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What Happened In 1986?1986 Trivia: Test Your Knowledge of This Unforgettable Year in Pop Culture!Table of Contents 1986 was a year of groundbreaking moments in movies, music, TV, and world events. From iconic blockbusters to legendary music releases and historical milestones, this year was packed with moments that shaped the cultural landscape. Whether you’re a trivia enthusiast or just love reliving the ’80s, this page is the ultimate challenge for anyone looking to test their knowledge of 1986. Think you can ace it? Answer questions like: Which sci-fi sequel broke box office records and terrified audiences? What rock anthem became a defining song of the decade? Which hit TV show debuted in 1986, capturing hearts with its relatable humor? And what historic event brought space exploration into sharp focus for the entire world? Here’s some bonus trivia to get you started:
1986 also marked cultural milestones like the launch of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the rise of Nintendo’s dominance in the gaming market, and the debut of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, a film that became an anthem for teenage rebellion. Whether you’re preparing for a trivia night, diving into the nostalgia of the ’80s, or simply looking to learn something new, this page has all the iconic moments and quirky facts you need to relive 1986. So, are you ready to test your knowledge and see if you’re a true ’80s expert? Take the quiz now and celebrate one of the most unforgettable years in pop culture history! |
86 Trivia Questions For 1986 History(answers) 1. This film starred David Bowie as The Goblin King. Name that film. 2. Name the film that introduced Newt and Jonsey (Jones). 3. Name the highest-grossing film of 1986. 5. Megan, Spike, Paradise, and Gutsy were all characters in this children’s program. Name that animated show. 6. Who was the biggest musical artist of 1986? 7. Name the two primary characters in Moonlighting. 10. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1986? 11. You get one point for each of Dionne’s three friends who sang it with her. 12. TV Question. What does ALF stand for? 13. This character was the protagonist of the 1986 novel by Winston Groom, Robert Zemeckis’ 1994 film of the same name. Who? 14. Name the popular children’s edutainment franchise that features Ms. Valerie Frizzle and her class. 15. How many people lived in the World in 1986? 16. This film was based on a Marvel Comics character created by Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik in 1973. 17. What planet is ALF originally from? 18. This film and media franchise started in 1986. The clue is “There Can Only Be One.” 19. This microwave snack was introduced by General Mills in 1986. Name it. 20. Although filmed in Los Angeles, where did the girls live in The Golden Girls? 21. What 1986 film gave us the phrase “Game over, man! Game over!”? 22. This singing quintet included Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. Name that group. 23. In what film did the character Mick Dundee first appear? 24. Who played the role of Mick Dundee? 25. Who chanted, “Ancient Spirits of Evil, transform this decayed form into Mumm-Ra, the Ever-Living?” 26. What was the name of the evil entity in Stephen King’s It? 27. Shigeru Miyamoto created this video game character for a popular 1986 game. 28. What 1986 horror-comedy featured Jeff Goldblum as a man transforming into an insect? 29. Michael Jackson started to make headlines in the tabloids for his “odd behavior.” What became his press nickname in 1986? 30. Professional vocalists performed the soundtrack for this animated show, and it became a fan favorite, with over 150 original tracks created from 1985 to 1988. Name that program. 31. This nickname started to be used for Red Sox fans during the 1986 World Series against the Mets. Name that term. 32. What animated series featuring humanoid turtles debuted in 1986? 33. What video game company introduced the NES in the U.S. in 1986? 34. What animated movie featuring Orson Welles in his final role? 35. How many people lived in the United States in 1986? 36. Can you name the third model in the Macintosh computer line? 37. What doll became a cultural phenomenon in 1986, each with a unique birth certificate? 38. What 1986 John Hughes film features Molly Ringwald on an awkward date at the prom? 39. Name the band that released Slippery When Wet. 40. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1986? 41. What were the names of the two leaders Popples in the TV show? 42. This comic book (and movie) included characters Hollis T. Mason, a member of the crimefighting team the Minutemen, and the second – Daniel “Dan” Dreiberg. What was their shared superhero name? 43. These animated fruits sang “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” in commercials. What fruit? 44. Name the character who was a fictional spokesman who starred in a series of 1980s television advertisements for a Japanese car and truck brand. 45. Where did The Care Bear Cousins live? 46. Who said, “Well, isn’t that special?” 47. What was the biggest hit by American R&B artist, writer, and producer Gregory Abbott? 48. Name the band who told us You Gotta Fight for Your Right To Party! 49. The Pleasant Company first released these 18-inch-high dolls in 1986. Name that doll brand. 50. Who was People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1986? 51. You get one point for each of the nicknames you can name: Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, and Val Kilmer in Top Gun. 52. What aircraft carrier was the team from Top Gun based on? 53. This smaller food product was an innovation made in 1986 by California farmer Mike Yurosek. 54. In what country did most of Crocodile Dundee take place? 55. Who won the World Series in 1986? 56. What two songs does Matthew Broderick lip sync to in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off? 57. Andy Griffith played a renowned, folksy yet cantankerous defense attorney on this TV Show. 58. This popular franchise is based on a series of eight fantasy novels and 15 short stories by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Name that brand. 59. Name the animated lead character in 1986’s An American Tail. 60. What country won the World Cup in 1986? 61. Who directed Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home? 62. Name the American city that was featured in Star Trek IV. 63. Who were the Stanley Cup Champions in 1986? 64. What was the name of Pee-wee Herman’s talking chair? 65. What was ALF’s real name? 66. Name the TV show that featured Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober, and Red. 67. This was the first film of a trilogy of Vietnam War films directed by Stone, followed by Born on the Fourth of July (1989) and Heaven & Earth (1993). 68. Introduced in 1986, this G.I. Joe character was modeled on an American professional wrestling character. Name that wrestler. 69. What television network aired The Berenstain Bears Show on Saturday mornings from 1985 to 1987? 70. Who directed 1986’s Labyrinth? 71. Only three television shows have ranked number one in Nielsen ratings for five consecutive seasons. Can you name the television show from the 1980s that achieved this feat? 72. This 1986 comedy starred Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Judge Reinhold, and Helen Slater. Name that film. 73. Cheetos snacks gained a mascot in 1986. Can you name him? 74. Who was the President in 1986? 75. What team won the Super Bowl in 1986? 76. Can you name the annoying mascot introduced in 1986 by Domino’s Pizza? 77. Character actor David Leisure was the spokesperson for what car company? 78. In 1986, what was the average life expectancy in the United States? 79. Who was the Pope in 1986? 80. Who were the NBA Champions in 1986? 81. Name the syndicated by Chronicle Features and Universal Press Syndicate, which ran from December 31, 1979, to January 1, 1995. 82. Prince Adam (He-Man) had a twin sister. What was her name? 83. Character actor Michael Vale played the spokesman for Dunkin’ Donuts in the 1980s and 90s. What was his character’s name? 84. Name the film starring Eddie Murphy as Chandler Jarrell, a social worker who is informed that he is “The Chosen One”. 85. What is the name of the green ghost that became the Ghostbusters mascot in the TV series? 86. Who was the Vice-President in 1986? 87. Who played the role of Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood in Top Gun? 88. What was the full name of the TV show starring Pee-wee Herman from 1986 to 1990? 89. Jem and The Holograms had two rival bands. You get one point for each, which you can name. Bonus Team Trivia Questions: 1. Who was the actress who voiced Jem? 2. Can you name the comedic character actor with a career spanning the 1930s to 1980s who used the phrase: “EEE-Yeeeeeeeeesssss?” 3. Although set in Okinawa, where was the film The Karate Kid Part II shot? 4. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1986? 5. This 1986 film featured cameos from Kurt Vonnegut and the band Oingo Boingo. 6. This comic book superhero, created by Ben Edlund, had a cartoon series on FOX and a live-action show on Amazon Prime. His catchphrase was “Spoon!” Name the character. 7. In 1986, Coca-Cola introduced its “C-c-c-catch the wave!” promotion. Who was the artificial spokesman who said it? 8. How old was David the Gnome? 9. Why was the show called The Real Ghostbusters instead of “Ghostbusters”? 10. In secondary roles, This 1986 film featured Jeffrey Jones, Cindy Pickett, Edie McClurg, Lyman Ward, and Charlie Sheen. Name that film. 86 Trivia Questions Answers For 1986 History(answers) 1. This film starred David Bowie as The Goblin King. Name that film. 2. Name the film that introduced Newt and Jonsey (Jones). 3. Name the highest-grossing film of 1986. 5. Megan, Spike, Paradise, and Gutsy were all characters in this children’s program. Name that animated show. 6. Who was the biggest musical artist of 1986? 7. Name the two primary characters in Moonlighting. 10. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1986? 11. You get one point for each of Dionne’s three friends who sang it with her. 12. TV Question. What does ALF stand for? 13. This character was the protagonist of the 1986 novel by Winston Groom, Robert Zemeckis’ 1994 film of the same name. Who? 14. Name the popular children’s edutainment franchise that features Ms. Valerie Frizzle and her class. 15. How many people lived in the World in 1986? 16. This film was based on a Marvel Comics character created by Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik in 1973. 17. What planet is ALF originally from? 18. This film and media franchise started in 1986. The clue is “There Can Only Be One.” 19. This microwave snack was introduced by General Mills in 1986. Name it. 20. Although filmed in Los Angeles, where did the girls live in The Golden Girls? 21. What 1986 film gave us the phrase “Game over, man! Game over!”? 22. This singing quintet included Jordan Knight, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. Name that group. 23. In what film did the character Mick Dundee first appear? 24. Who played the role of Mick Dundee? 25. Who chanted, “Ancient Spirits of Evil, transform this decayed form into Mumm-Ra, the Ever-Living?” 26. What was the name of the evil entity in Stephen King’s It? 27. Shigeru Miyamoto created this video game character for a popular 1986 game. 28. What 1986 horror-comedy featured Jeff Goldblum as a man transforming into an insect? 29. Michael Jackson started to make headlines in the tabloids for his “odd behavior.” What became his press nickname in 1986? 30. Professional vocalists performed the soundtrack for this animated show, and it became a fan favorite, with over 150 original tracks created from 1985 to 1988. Name that program. 31. This nickname started to be used for Red Sox fans during the 1986 World Series against the Mets. Name that term. 32. What animated series featuring humanoid turtles debuted in 1986? 33. What video game company introduced the NES in the U.S. in 1986? 34. What animated movie featuring Orson Welles in his final role? 35. How many people lived in the United States in 1986? 36. Can you name the third model in the Macintosh computer line? 37. What doll became a cultural phenomenon in 1986, each with a unique birth certificate? 38. What 1986 John Hughes film features Molly Ringwald on an awkward date at the prom? 39. Name the band that released Slippery When Wet. 40. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1986? 41. What were the names of the two leaders Popples in the TV show? 42. This comic book (and movie) included characters Hollis T. Mason, a member of the crimefighting team the Minutemen, and the second – Daniel “Dan” Dreiberg. What was their shared superhero name? 43. These animated fruits sang “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” in commercials. What fruit? 44. Name the character who was a fictional spokesman who starred in a series of 1980s television advertisements for a Japanese car and truck brand. 45. Where did The Care Bear Cousins live? 46. Who said, “Well, isn’t that special?” 47. What was the biggest hit by American R&B artist, writer, and producer Gregory Abbott? 48. Name the band who told us You Gotta Fight for Your Right To Party! 49. The Pleasant Company first released these 18-inch-high dolls in 1986. Name that doll brand. 50. Who was People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1986? 51. You get one point for each of the nicknames you can name: Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, and Val Kilmer in Top Gun. 52. What aircraft carrier was the team from Top Gun based on? 53. This smaller food product was an innovation made in 1986 by California farmer Mike Yurosek. 54. In what country did most of Crocodile Dundee take place? 55. Who won the World Series in 1986? 56. What two songs does Matthew Broderick lip sync to in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off? 57. Andy Griffith played a renowned, folksy yet cantankerous defense attorney on this TV Show. 58. This popular franchise is based on a series of eight fantasy novels and 15 short stories by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Name that brand. 59. Name the animated lead character in 1986’s An American Tail. 60. What country won the World Cup in 1986? 61. Who directed Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home? 62. Name the American city that was featured in Star Trek IV. 63. Who were the Stanley Cup Champions in 1986? 64. What was the name of Pee-wee Herman’s talking chair? 65. What was ALF’s real name? 66. Name the TV show that featured Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober, and Red. 67. This was the first film of a trilogy of Vietnam War films directed by Stone, followed by Born on the Fourth of July (1989) and Heaven & Earth (1993). 68. Introduced in 1986, this G.I. Joe character was modeled on an American professional wrestling character. Name that wrestler. 69. What television network aired The Berenstain Bears Show on Saturday mornings from 1985 to 1987? 70. Who directed 1986’s Labyrinth? 71. Only three television shows have ranked number one in Nielsen ratings for five consecutive seasons. Can you name the television show from the 1980s that achieved this feat? 72. This 1986 comedy starred Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Judge Reinhold, and Helen Slater. Name that film. 73. Cheetos snacks gained a mascot in 1986. Can you name him? 74. Who was the President in 1986? 75. What team won the Super Bowl in 1986? 76. Can you name the annoying mascot introduced in 1986 by Domino’s Pizza? 77. Character actor David Leisure was the spokesperson for what car company? 78. In 1986, what was the average life expectancy in the United States? 79. Who was the Pope in 1986? 80. Who were the NBA Champions in 1986? 81. Name the syndicated by Chronicle Features and Universal Press Syndicate, which ran from December 31, 1979, to January 1, 1995. 82. Prince Adam (He-Man) had a twin sister. What was her name? 83. Character actor Michael Vale played the spokesman for Dunkin’ Donuts in the 1980s and 90s. What was his character’s name? 84. Name the film starring Eddie Murphy as Chandler Jarrell, a social worker who is informed that he is “The Chosen One”. 85. What is the name of the green ghost that became the Ghostbusters mascot in the TV series? 86. Jem and The Holograms had two rival bands. You get one point for each, which you can name. Bonus Team Trivia Questions: 1. Who was the actress who voiced Jem? 2. Can you name the comedic character actor with a career spanning the 1930s to 1980s who used the phrase: “EEE-Yeeeeeeeeesssss?” 3. Although set in Okinawa, where was the film The Karate Kid Part II shot? 4. What Horse won the Kentucky Derby in 1986? 5. This 1986 film featured cameos from Kurt Vonnegut and the band Oingo Boingo. 6. This comic book superhero, created by Ben Edlund, had a cartoon series on FOX and a live-action show on Amazon Prime. His catchphrase was “Spoon!” Name the character. 7. In 1986, Coca-Cola introduced its “C-c-c-catch the wave!” promotion. Who was the artificial spokesman who said it? 8. How old was David the Gnome? 9. Why was the show called The Real Ghostbusters instead of “Ghostbusters”? 10. In secondary roles, This 1986 film featured Jeffrey Jones, Cindy Pickett, Edie McClurg, Lyman Ward, and Charlie Sheen. Name that film. |
