If These 33 '80s Memes Don’t Hit, You Weren’t There

Author image for Laurent Shinar
Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Jun 24, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

The 80s, what many consider the last great decade. And in a way (or several) it really was. Or at least it was really different to what would come soon after in the 90s. To think that these ten years represent the last moments in human history when people did not walk around with cellphones, when movies were viewed almost exclusively in the cinema, when kids played in the street, and when if you were old enough you might have been able to purchase a home for a reasonable cost.

So of course the natural response is to this bygone era being so far behind us, is to celebrate it. To remind ourselves of the things, movies, music and people who made it such a special time to be alive. And while it will not help us regress to that time, it might give us a chance to see if we can make decisions that would have made us people of the 80s proud.

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  • 01
    "Mario games teach us that even if something is essentially the same, psychologically it can be completely different. This example is very easy to understand." ARIO WORLD TIMARIO 60400 0x60 8-1 04 99850 0x60 WORLD 8-3 TIM 06.
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  • 02
    Adults having breakfast at a friend's apartment before heading off to work is the biggest lie television ever told me
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  • 03
    JULES What'd they call it ? EDCAR Royal with cheese. JULES X sham (repeating) dot Royal with cheese. What's they call a Big Mac? Big Mac's 2 "Le Big Mac". EDGAR Big Mac, but they call it a JULES C JE DAJ Stockhom "Le Big Mac (relenting)
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  • What an absolute classic this scene is. You have to wonder a little if this was a sneaky way for McDonald's to boost their sales in France, or if it was a way to encourage more people to visit France and then eat at a McDonald’s there. Either way, the scene will live in our hearts and minds for many decades to come. 
    Wait.. Vincent was originally called Edgar?! 

  • 04
    Ferris Bueller took the day off on June 5, 1985 Ferris Bueller's Day Off/ Paramount How could I possibly be expected to handle school on a day like this?
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  • 05
    Me: *texts my dad an important life update* Dad: EX
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  • 06
    Not a cellphone in sight. Just ppl living in the moment.
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  • 07
    Data, why is there a man clinging to the hull of our ship at warp speed? Made by GB It appears to be Tom Cruise, sir. He is filming Mission Impossible part 421.
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  • 08
    Part of growing up is understanding why Rico should have chosen Dizzy over Carmen
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  • 09
    "Do you use iPhone or android?" Me: Garfield Telephone A real phone that's real fun! TYCO Pulse/Tone Switchable-Re-dial in Pulse Mode FCC approved-Dimensions: 11x7x5 Tyear limited warranty NON-HEARING AID COMPATIBLE (See enclosed literature regarding restrictions on use) TYCO N PLZ Sw 309.05 with any 30.00 Lift the receiver, GARFIELD' wakes up! Hang up and he goes back to sleep! GARFIELD, © 1972 1901 Led F system
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  • 10
    I still can't believe that 10 years ago we dressed like this
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  • So for context, the scene above was supposed to take place in the year 2015 (the future in the movie), and this is supposedly how we dressed. Thankful is what we are that humanity some how side stepping this premonitionary promise of hideous fashion. Perhaps we have Marty Mcfly changing the past and future to thank for that. Who knows.

  • 11
    NO WAY TO AVEN There's 28 movies hidden in this picture. Just name one. Don't ruin it for everyone and name them all. LOL D JUMANJI www.w w- Bark
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  • 12
    It's 1987 which movie you watching Cha Mall Radio Shack VALLEY4PLEX THE LOST BOYS 2 ROBOCOP 3 PREDATOR 4 FULL METAL JACKET
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  • 13
    So? Avirus is making people forget 80s rock bands Nobody knows The Cure
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  • 14
    I need something robust, precise. TEES 008660 Fo....
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  • 15
    You think it's gonna be an early spring? 22 I'm predicting March 21st.
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  • 16
    Good guess! You know, I think that actually is the first day of spring.
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  • 17
    Would you rather get hunted down by the Terminator or the Predator?
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  • 18
    Shane @McClellandShane • 1d My dream workplace is the Unsolved Mysteries call center UNSOLVED mysteries
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  • 19
    When someone at works tries to give me advice, but their birth year starts with a 2
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  • 20
    In the 80s & 90s they didn't even build a new school. They just hauled these in & said go learn something, trailer park children.
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  • 21
    It's over Johnny. The '80s are over. Nothing is over! Nothing!
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  • 22
    Me walking into the Scholastic Book Fair with $20 in my pocket about to buy 6 goosebumps and a Lamborghini poster
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  • 23
    Did you know Mortal Kombat is actually based on an old Scandinavian church song? Yes, a Finnish hymn. Wait, really?
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  • 24
    Her: You smell so good what are you wearing? 7151024 SUPER ARIO BROS MARIO SHAMPOO ARTREE SUPER MARIO BRAS MARIO SHAMPOO Nintendo Nintendo @thenespage IS FL. OZ
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  • 25
    Sarah Connor seeing you become friends with ChatGPT
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  • 26
    Her: He's probably thinking about other women... Him: how did the Back to the Future makeup artists know exactly what Biff would look like in 30 years?
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  • 27
    What are they playing?
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  • 28
    215 สอ ERICAN VIDEO 24-487 A Festivus for the rest of us.
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  • 29
    When you're wearing socks and step into something wet snackytuna
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  • 30
    Society if MTV would have just kept playing music
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  • 31
    Hard to believe we really used to carry these around SONY MODE SEEKIAMS 44 RELEASE SONY MD/CD CHANGER CONTROL CUSTOM FILE SOUND disc SOURCE 40Wx4 SHIFT OFF MAM CO PLAYER COX-CATSO LIST DSP D-BASS OFF 10
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  • 32
    SOMET I know how to shuffle music. URTESY PHONE CENTER +0 I don't think you do.
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  • 33
    It took me 23 years to realize that the dad on Jumani was also the Hunter
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you there throwback pop culture 80s memes hit dont nostalgia memes
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