You’re about to test how tightly the ’80s stuck in your memory — from chart-topping singers to iconic movie moments and signature fashion pieces. This quiz challenges you to hit a perfect score by recalling the names, dates, songs, and pop-culture moments that defined the decade.
Move through questions that pull from music, movies, TV, toys, and trends, and see how many nostalgic details you can summon without peeking. Keep your confidence up — this is as much a fun trip down memory lane as it is a test of recall.
Name the lead singer of Duran Duran
You probably picture the frontman from classic videos like “Rio” and “Hungry Like the Wolf.”
Simon Le Bon became Duran Duran’s lead singer in 1980 and helped define their 1980s sound.
You might recall his distinctive voice and stage presence from TV and video.
He also wrote many of the band’s lyrics and remains closely associated with their image.
Recall the year MTV first aired
You probably know MTV as the place music videos exploded into pop culture. It first hit the airwaves on August 1, 1981, changing how artists reached fans.
Think about how that single date shifted TV and music promotion. If you can name that year, you’ve already cleared a key nostalgia checkpoint.
Identify the movie featuring ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’
You probably recognize the title — it’s the 1982 Spielberg film about a stranded, gentle alien and a boy named Elliott.
If you remember bikes flying, the line “E.T. phone home,” or the glowing fingertip, that’s this movie.
Spotting any of those clues in the quiz should lead you straight to E.T. the Extra‑Terrestrial.
Remember the dance move popularized by Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’
You probably picture the zombie stomp and sharp arm angles when you hear “Thriller.”
The routine, co-choreographed by Michael Jackson and Michael Peters in 1983, fused pop and theatrical moves.
Try to mime the iconic step where the group shuffles and freezes in sync.
If you get the rhythm and hand snaps right, you’ll feel instantly transported back to that era.
Name the popular handheld puzzle toy from the 80s
You probably remember twisting colored squares to restore each face to a single color.
The Rubik’s Cube became a portable obsession, challenging spatial skills and patience.
It fit in your bag and your hands, perfect for short waits or long commutes.
Many other handheld puzzles existed, but the Cube remains the decade’s most iconic brain-teaser.
Who played Indiana Jones in the original film series?
You know Indiana Jones as the whip‑cracking archaeologist from the 1980s movies.
Harrison Ford portrayed Indy in the original trilogy and returned for later entries.
Ford became synonymous with the role after Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).
His performance shaped the character’s look, voice, and swagger that you still recognize today.
Recall the brand famous for neon leg warmers
You probably picture bright neon and big logos — that was been-a-thing for brands like Adidas and other athletic labels, but the 80s leg warmer craze was driven more by dancewear brands and fashion boutiques than a single household name.
You’d spot neon leg warmers in dance studios and on streets, often sold alongside spandex and headbands.
If you’re remembering a specific logo, check vintage dancewear labels and 80s-inspired retailers; they were the real source of that neon look.
Name the long-running TV show where ‘Who shot J.R.?’ was a major plot
You probably remember the cliffhanger: “Who shot J.R.?” came from the primetime soap Dallas.
The show centered on the Ewing family and ran for many seasons in the late 1970s and 1980s.
That mystery became a pop-culture moment, sparking debates, bets, and record-breaking viewership when the answer aired.
Identify the artist behind the hit song ‘Like a Virgin’
You probably remember the pop anthem that defined mid-80s radio.
Madonna recorded “Like a Virgin” and released it as the lead single from her second album in 1984.
The song gave her a first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 and helped cement her image.
If you got that right, your 80s pop recall is in good shape.
Name the cartoon featuring transforming robots called Autobots
You probably remember Optimus Prime leading the heroic Autobots in The Transformers, the 1980s cartoon that kicked off G1 lore.
The show mixes robot battles with human characters and lots of vehicle-to-robot transformations.
If that sparks memories of Saturday morning cartoons, you’re on the right track.
Keep an eye out for episodes about the Dinobots and giant Decepticon combiner teams.
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