Can You Guess the '80s Movie Character from a Single Sentence?



Jouviane Alexandre

6 Min Quiz

Image: YouTube

About This Quiz

I feel the need, the need for speed! If you're a fan of '80s films, you might want to speed right into this quiz. From all the classic films of the decade, can you name them from a single sentence?

The '80s was a huge era in film, and it was led by the actors and actresses. Actors like Harrison Ford, Jack Nicholson, and Arnold Schwarzenegger starred as unforgettable characters while John Hughes was putting the Brat Pack into the spotlight. Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, and Rob Lowe starred in some of the most memorable films of that decade along with fan favorites like Tom Cruise and Michael J. Fox. 

With the help of all these talented actors, these films shot to stardom, but how well do you remember them? Enough to recognize them from a single sentence? If we repeated the name of a ghost three times, could you identify the 1988 Michael Keaton film? If asked about a murderous doll named Chucky, could you pair it with the 1988 horror film? 

The '80s were an iconic time in film, but just how much of an impact did it make on you? Can you guess the film from a single sentence and make it to the Hollywood Walk of Fame or will you be stuck on the D-list calling The Ghostbusters for back up?

Let's find out!

A member of the United States Navy, this aviator has a need for speed.

Tom Cruise stars in the 1986 film "Top Gun" as the character Maverick, a naval aviator. The film follows his character after he is sent to a Top Gun school which is reserved for excellent Navy men. The film also stars Kelly McGillis and Val Kilmer.


Hailing from the Netherworld, this ghost tries to scare away a young couple from inhabiting their old house.

Michael Keaton stars in the 1988 film "Beetlejuice" as the same-titled character. The film also stars Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, and a young Winona Ryder. "Beetlejuice" follows Baldwin and Davis' characters as they haunt their old house.


Made into a cyborg that looks like a man, this assassin is sent back to the '80s to prevent the future upheaval against machines.

"The Terminator" is the 1984 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger who plays a cyborg. The film follows the "Terminator" who travels from the future back in time, with an assignment to assassinate a woman. The film also stars Michael Biehn and Linda Hamilton.


During the Christmas holidays, this German terrorist takes a building's workers hostage and he plans a heist.

Released in 1988, Die Hard follows the story of an NYPD cop who is forced to take down German terrorist, Hans Gruber, who is played by Alan Rickman.


Afraid of rejection, this 'quacker' is afraid to admit he's in love with his best friend.

The character Duckie appeared in the 1986 John Hughes film "Pretty in Pink." Portrayed by Jon Cryer, the character Duckie is afraid to tell his best friend, Andie, that he is in love with her. The film also stars Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy.


This unemployed man, who loves betting on horses, is tasked with watching his nieces and nephew for a weekend.

The 1989 film "Uncle Buck" stars John Candy as the eponymous character. The film follows an unemployed man as he is tasked with watching his brother's kids. The film also stars Jean Louisa Kelly and Macaulay Culkin.


A legendary Wall Street man with selfish plans gets tied into insider trading before he is caught by the FBI.

Gordon Gekko is a character from the 1987 film "Wall Street." The film stars Michael Douglas as Gekko and also stars Charlie Sheen, Daryl Hannah, and Martin Sheen. Douglas's role as Gekko earned him the Oscar for Best Actor.


Aggressive and suicidal, an LAPD sergeant finds himself with a new partner and the task of taking down a drug-smuggling operation.

Martin Riggs is a character from the popular 1987 film "Lethal Weapon." Following the death of his wife, the character, played by Mel Gibson, goes on a downhill spiral. The film also stars Danny Glover, as Roger Murtaugh, Riggs's new partner.


Considered a delinquent, this high school student finds himself in Saturday morning detention for pulling the fire alarm.

John Bender, portrayed by Judd Nelson, is a character from one of the biggest films of the '80s, "The Breakfast Club." The film follows five students from different high school cliques as they grow closer during detention. The film also stars Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, and Ally Sheedy.


While he could be considered a "mad scientist," this man created the brilliant DeLorean time machine.

Doc Brown is a character from the 1985 film "Back to the Future." Played by Christopher Lloyd, the scientist is tasked with helping Marty McFly return to 1985 after having time traveled 30 years prior.


Obviously with a bout of "senioritis," this high school senior skips his classes to hang out in downtown Chicago.

"Ferris Bueller's Day Off" is the 1986 film starring Matthew Broderick as Ferris Bueller. The movie follows the young Chicago teen who skips classes for a day while trying to thwart the dean, who is trying to catch him.


This Cuban native becomes a powerful and dangerous drug lord in Miami.

Al Pacino starred in the 1983 film "Scarface." With an extreme cult following, the story itself follows Tony Montana, a Cuban man who flees to Miami and becomes the city's biggest kingpin.


After being released from prison, this man decides to reform his old band to save his old orphanage.

"The Blues Brothers" is the 1980 film with John Belushi starring as Jake Blues. After being released from prison, he teams up with his brother to restart their old band, The Blues Brothers, to save their old orphanage. Dan Aykroyd also stars in the film as Elwood Blues.


After attempting to visit an old friend, this Vietnam War vet is triggered as a small town of cops harass him.

The 1982 film "First Blood" introduced the character, John Rambo, played by Sylvester Stallone. The character is a Vietnam War veteran, who after attempting to visit an old friend, is harassed by a group of local law enforcement.


This archaeologist races against time to find the Ark of the Covenant before a group of Nazis.

"Raiders of the Lost Ark" is the 1981 film that introduced Harrison Ford as the archaeologist, Indiana Jones. The films follows Jones as he tries to find the Ark of the Covenant, a sort of 'treasure' chest that Hitler believes will make his army of Nazis unbeatable.


Trapped in the body of a "Good Guy" doll, this serial killer comes to life to terrorize a single mother and her young son.

The 1988 film "Child's Play" stars Alex Vincent, Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, and Brad Dourif. The latter plays the character Charles Lee Ray, a serial killer who transfers his body into that of a doll.


Too young to talk to his crush and too short to ride a roller coaster, this young pre-teen makes a wish that turns him into a 30-year old man.

The 1988 film "Big" stars Tom Hanks as the "old" Josh Baskin. After failing to impress his crush and wanting to ride a roller coaster, the young 12-year old makes a wish to be "big." The film also stars Elizabeth Perkins and Robert Loggia.


This young student from 1985 finds himself stuck in a 1950s high school trying to set up a love connection between his parents.

Michael J. Fox stars as Marty McFly in the 1985 film "Back to the Future." After he travels to 1955, Marty encounters both his parents and is forced to help the couple meet so the timeline doesn't change. The film also stars Christoper Lloyd as Doc Brown.


Tired of being the average teen, this young male is shocked when he finds out he's a werewolf.

Another role portrayed by Michael J. Fox, Scott Howard is a character from the 1985 film "Teen Wolf." In the film, the high school student learns that his family carries a gene that makes him a werewolf.


After his young neighbor is targeted by a bully, an elderly Japanese man teaches him how to defend himself.

"The Karate Kid" is the 1984 film starring Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi. After being bullied by a skilled fighter, Macchio's character, Daniel, asks his neighbor to help him learn to fight.


A young Detroit cop travels to the 90210 to investigate the murder of his friend.

The 1984 film "Beverly Hills Cop" stars Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley, a young Detroit detective who, following the death of his friend, travels to Beverly Hills to solve it. The film also stars Judge Reinhold and Lisa Eilbacher.


This green Jedi Master is tasked with training the young Luke Skywalker.

Yoda is a character from the 1980 film "Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back." He is a Jedi Master who begins Luke's training. The character was voiced by Frank Oz.


One of the most popular girls in school, this high school teen is over her "same-named" clique and wants out of the group.

Winona Ryder stars in the 1988 film "Heathers" as the high school teenager, Veronica Sawyer. When she gets tired of the behavior of her friends, they vow to ruin her reputation. During this time, she meets Jason Dean, another student who goes on a killing spree and poses his victims to make it look like a suicide before taking his life.


This NYPD cop finds himself in Los Angeles trying to thwart the heist of a German terrorist.

"Die Hard" is the 1988 film starring Bruce Willis as the NYPD cop, John McClane. After traveling to Los Angeles to visit his wife, the cop is caught in the middle of thwarting the plans of German terrorist, Hans Gruber.


A woman scorned, this editor becomes obsessive and murderous after an affair with a married NYC lawyer.

Alex Forrest is a character from the popular 1987 film "Fatal Attraction." Played by Glenn Close, the story starts with her character having an affair with lawyer Dave Gallagher, portrayed by Michael Douglas. Although it's thought to be a fling, Alex is unwilling to let go of the affair. And don't forget the part where she boils the bunny!


Second in command to a mob boss, this Gotham City criminal is set on causing chaos after a struggle with a vigilante leaves him with green hair and a creepy smile.

Originally as Jack Napier, the Joker is a character from the 1989 film "Batman." Portrayed by Jack Nicholson, the character terrorizes Batman and Gotham City after a struggle with Batman leaves him with a changed appearance. The film also stars Michael Keaton as Batman.


A young klutz, this young boy couldn't keep his lips closed about the treasure while also keeping his body loose with the truffle shuffle.

Chunk is a young character from the 1985 film "The Goonies." Played by Jeff Cohen, Chunk is one of "the goonies" living in the Goon Docks. The film also stars Sean Astin as Mikey Walsh.


This alien finds himself stranded on Earth and attempts to make its way back home.

E.T. is a character from the 1982 film "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial." The film follows a young boy who after meeting the alien, attempts to help it find its way home. Pat Welsh provides the voice for the character.


The leader of the Ghostbusters, this Ph.D originally didn't even believe in ghosts.

Peter Venkman is a character from the 1984 film "Ghostbusters." Although he is a parapsychologist with an affinity for ESP, he originally doesn't believe in ghosts. Venkman is portrayed by actor Bill Murray.


This voluptuous red-haired cartoon was married to Roger.

The character Jessica Rabbit is introduced in the 1988 film "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." The film follows cartoon, Roger Rabbit, who is framed with a murder. Jessica Rabbit's character is voiced by Kathleen Turner.


Formerly from Australia, an expert crocodile hunter is forced to acclimate to city life in the Big Apple.

"Crocodile Dundee" is the 1986 film that follows Mike Dundee, a crocodile hunter living in Australia. The film follows Dundee, portrayed by Paul Hogan, who after impressing a reporter on his turf, is invited to New York City.


After being murdered, a cop is brought back to life as a cyborg.

"RoboCop" is the 1987 film starring Peter Weller as RoboCop. The film follows Alex J. Murphy, a cop who is murdered and then made into a cyborg called 'RoboCop.'


A happy stoner, this high school senior only needs some killer waves and a nice buzz.

"Fast Times at Ridgemont High" is the 1987 film about a group of high school teenagers. Sean Penn stars in the film as high school stoner, Jeff Spicoli. The film also stars Judge Reinhold and Jennifer Jason Leigh.


This serial killer haunts his victims in their dreams.

Freddy Krueger is a serial killer that is introduced in the 1984 film, "A Nightmare on Elm Street." The film follows a group of teenagers that are being killed by Krueger in their dreams and thus in real life. Freddy Krueger is played by Robert Englund.


Called "the heart of the Ghostbusters" by one of his colleagues, this scientist, while questioning the existence of God, has an extensive knowledge of the Bible.

Ray Stantz is one of the members of the parapsychology group, the Ghostbusters. Portrayed by Dan Aykroyd, the character alongside Venkman and Spengler, task themselves with hunting down ghosts.


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