Classic Movies Trivia

12 nostalgia questions about classic movies, each with four choices and the correct answer explained underneath. Read them here, or play the same set in the trivia room for instant scoring and a printable quiz sheet.

Background

Hollywood's golden age created films that still draw audiences: sweeping romances, crackling comedies, westerns, musicals and suspense classics. Going to the movies was an occasion — dressed up, with popcorn and a box of sweets.

This set of twelve questions covers well-known films and the stars who made them, from the 1930s to the 1960s. Four choices accompany each question with a short explanation of the correct answer, and the same set can be played and printed from the trivia room.

The list below is the full Classic Movies set used in the trivia room.

Play this set

In the trivia room, set the era to Mixed and the topic to Movies.
You can also combine an era and a topic to narrow a round down.
Rounds are 10 questions at a time, always with four choices.
You see the right answer and an explanation immediately after each pick.
After a round, press Print this round for a quiz sheet — questions on page one, answer key on page two.

Play in the trivia room Printing help

Questions and answers

1. In which 1939 film did Judy Garland sing 'Over the Rainbow' as Dorothy?
- AThe Wizard of Oz — correct answer
- BGone with the Wind
- CThe Philadelphia Story
- DMeet Me in St. Louis
Answer: A — The Wizard of Oz. Judy Garland sang 'Over the Rainbow' in The Wizard of Oz (1939), her signature role as Dorothy.
Did you know… In the original book, the famous slippers were silver, not ruby.
2. Which 1972 Francis Ford Coppola film is widely regarded as the greatest mob movie ever made?
- AThe Godfather — correct answer
- BGoodfellas
- CScarface
- DCasino
Answer: A — The Godfather. The Godfather (1972), starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, won the Best Picture Oscar.
Did you know… Its theme tune was written by the Italian composer Nino Rota.
3. Which 1975 Steven Spielberg thriller about a shark coined the summer blockbuster?
- AJaws — correct answer
- BClose Encounters of the Third Kind
- CE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
- DJurassic Park
Answer: A — Jaws. Jaws (1975) was the first true summer blockbuster, terrifying beachgoers everywhere.
Did you know… The mechanical shark broke down so often that it appears far less on screen than planned.
4. Who starred as Rocky Balboa in the 1976 boxing drama that won Best Picture?
- ASylvester Stallone — correct answer
- BRobert De Niro
- CJohn Travolta
- DClint Eastwood
Answer: A — Sylvester Stallone. Sylvester Stallone wrote and starred in Rocky (1976), an underdog story that won Best Picture.
Did you know… Its star wrote the screenplay himself and would not sell it without playing the lead.
5. The classic 1942 film Casablanca is set during which conflict?
- AWorld War II — correct answer
- BWorld War I
- CThe Korean War
- DThe Cold War
Answer: A — World War II. Casablanca (1942) follows Rick and Ilsa in wartime Morocco during World War II.
Did you know… Much of the cast were European actors who had left Europe during the war.
6. Which 1961 film starred Audrey Hepburn as New York socialite Holly Golightly, from a Truman Capote story?
- ABreakfast at Tiffany's — correct answer
- BRoman Holiday
- CSabrina
- DFunny Face
Answer: A — Breakfast at Tiffany's. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) made Audrey Hepburn's Holly Golightly an enduring style icon.
Did you know… The black dress from the film became one of the most copied costumes in cinema.
7. Which actress played the original Alien heroine Ellen Ripley in the 1979 sci-fi horror?
- ASigourney Weaver — correct answer
- BJamie Lee Curtis
- CLinda Hamilton
- DCarrie Fisher
Answer: A — Sigourney Weaver. Sigourney Weaver became a pioneer action heroine as Ripley in Alien (1979).
Did you know… The cast were not told what would happen in the famous scene, so their reactions were real.
8. Grease (1978) paired John Travolta with which co-star as Sandy?
- AOlivia Newton-John — correct answer
- BDiane Keaton
- CGoldie Hawn
- DDebra Winger
Answer: A — Olivia Newton-John. Olivia Newton-John played Sandy opposite John Travolta's Danny in the hit musical Grease.
Did you know… Both leads were considerably older than the school pupils they played.
9. Which 1965 musical starred Julie Andrews as singing governess Maria von Trapp?
- AThe Sound of Music — correct answer
- BMary Poppins
- CMy Fair Lady
- DWest Side Story
Answer: A — The Sound of Music. The Sound of Music (1965) won five Oscars, including Best Picture.
Did you know… The real family had already toured as a singing group before the film was made.
10. Which director, known for thrillers like Psycho (1960), was called the 'Master of Suspense'?
- AAlfred Hitchcock — correct answer
- BOrson Welles
- CBilly Wilder
- DStanley Kubrick
Answer: A — Alfred Hitchcock. Alfred Hitchcock directed Psycho, Vertigo, and North by Northwest among his suspense classics.
Did you know… He walked through nearly every one of his own films in a brief cameo.
11. In the Star Wars saga, Luke Skywalker learned the ways of the Force from which green mentor?
- AYoda — correct answer
- BObi-Wan Kenobi
- CDarth Vader
- DHan Solo
Answer: A — Yoda. The Jedi master Yoda trained Luke Skywalker in the swamps of Dagobah in The Empire Strikes Back (1980).
Did you know… The puppet was manoeuvred on set by the performer who also voiced him.
12. Which 1984 comedy starred Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd as New York scientists battling supernatural pests?
- AGhostbusters — correct answer
- BBack to the Future
- CCaddyshack
- DStripes
Answer: A — Ghostbusters. Ghostbusters (1984) became one of the biggest comedies of the decade.
Did you know… Its theme tune was a hit single on both sides of the Atlantic.

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