Pop Culture Trivia Quiz: What Happened In 1983?
1983 Trivia: Relive the Pop Culture Moments of This Exciting Year!
1983 was a defining moment for pop culture, with groundbreaking movies, chart-topping music, and memorable TV debuts that left an indelible mark. Do you think you know everything about the early ’80s? This trivia page is your chance to put your knowledge to the test with questions that span the biggest hits, trends, and moments of 1983.
Challenge yourself with questions like: What blockbuster sci-fi sequel dominated the box office? Which pop icon cemented their superstardom with an iconic album? What major TV finale set viewership records? And can you name the revolutionary video game that took arcades by storm?
Here’s some bonus trivia to kick things off:
- Return of the Jedi brought the Star Wars saga to a climactic (and emotional) conclusion, becoming one of the year’s highest-grossing films.
- The world was introduced to the Swatch watch, bringing bold and colorful designs to the wristwear market.
- Michael Jackson’s Thriller video debuted in music, forever changing the landscape of music videos and pop culture.
- The hit TV series Cheers won its first Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, solidifying its place in television history.
- Nintendo released Mario Bros., a game that introduced the legendary Mario and Luigi as plumbers battling foes in underground pipes.
1983 was also the year of high-tech innovation, with the release of the Apple Lisa, one of the first personal computers with a graphical user interface, paving the way for the modern computer age.
Whether you’re here to prep for a trivia showdown or relive the excitement of this unforgettable year, this page will take you back to the highlights of 1983. There’s something for everyone, from epic movies to tech breakthroughs and pop culture firsts.
So, are you ready to tackle the ultimate 1983 trivia challenge? Dive in and see if you can outscore your friends with your knowledge of this legendary year!
83 Trivia Questions For 1983 History
(answers)
1. Actor and executive producer LeVar Burton hosted this PBS show. Name that program.
2. Name the film that asked, “Shall we play a game?”
3. Kevin Costner was seen in this film briefly as a corpse. Name that film.
4. This primetime concert special introduced Michael Jackson’s moonwalk. Name that event
5. Name the TV show that featured Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober, and Red
6. This film featured Debra Winger, Shirley MacLaine, Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Jeff Daniels, and John Lithgow and won five Oscars. Name that film
7. Who plays the role of Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop?
8. Who plays the role of Detective Billy Rosewood in Beverly Hills Cop?
9. The game’s name comes from a Swahili word that means ‘to build or construct.’ Name the game.
HINT: 54 blocks
10. Who hosted Star Search from 1983 to 1995?
11. What team won the Super Bowl in 1983?
12. Nancy Reagan appeared on this show to kick off her “Just Say No” anti-drug campaign. What show?
13. Who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983?
14. On what planet do the Ewoks live?
15. Name the Star Wars character who famously said, “It’s a trap!”
16. What was the biggest song of 1983?
17. When was Lake Mead, the reservoir behind Hoover Dam in Nevada/Arizona, last at peak capacity?
18. Who sang “The kid is not my son” in a number-one hit in 1983?
19. This dance/drama film was about Alex Owens, an eighteen-year-old welder at a steel mill in Pittsburgh. Name that film
20. Flashdance produced two number-one hits. You get one point for each, which you can name
21. Who was the biggest musical artist of 1983?
22. What was the name of Bob Ross’s show?
23. This 1983 film was a sequel to Saturday Night Fever. Name that film.
24. Staying Alive starred John Travolta, but who directed it?
25. This company launched in 1983 as the Control Video Corporation. It changed its name and was the biggest home internet service in the world by the mid-1990s. Name the company.
26. Starring Burt Reynolds, this film was adapted from the 1973 novel Stand on It, an autobiography of a fictional driver. Name the film.
27. Thomas Sullivan Magnum IV was a private investigator on this CBS program. Name the show
28. Today, this company, founded in 1983, includes QuickBooks, Credit Karma, and Mailchimp among its products. Name that company.
29. More than 125 million people watched the finale of this show. Name it.
30. This sitcom television series was a spin-off and continuation of M*A*S*H. It lasted 2 seasons. Name that show.
31. Who was the President in 1983?
32. This show starred Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner as divorced housewife Amanda King and top-level “Agency” operative Lee Stetson; it aired from 1983 to 1987. Name that show.
33. Name the 1983 film considered to be Tom Cruise’s breakout role.
34. Who was Tom Cruise’s female co-star in Risky Business?
35. President Reagan proposed a missile defense system that was “decades away from reality.” What was it commonly called?
36. Which products were NOT (average) priced at 99 cents per pound in 1983?
Grapes, Duck, Watermelon or Bacon
37. This film comedy featured the characters Louis Winthorpe III and Billy Ray Valentine.
38. What was the DynaTAC 8000X?
39. Space Shuttle Challenger carried the first African-American astronaut into space. Name him.
40. Introduced in 1983, this has become one of The Price Is Right’s most popular pricing games. Name it.
41. One word: Norm! Name the show.
42. In A Christmas Story, what did Ralphie want for Christmas?
43. Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems was first released in October 1983, but it was better known by what other name?
44. Who were the NBA Champions in 1983?
45. Who was the host of Reading Rainbow on PBS?
46. Who was the Vice-President in 1983?
47. What was the best-selling fiction book of 1983
48. Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney had two songs together that ruled the pop charts in 1983. You get one point for each, which you can name
49. This TV show featured orphan Webster Long and his adoptive parents, George and Katherine Papadopoulos. Name that sitcom.
50. Who played the role of Webster?
51. Who were the Stanley Cup Champions in 1983?
52. This TV show, which ran for 130 episodes, was a spin-off from a Carol Burnett Show sketch. Name the show
53. Who was NOT born in 1983?
Ashley Tisdale, Carrie Underwood, Michelle Branch, or Adam Driver
54. Name the film that gave Michael Keaton his first leading role.
55. What was the second-best-selling album of 1983
56. What was the Third-best-selling album of 1983
57. AT&T was broken up in an antitrust action, forming seven smaller companies. You get one point for each, which you can name.
58. What was the last film to feature all six Python members before Graham Chapman’s death
59. Chrysler introduced one of the first minivans in 1983. What was it called?
60. This cartoon featured a police inspector with various bionic parts built into his body. His nemesis, Dr. Claw, sent him on missions to thwart plans. Name that law enforcement officer
61. Name the woman on the Space Shuttle Challenger, which lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center on June 18, 1983.
62. Who played the role of Sheriff Buford T. Justice of Texas?
63. This chicken-based McDonalds food has become a staple on their menu. What are they called?
64. These toys caused retail riots for Christmas shoppers in 1983. What were they?
65. Name the Disney classic re-released in 1983 and made $30 million at the box office
66. What was the best-selling 12-inch single of all time?
67. Name the first man-made object to leave the solar system.
68. Who was the first African American to be crowned Miss America?
69. This was Natalie Woods’ final film, released two years after her death. Name the film.
70. This television crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. Who were they
71. Name the book series about identical twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield living in the fictional Sweet Valley, California.
72. Who was the Pope in 1983?
73. Name the James Bond films released in 1983.
74. Name the 1983 American neo-noir action thriller film, the fourth in the Dirty Harry series
75. Sudden Impact gave us a phrase still used today. Say that phrase.
76. On the third Monday in January, this was declared a Federal Holiday. What is that special day?
77. This “high-brow” monthly magazine of popular culture, fashion, and current affairs is published by Condé Nast. Name that periodical
78. What 1983 film included Clark, Ellen, Audrey, and Rusty Griswold?
79. Who was the television character who said, “I love it when a plan comes together.”
80. On what continent was the world’s lowest-ever natural temperature, -128.6 °F recorded?
81. Who won the World Series in 1983?
82. The language these creatures speak in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983) is a mixture of Tibetan and Nepalese languages. Name that species.
83. James Earl Jones provided the voice for Darth Vader. Who provided the physical body?
Trivia Team Bonus Questions:
1. While making Return of the Jedi, they used a working title to throw journalists and fans off. What was the working title?
2. Superman restores the Leaning Tower of Pisa at the end of this film. Name that film.
3. Cujo is a 1983 American horror film based on Stephen King’s 1981 novel. What type of dog is Cujo?
4. Name the Newspaper that published the headline “Headless Body in Topless Bar” in 1983.
5. Who were Time Magazine’s “Men of the Year” 1983?
6. Name a 1983 film that included Nicolas Cage, Deborah Foreman, and Elizabeth Daily as teens in the San Fernando Valley.
7. Who was the first woman to serve as the transportation secretary?
8. The cast in this 1983 film danced in the kitchen to “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” by The Temptations. Name that film.
9. Released in 1983, this font was widely used in the 2009 film, Avatar. Name that font.
10. What product did the Duke Brothers want to “corner the market” in the film Trading Places?
83 Trivia Answers For 1983 History
1. Actor and executive producer LeVar Burton hosted this PBS show. Name that program.
Reading Rainbow
2. Name the film that asked, “Shall we play a game?”
WarGames
3. Kevin Costner was seen in this film briefly as a corpse. Name that film.
The Big Chill
4. This primetime concert special introduced Michael Jackson’s moonwalk. Name that event.
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
5. Name the TV show that featured Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober, and Red
Fraggle Rock
6. This film featured Debra Winger, Shirley MacLaine, Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Jeff Daniels, and John Lithgow and won five Oscars. Name that film.
Terms of Endearment
7. Who plays the role of Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop?
Eddie Murphy
8. Who plays the role of Detective Billy Rosewood in Beverly Hills Cop?
Judge Reinhold
9. The game’s name comes from a Swahili word that means ‘to build or construct.’ Name the game.
HINT: 54 blocks
Jenga (“kujenga”)
10. Who hosted Star Search from 1983 to 1995?
Ed McMahon
11. What team won the Super Bowl in 1983?
Washington Redskins
12. Nancy Reagan appeared on this show to kick off her “Just Say No” anti-drug campaign. What show?
Diff’rent Strokes
13. Who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983?
Lech Walesa
14. On what planet do the Ewoks live?
Endor
15. Name the Star Wars character who famously said, “It’s a trap!”
Admiral Ackbar
16. What was the biggest song of 1983?
Every Breath You Take by The Police
17. When was Lake Mead, the reservoir behind Hoover Dam in Nevada/Arizona, last at peak capacity?
1983
18. Who sang “The kid is not my son” in a number-one hit in 1983?
Michael Jackson (in Billie Jean)
19. This dance/drama film was about Alex Owens, an eighteen-year-old welder at a steel mill in Pittsburgh. Name that film.
Flashdance
20. Flashdance produced two number-one hits. You get one point for each, which you can name.
Flashdance… What a Feeling by Irene Cara and Maniac by Michael Sembello
21. Who was the biggest musical artist of 1983?
Michael Jackson
22. What was the name of Bob Ross’s show?
The Joy of Painting
23. This 1983 film was a sequel to Saturday Night Fever. Name that film.
Staying Alive
24. Staying Alive starred John Travolta, but who directed it?
Sylvester Stallone
25. This company launched in 1983 as the Control Video Corporation. It changed its name and was the biggest home internet service in the world by the mid-1990s. Name the company.
AOL (America Online)
26. Starring Burt Reynolds, this film was adapted from the 1973 novel Stand on It, an autobiography of a fictional driver. Name the film.
Stroker Ace
27. Thomas Sullivan Magnum IV was a private investigator on this CBS program. Name the show.
Magnum P.I. (played by Tom Selleck)
28. Today, this company, founded in 1983, includes QuickBooks, Credit Karma, and Mailchimp among its products. Name that company.
Intuit
29. More than 125 million people watched the finale of this show. Name it.
M*A*S*H
30. This sitcom television series was a spin-off and continuation of M*A*S*H. It lasted 2 seasons. Name that show.
AfterMASH
31. Who was the President in 1983?
Ronald Reagan (January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989)
32. This show starred Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner, as divorced housewife Amanda King and top-level “Agency” operative Lee Stetson; it aired from 1983 to 1987. Name that show.
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
33. Name the 1983 film considered to be Tom Cruise’s breakout role.
Risky Business
34. Who was Tom Cruise’s female co-star in Risky Business?
Rebecca De Mornay
35. President Reagan proposed a missile defense system that was “decades away from reality.” What was it commonly called?
“Star Wars”
36. Which products were NOT (average) priced at 99 cents per pound in 1983?
Grapes, Duck, Watermelon or Bacon
Watermelon – 19 cents/lb
37. This film comedy featured the characters Louis Winthorpe III and Billy Ray Valentine.
Trading Places
38. What was the DynaTAC 8000X?
The first commercially available mobile phone, made by Motorola.
39. Space Shuttle Challenger carried the first African-American astronaut into space. Name him.
Guion S. Bluford
40. Introduced in 1983, this has become one of The Price Is Right’s most popular pricing games. Name it.
Plinko
41. One word: Norm! Name the show.
Cheers
42. In A Christmas Story, what did Ralphie want for Christmas?
Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle.
43. Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems was first released in October 1983, but it was better known by what other name?
Microsoft Word 1.0
44. Who were the NBA Champions in 1983?
Philadelphia 76ers
45. Who was the host of Reading Rainbow on PBS?
Levar Burton
46. Who was the Vice-President in 1983?
George H. W. Bush (January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989)
47. What was the best-selling fiction book of 1983?
Return of the Jedi Storybook, adapted by Joan D. Vinge
48. Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney had two songs together that ruled the pop charts in 1983. You get one point for each, which you can name.
Say, Say, Say, and The Girl Is Mine
49. This TV show featured orphan Webster Long and his adoptive parents, George and Katherine Papadopoulos. Name that sitcom.
Webster
50. Who played the role of Webster?
Emmanuel Lewis
51. Who were the Stanley Cup Champions in 1983?
New York Islanders
52. This TV show, which ran for 130 episodes, was a spin-off from a Carol Burnett Show sketch. Name the show.
Mama’s Family
53. Who was NOT born in 1983?
Ashley Tisdale, Carrie Underwood, Michelle Branch, or Adam Driver
Ashley Tisdale (born July 2, 1985)
54. Name the film that gave Michael Keaton his first leading role.
Mr. Mom
55. What was the second-best-selling album of 1983?
Business As Usual by Men At Work
56. What was the Third-best-selling album of 1983?
Synchronicity by The Police
57. AT&T was broken up in an antitrust action, forming seven smaller companies. You get one point for each you can name.
Ameritech, Bell Atlantic, BellSouth, NYNEX, Pacific Telesis, Southwestern Bell, and US West
58. What was the last film to feature all six Python members before Graham Chapman’s death?
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life
59. Chrysler introduced one of the first minivans in 1983. What was it called?
Dodge Caravan
60. This cartoon featured a police inspector with various bionic parts built into his body. His nemesis, Dr. Claw, sent him on missions to thwart plans. Name that law enforcement officer.
Inspector Gadget
61. Name the woman on the Space Shuttle Challenger, which lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center on June 18, 1983.
Sally Ride
62. Who played the role of Sheriff Buford T. Justice of Texas?
Jackie Gleason (In Smokey and The Bandit I, II, and III)
63. This chicken-based McDonalds food has become a staple on their menu. What are they called?
Chicken McNuggets
64. These toys caused retail riots for Christmas shoppers in 1983. What were they?
Cabbage Patch Dolls
65. Name the Disney classic re-released in 1983 and made $30 million at the box office.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
66. What was the best-selling 12-inch single of all time?
Blue Monday by New Order
67. Name the first man-made object to leave the solar system.
NASA’s Pioneer 10
68. Who was the first African American to be crowned Miss America?
Vanessa Williams
69. This was Natalie Woods’ final film, released two years after her death. Name the film.
Brainstorm
70. This television crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. Who were they?
The A-Team
71. Name the book series about identical twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield living in the fictional Sweet Valley, California.
Sweet Valley High
72. Who was the Pope in 1983?
John Paul II (October 16, 1978 – April 2, 2005)
73. Name the James Bond films released in 1983.
Octopussy (Roger Moore) and Never Say Never Again (Sean Connery)
74. Name the 1983 American neo-noir action thriller film, the fourth in the Dirty Harry series.
Sudden Impact
75. Sudden Impact gave us a phrase still used today. Say that phrase.
“Go ahead, make my day.”
76. On the third Monday in January, this was declared a Federal Holiday. What is that special day?
Martin Luther King Day
77. This “high-brow” monthly magazine of popular culture, fashion, and current affairs is published by Condé Nast. Name that periodical
Vanity Fair
78. What 1983 film included Clark, Ellen, Audrey, and Rusty Griswold?
National Lampoon’s Vacation
79. Who was the television character who said, “I love it when a plan comes together.”
John “Hannibal” Smith on The A-Team
80. On what continent was the world’s lowest-ever natural temperature, -128.6 °F recorded?
Antarctica
81. Who won the World Series in 1983?
Baltimore Orioles
82. The language these creatures speak in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983) is a mixture of Tibetan and Nepalese languages. Name that species.
The Ewoks
83. James Earl Jones provided the voice for Darth Vader. Who provided the physical body?
David Prowse
Trivia Team Bonus Questions:
1. While making Return of the Jedi, they used a working title to throw journalists and fans off. What was the working title?
Blue Harvest
2. Superman restores the Leaning Tower of Pisa at the end of this film. Name that film.
Superman III
3. Cujo is a 1983 American horror film based on Stephen King’s 1981 novel. What type of dog is Cujo?
St. Bernard
4. Name the Newspaper that published the headline “Headless Body in Topless Bar” in 1983.
The New York Post
5. Who were Time Magazine’s “Men of the Year” 1983?
Ronald Reagan and Yuri Andetopov
6. Name a 1983 film that included Nicolas Cage, Deborah Foreman, and Elizabeth Daily as teens in the San Fernando Valley.
Valley Girl
7. Who was the first woman to serve as the transportation secretary?
Elizabeth Dole
8. The cast in this 1983 film danced in the kitchen to “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” by The Temptations. Name that film.
The Big Chill
9. Released in 1983, this font was widely used in the 2009 film, Avatar. Name that font.
Papyrus
10. What product did the Duke Brothers want to “corner the market” in the film Trading Places?
Frozen concentrated orange juice