dance choreography seen in the movie.
14. How much did the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man suit for Ghostbusters cost?
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Answer
20000
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Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis both wrote and starred in the film, alongside Bill Murray.
15. What notable branding did Nike launch in 1988?
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Answer
Their slogan "Just Do It"
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Set in the Futura Bold Condensed typeface, "Just Do It" was inspired by the last words of a famous criminal named Gary Gilmore.
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16. Which company introduced the first mobile phone to the United States in 1983?
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Answer
Motorola
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Motorola, Inc. was founded in 1928 as a telecommunications firm, making it one of America's oldest.
17. What was introduced by Swiss company that became a fashion craze in the 80s?
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Answer
Swatch watches
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A contraction of "second watch", Swatches were intended as a cheap and disposable everyday wear option.
18. When did the first widely-used disposable camera hit the market?
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Answer
1986
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The Fuji QuickSnap led the way in disposable cameras, with dozens of Japanese producers quickly following suit.
10 Funny 80s Trivia Questions and Answers
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Humor is a great way to lighten the mood in any room, and it's especially easy to introduce via funny trivia questions.
Here are 10 funny 80s trivia questions and answers:
19. In which video game did Super Mario first appear?
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Answer
Donkey Kong
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Debuted in 1981, Donkey Kong predates the popular Super Mario Bros. series by four years.
20. What fast food franchise had a commercial in the late 80s that challenged customers to sing the "Menu Song" so they could win a million dollars?
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Answer
McDonald's
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The Golden Arches has a long history of commercialized stunts like this, including their now-famous Monopoly games.
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21. What is the video in which Pat Benetar and her crew of girls battled out a pimp by dancing at him?
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Answer
Love is a Battlefield
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Wildly popular as soon as it debuted, Love is a Battefield went on to sell over a million records.
22. In the first WrestleMania that took place on March 31, 1985 at Madison Square Garden, who was the guest referee in the main event?
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Answer
Mohammad Ali
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Hulk Hogan and Mr. T squared off in the main event of WrestleMania 1 against The Iron Sheik and Rowdy Roddy Piper.
23. How much money did Weird Al Yankovic turn down when he was offered to appear in a beer commercial?
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Answer
$5 million
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He turned down this generous offer because a lot of his fans were young people, and he thought it would give them the wrong message.
24. In the early outlines for The Empire Strikes Back, what was the original name of Yoda?
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Answer
Buffy
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The tiny green sage of Star Wars fame was partly modeled after the appearance of Albert Einstein.
25. What jackets were such a big deal in the 80s that it brought the company $100 million a year?
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Answer
Members Only
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The Members Only official tagline: "When you put it on, something happens"
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26. What was the original name of Mr. T?
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Answer
Laurence Tureaud
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Known for his signature catchphrase "I Pity the Fool", Mr. T played B.A. Baracus in hit show The A-Team.
27. How long did it take for Erno Rubik solve the popular toy Rubik's Cube?
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Answer
4 weeks
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Rubik was a sculptor and professor of architecture, and his Cube has become the highest-selling puzzle game in recorded history.
28. What did Van Halen spend the most money on when they did the video "Jump"?
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Answer
Beer
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More recently, electronic music DJ Armin Van Buuren released a remix of Jump that was released in 2019.
5 Easy 80s Trivia Questions and Answers
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Throwing in a few easy trivia questions helps to keep teams on track and highly motivated to keep playing.
Here are 5 easy 80s trivia questions and answers:
29. What is Indiana Jones main weapon?
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Answer
His whip
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While he's also fond of using a pistol, Harrison Ford's most iconic weapon in the Indiana Jones series is definitely his leather bullwhip.
30. What was the name of Bo and Luke Duke's automobile?
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Answer
General Lee
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The whole family from The Dukes of Hazzard loved this car, no matter how often it had to be taken in to Cooter, the mechanic.
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31. Who was the head villian on "The Smurfs" and what was his cat's name?
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Answer
Gargamel and Azrael
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Gargamel was an evil wizard with plans to turn the Smurfs into gold. His cat shares a name with the Islamic angel of death.
32. What was the name of the funky van Scooby Doo and friends rode in?
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Answer
The Mystery Machine
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Like, zoinks, man! Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Fred, and Daphne solved many a mystery from their colorful van.
33. Before Game Boy, Nintendo had another handheld game called what?
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Answer
Game & watch
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Featuring Mr. Game & Watch, this original handheld console was black and white only and could only play the games already loaded on it.
5 80s Trivia Questions and Answers for Kids
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What's old-school is newly cool again, making even era-specific trivia for kids a real possibility.
Here are the 5 best 80's trivia questions and answers for kids:
34. What was the name of the hollow hole-covered plastic ball kids used to hit instead of a baseball?
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Answer
Whiffle Ball
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Because the ball can't travel as far or hit with as much force, Whiffle Ball can be played as an indoor or outdoor sport.
35. What was the name of Garfield's teddy bear?
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Answer
Pookie
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Still being published as a comic strip today, Garfield has been in syndication since 1978.
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36. Who was the leader of the Transformers?
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Answer
For Autobots, Optimus Prime; for Decepticons, Megatron
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Recently rebooted as a film series, the Autobots and Decepticons have been waging war for millennia on Cybertron.
37. Who is the artist that starred in a commercial for Pac-Man cereal in the 1980s?
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Answer
Christian Bale
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Now most popularly known for his role in Batman, Christian Bale was just a kid when he played in this commercial.
38. When did the Japanese arcade game manufacturer Namco Limited introduced the world to Pac-Man?
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Answer
1980
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The Pac-Man franchise is one of the highest grossing and best selling video game series of all time.
5 80's Trivia Questions and Answers for Adults
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Break out your toughest queries on trivia questions for adults, and you'll keep them entertained and informed.
Here are the 5 best 80s trivia questions and answers for adults:
39. Name Eddie Murphy's skit about vocabulary on Saturday Night Live.
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Answer
Mister Robinsons Neigborhood
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A parody of Mister Roger's Neighborhood, Murphy turns the show's usual hope and optimism on its head while discussing grittier issues.
40. What famous Wham! frontman went on to record a multiplatinum record in 1987?
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Answer
George Michael
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Selling over 80 million records worldwide, George Michael is one of the best-selling musical artists in recorded history.
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41. Who doused his body with rum, setting himself on fire and ran down his neighborhood street in California on June 9th?
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Answer
Richard Pryor
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It's widely acknowledged that this behavior was a result of Pryor's problems with hard drugs.
42. What is the antidepressant drug that became one of the most prescribed medication in the late 1980s?
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Answer
Prozac
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The first widely-distributed SSRI, Prozac opened up a whole new world of treatment in the burgeoning field of analytic psychology.
43. What show did "The Simpsons" made their debut on?
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Answer
Tracy Ulman Show
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Blending sketch comedy with dance routines and musical numbers, the Tracy Ullman Show was the most memorable variety show of the 1980s.
5 Hard 80s Trivia Questions and Answers
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Throwing in a few truly hard trivia questions will keep everyone on their toes during an otherwise boring game night.
Here are the 5 best hard 80's trivia questions and answers:
44. What was the exact speed the car in Back to the Future had to go to travel through time?
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Answer
88 miles per hour
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Marty McFly and Doc Brown's DeLorean needs to hit this speed so it can activate the stolen plutonium in its hopped-up engine.
45. What is the name of the evil spirit in Poltergeist?
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Answer
Kane
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Poltergeist was the 8th highest grossing film of 1982, and spawned three additional movies in a series. The latest Poltergeist movie debuted in 2015.
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46. Who received the first artificial heart transplant surgery in 1982?
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Answer
Barney Clark
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Furthermore, this heart transplant was performed by Dr. Christiaan Barnard in South Africa, 2 years before man landed on the moon.
47. In 1989, thousands of Chinese students protested for democracy where in Beijing, China causing the government to impose martial law and have many protesters killed?
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Answer
Tienanmen Square
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Also known for being the mausoleum of Mao Zedong, Tienanmen Square has been an important Chinese cultural and historical site for decades.
48. The 1984 Winter Olympics were held where and in what country? (Hint: The country no longer exists today)
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Answer
Sarajevo, Yugoslavia
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This was the first Winter Olympics held in a socialist state, as well as the first games to be held in a Slavic-speaking country.
5 Random 80's Trivia Questions and Answers
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Spice up your game with these unexpected and random trivia questions and answers.
Here are the 5 best random 80's trivia questions and answers:
49. In which 80's film did Meryl Streep play a Polish holocaust survivor?
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Answer
Sophie's Choice
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Based on the 1979 novel by William Styron, "Sophie's Choice" is a harrowing film about choosing which of two children to save.
50. Which city was devastated by an earthquake in 1985 and then hosted the World Cup in 1986?
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Answer
Mexico City
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The 13th FIFA World Cup marked the first time that a country had held the cup twice, after Colombia was unable to do so due to economic problems.
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51. Which 80's world leader had a wife named Raisa?
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Answer
Mikhail Gorbachev
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Gorbachev was the 8th and last leader of the Soviet Union, and is still widely involved in Russian politics today.
52. What year saw the first ever liposuction surgery?
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Answer
1982
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Liposuction is the most common cosmetic surgery in America, and it removes fat from underneath the skin.
53. What was banned worldwide in order to prevent the extinction of elephants?
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Answer
Ivory
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Ivory has been valued since ancient times for its pure white color and easy ability to be carved and shaped into figures.
5 80's music trivia questions and answers
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There are plenty of great music trivia questions and answers from the era of big hair and crazy synthesizers.
Here are 5 80s music trivia questions and answers:
54. How much did it cost to make Eddie Murphy's album "How Could it Be"?
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Answer
Over half a million dollars
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The album made it to #26 on the Billboard 200, and hit single "Party All the Time" became an instant success.
55. Who rocked the guitar solo in Michael Jackson's Beat It, completely for free?
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Answer
Eddie Van Halen
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Found on Michael Jackson's 6th studio album, "Thriller", Beat It was the third single from the album.
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56. Who was the famous Jamaican singer who succumbed to skin cancer in May of 1981?
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Answer
Bob Marley
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Best known for being one of the pioneers of Reggae music, Marley was survived by his son Ziggy who continues to record music to this day.
57. Which member of the Beatles was arrested in Tokyo for possession of a half pound of Marijuana?
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Answer
Paul McCartney
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Long-time bassist for the Beatles, McCartney will go down in history as one of the most successful songwriters of all time.
58. What was the decade's most popular song?
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Answer
Physical by Olivia Newton-John
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Newton-John can claim five #1 singles on Billboard's Top 100, as well as ten more that made it to the top 10.
5 80s Bar Trivia Questions and Answers
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Bar trivia questions need to be good for a diverse group of ages, and can be a tough category to nail every time.
Here are 5 80s bar trivia questions and answers:
59. Which first lady was responsible for the 1980s "Just Say No" campaign?
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Answer
Nancy Reagan
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Just one of many ill-fated drug awareness programs, "Just Say No" encouraged kids to avoid drugs and alcohol simply by politely saying no when offered.
60. Which hotel bar plays a prominent part in the film of The Shining?
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Answer
Overlook Hotel
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Starring Jack Nicholson, Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" is considered by many to be a masterpiece of horror and suspense.
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61. What show is set in a bar in Boston, Massachusetts, where a group of locals meet to drink, relax, and socialize?
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Answer
Cheers
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Sometimes called America's most well-known and beloved bar, Cheers still receives thousands of visitors each year.
62. What was the very popular film that started Tom Cruise's super-stardom in the 1980s?
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Answer
Cocktail
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Cruise took to learning "flair" bartending to be able to spin, throw, and perform with real liquor bottles during filming.
63. Which quarterback made the Alabama Slammer famous?
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Answer
Brett Favre
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Best known for his time with the Green Bay Packers, Favre had an odd taste in cocktails.
5 80s Movie Trivia Questions
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Film buffs unite! These 80s movie trivia questions run the gamut of genres, from action to horror to sci-fi and beyond.
Here are 5 80s movie trivia questions and answers:
64. In 'Dirty Dancing' what was Baby's real name?
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Answer
Frances
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Dirty Dancing was based on the director, Eleanor Bergstein's, own childhood. It premiered at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival, and earned over 200 million dollars worldwide.
65. How much does Hans Gruber intend to steal in Die Hard?
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Answer
$640 million
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Now a five movie strong franchise, Die Hard is the story of John McClane's heroic escapades in New York City.
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66. Where is the Zoltar machine found at the end of Big?
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Answer
Sea Point Park
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Starring Tom Hanks, "Big" was the story of a 13-year-old kid who made an ill-fated wish to become a grown-up and must figure out how to reverse his magical luck.
67. Which 80s cop movie spawned 6 sequels and a T.V. series?
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Answer
Police Academy
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Following the story of a new recruitment policy in a police department, Police Academy is filled with unforgettable characters like Hightower and Mahoney.
68. Which 80s movie was Alan Rickman’s first feature film role?
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Answer
Die Hard
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The actor has since gone on to star as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter movie series.
5 80s History Trivia Questions
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Memorable events from the 80s make for great history trivia questions, and you can find them all here.
Here are 5 80s history trivia questions and answers:
69. Robert Mugabe became the Prime Minister of which country in 1980?
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Answer
Zimbabwe
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Mugabe was an African nationalist, Marxist, and later socialist. He passed away in 2019 amid much political turmoil.
70. The wreck of the Titanic, the luxury liner that sank in April 1912, was found in what year?
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Answer
1985
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It would be another 12 years until Leonardo Di Caprio starred in the box office smash hit Titanic alongside Kate Winslet.
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71. The first Disney park to be built outside the US was opened in which country in 1983?
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Answer
Japan
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Making its debut in Japan's most populous city, Disneyland Tokyo features the same famous Disney characters as all of their other parks, but in a distinctly Japanese style.
72. The characters of Optimus Prime and Megatron debuted in 1984 as leaders of which cartoon series?
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Answer
The Transformers
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Each of these "More Than Meets the Eye" robots could transform into a covert object, with Megatron turning into a pistol while Optimus Prime became a semi truck.
73. The space shuttle Challenger exploded into a massive fireball, killing all seven astronauts on board. What year was this?
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Answer
1986
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The shuttle broke apart only 73 seconds into its flight, and was aired on national television.
3 80s Halloween Trivia
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Get spooky with some 80s Halloween trivia, and scare yourself up a great time with friends.
Here are 3 80s Halloween trivia questions and answers:
74. In 1984 what nightmare walking movie villain was introduced?
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Answer
Freddy Krueger
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He was the antagonist of "Nightmare on Elm Street".
75. In "Gremlins," what substance caused adorable "mogwais" to turn into terrifying, angry monsters?
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Answer
Water
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You also had to be careful not to feed the adorable Mogwais after midnight, or risk turning them into the villainous Stripe and his gang of Gremlins.
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76. "Halloween II" was released in 1981, how many years after the first "Halloween" movie?
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Answer
Three years
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Both movies star the fictional serial killer Jason Voorhees.
3 80s Thanksgiving Trivia Questions
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Give thanks for these awesome Thanksgiving trivia questions any time of year.
Here are 3 80s thanksgiving trivia questions and answers:
77. This two-part episode showed just how much humanity Alf had for those who were less fortunate.
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Answer
Alf:"Turkey in the Straw"
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Alf was television's most popular alien puppet in the 80s, and had a penchant for eating cats.
78. In the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in November 27, 1986, what cat floated above a marching band?
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Answer
Garfield the Cat
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Known for his love of lasagna, Garfield the cat absolutely hates Mondays.
79. What critically acclaimed '80s movie is reported to have a deleted scene with friends preparing Thanksgiving dinner together?
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Answer
The Big Chill
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While the footage has never been recovered, industry insiders still claim its existence.
3 80s Christmas Trivia Questions
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Cold, snowy nights are a perfect time to break out Christmas trivia questions with your family and friends.
Here are 3 80s Christmas trivia questions and answers:
80. In The Polar Express, what was the name of the "steepest downhill grade in the world"?
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Answer
Glacier Gulch
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Originally written as a children's storybook, The Polar Express was computer-animated as a movie in the 2000s.
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81. What band originally sang "Last Christmas"?
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Answer
Wham!
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Wham! sold more than 30 million records worldwide between 1982 and 1986.
82. In A Christmas Story(1983), Ralphie's father wins a lamp in the shape of what?
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Answer
Woman's Leg
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Best known for the line "You'll shoot your eye out", A Christmas Story has become a cult classic that is played for 24 hours on Christmas day in many parts of the United States.
Downloadable and Printable List of 80s Trivia Questions and Answers
Here is a downloadable and printable list of 80s trivia questions and answers (right click the image and Save Image As...):
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More Awesome Ice Breaker Games and Questions
Looking for even more ways to put your party guests at ease? Check out the following amazing ice breaker games and questions:
- Study up on the word of God with these Bible trivia questions and answers.
- Everybody's favorite drinking game, never have I ever questions can lead to some very interesting outcomes.
- Love the great outdoors? These animal trivia questions will be right up your alley.
How To Pick the Best 80s Trivia Questions And Answers
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Gather your senses and take notes: These three simple steps make it easy to choose the 80s trivia for study or play.
Here's how to pick the best 80s trivia questions and answers:
1. Go for Volume
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You can never have too many trivia questions to ask, and it always pays off to know as many obscure answers as possible. The more questions you have, the better.
2. Seek Out Areas Where You're Not Knowledgeable
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To really round out your overall performance in trivia competitions, you'll need to shore up any areas where you're not as familiar. Look specifically for categories that you're not familiar with.
3. Seek Out Areas of Interest
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On the other hand, if you're the one reading the trivia questions, focusing on subjects that you really enjoy will make it easier to fact check and gather a wide variety of interesting questions.
In Conclusion
Every one of these 80s trivia questions and answers can make a meaningful contribution to your organization of a trivia questions contest, or become a great study guide of questions to ask yourself before heading out to trivia night at a bar. So the next time you're looking for great icebreaker games for adults, come back and put together an informal round of trivia to get everybody in the same great mood!
