10 1980s Movie References That Don’t Work With A Modern Audience

Sometimes, even films considered to be timeless classics can contain a line or two that aren’t quite as timeless, and that’s certainly the case with specific, dated lines of dialogue in ’80s movies that have aged poorly. With every year that goes by, more and more gags that were once laugh-out-loud hilarious become increasingly outdated, and more difficult for modern audiences to understand. Of course, this is not to say that the jokes are bad; they simply have not endured the passage of time as well as others. There’s a reason, after all, that so many ’80s movies have been remade.

From celebrity cameos, to callbacks to other films, to references to now-obscure products, these lines can take many different forms. Screenwriters must try their best to walk the fine line between keeping their dialogue culturally relevant, but not so dependent on pop culture that it is doomed to fade into obscurity. Now, even though modern audiences may not understand all of these references in ’80s movies, one can still appreciate them for the joy they once brought.

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10 Pepsi Free

Back To The Future (1985)

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Beloved rascal Marty McFly is thoroughly out of his element when he travels thirty years into the past in the classic 80s film, Back to the Future. Finding himself at a diner, Marty absentmindedly orders a Pepsi Free. Lou, the man working behind the counter, replies in a slightly irritated voice, “If you want a Pepsi, pal, you’re gonna pay for it!“

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This comedic exchange is a play on words surrounding Pepsi Free, the then-popular soft drink. Unfortunately, Pepsi Free was discontinued in 1987, just two years after the release of Back to the Future. It was later replaced with a product simply known as Caffeine-Free Pepsi.

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10/10 8.7/10 Back to the Future PG

Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown. In 1955, he meets his parents when they were his age, and must step in to make sure they wind up together before he gets back to 1985.

Director Robert Zemeckis Release Date July 3, 1985 Cast Claudia Wells , Christopher Lloyd , James Tolkan , Thomas F. Wilson , Michael J. Fox , Wendie Jo Sperber , Crispin Glover , Marc McClure , Lea Thompson Runtime 116 minutes Writers Robert Zemeckis , Bob Gale

Sadly, this means that this cleverly worded exchange is now lost on modern audiences, as most first-time viewers are now unfamiliar with the decades-old soft drink. Fortunately, the majority of Back to the Future still holds up very well, so one outdated exchange hardly impacts the reception of the film as a whole.

9 “You Mean J.R., Just Like The TV Show?”

Raising Arizona (1987)

The Coen Brothers’ 1987 comedy, Raising Arizona, is jam-packed with dialogue bound to get audiences laughing. Unfortunately, not every line has withstood the passage of time. In one exchange, H.I. (played by Nicolas Cage) mentions that he calls his newly-acquired baby “Junior.” H.I.’s friend, Evelle (played by William Forsythe), quickly chimes in, “You mean J.R.? Like the TV show?“

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Raising Arizona PG-13

Raising Arizona is a comedy film by Joel and Ethan Coen. It follows Nicholas Cage and Holly Hunter as Hi and Ed McDunnough, a former criminal and police officer who fall in love after Hi’s stay in prison. When the two get married and attempt to have a child, various complications make the process impossible. Still, when a wealthy Arizona family famously announces they’ve had quintuplets, the two decide to steal a baby for themselves.

Director Joel Coen , Ethan Coen Release Date April 10, 1987 Cast Nicolas Cage , Holly Hunter , Trey Wilson , John Goodman , William Forsythe , Sam McMurray , Frances McDormand , Randall ‘Tex’ Cobb Runtime 94 Minutes Writers Ethan Coen , Joel Coen

At the time the film was released, most viewers would have caught the humorous nod to Dallas, the popular TV drama which began in 1978, and ran all through the 80s. Evelle’s question is a direct reference to J.R. Ewing, one of the prominent characters on the show. Unfortunately, Dallas reached its end in 1991. While the show was extremely popular at the time, it is far less likely that today’s audiences would have seen it.

8 Sleeping With Prince Valium

Beetlejuice (1988)

Tim Burton’s 1988 comedy/horror film, Beetlejuice, is not one to shy away from references to other movies. However, while its references to films like The Wizard of Oz and The Exorcist are still easy for modern audiences to understand, others don’t hold up quite as well. A key example would be when Lydia (played by Winona Ryder) remarks, “You can’t scare her, she’s sleeping with Prince Valium tonight.”

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9/10 9/10 Beetlejuice PG

Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice stars Michael Keaton as the titular “bio-exorcist”, an obnoxious spirit who specializes in driving living occupants out of homes. When Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) die suddenly, they pass into the spirit realm, and must stay in their home. However, in the living world, the Deetz family purchases the house and moves in, prompting the Maitlands to enlist the help of Beetlejuice to drive them away.

Director Tim Burton Release Date March 30, 1988 Cast Catherine O’Hara , Michael Keaton , Geena Davis , Alec Baldwin , Winona Ryder , Jeffrey Jones Runtime 92 minutes Writers Michael McDowell , Larry Wilson , Warren Skaaren

Though today’s audiences may understand the tie-in to Valium, a drug designed to relax one’s nervous system, it is less likely that they’ll catch the specific reference to the comedy film, Spaceballs, which was released just one year before. Even viewers who have seen Spaceballs may not pick up on the reference, as Prince Valium was only a minor character. The Beetlejuice line may have been able to capitalize on the film’s popularity immediately following its release, but it’s bound to go over viewers’ heads today.

7 “Does Barry Manilow Know That You Raid His Wardrobe?”

The Breakfast Club (1985)

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Unfortunately, there’s a significant number of dialogue and story decisions in The Breakfast Club that have not aged particularly well. This includes one-liners like this one, when Bender asks Principal Vernon, “Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?” This question alone is enough to land Bender a spot in yet another Saturday detention.

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10/10 8/10 The Breakfast Club R

After receiving detention, a group of five high-school students bonds as they realize they have quite a bit in common despite being from different friend groups. Despite being over 35 years old, The Breakfast Club still stands as one of the quintessential movies of the ‘80s and one of director John Hughes standout films.

Director John Hughes Release Date February 15, 1985 Cast Molly Ringwald , Ally Sheedy , Anthony Michael Hall , Judd Nelson , Emilio Estevez Runtime 97 minutes Writers John Hughes

While the line was certainly a crowd-pleaser when the film was released, it loses a bit of its punch as audiences become decreasingly familiar with Barry Manilow. The “Copacabana” singer may have been a sensation in the 70s and 80s, but it’s doubtful that younger audiences today would know what he looked like. That means they must either take the time to look up what was so outrageous about his wardrobe, or simply shrug off the joke.

6 “You Sounded Like Dirty Harry Just Then”

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

Although Ferris Bueller’s Day Off still remains popular (especially among students), not all of its dialogue has proven to be as timeless as the rest of the film. A prime example of this comes during a brief scene featuring the overbearing principal, Ed Rooney (played by Jeffrey Jones), and his secretary, Grace (played by Edie McClurg).

The line is a reference to Clint Eastwood’s titular character in the Dirty Harry film series.

After Rooney angrily declares that Ferris Bueller should not be seen as a role model, Grace is visibly impressed, commenting, “Oh, Ed. You sounded like Dirty Harry just then.” The line is a reference to Clint Eastwood’s titular character in the Dirty Harry film series. The character is a stone-cold antihero, willing to pursue justice at any cost.

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9/10 7/10 Ferris Bueller’s Day Off PG-13

John Hughes’ comedy classic Ferris Bueler’s Day off follows the titular high schooler, a self-assured, charming young man who wants a day off. Going to unheard-of lengths to secure that day for himself, his girlfriend, and his best friend, he conjures up the ultimate scheme to get them out of school. However, his sister and principal are confident he’s up to no good, and his principal will embark on an equally overblown quest to expose Ferris’ truancy. 

Director John Hughes Release Date June 11, 1986 Cast Jennifer Grey , Matthew Broderick , Mia Sara , Alan Ruck , Jeffrey Jones Runtime 103 minutes Writers John Hughes

Sadly, the humorous comparison between the uptight school worker and the rogue police officer doesn’t land quite as successfully with modern audiences. Even if they have heard of the Dirty Harry films, it is decreasingly likely that they know the character well enough to understand just how absurd the comparison truly is.

5 The Kevin Bacon Cameo

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)

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Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, the 1987 buddy comedy by John Hughes, has remained a film watched every year for countless viewers around the globe. However, while its charming story and witty dialogue have held up over time, one early scene does not pack the same punch that it once did. Soon after the audience is introduced to Steve Martin’s character, Neil Page, a chaotic scene occurs in which Neil must race an unknown man to claim a taxi first.

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Though the character never speaks (and is credited only as “Taxi Racer”), he is played by none other than Kevin Bacon. The entire scene is a reference to the opening of the 1986 film, Quicksilver, which starred Bacon. Unlike Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Quicksilver has not managed to maintain the same level of popularity over the years.

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8/10 Planes, Trains & Automobiles pg-13

Directed by John Hughes, Planes, Trains and Automobiles stars Steve Martin as Neal Page, a busy advertising executive who finds himself the unwilling traveling companion of salesman Del Griffith as the two attempt to return to Chicago for the Thanksgiving holiday. Beset by bad weather and a continuing comedy of errors in attempting to make travel plans, Neal and Del must work together, however unwillingly, to accomplish their shared goal. John Candy also stars alongside Martin as Del. 

Director John Hughes Release Date November 25, 1987 Cast John Candy , Steve Martin , Kevin Bacon Runtime 93minutes Writers John Hughes

Because of this, the entire scene goes over the heads of most modern viewers. It is less likely that audiences today even recognize the Footloose star at all, as many of his most popular films were from the 80s and 90s. Regardless, the scene does still manage to set up the central conflict of the film, so it remains a necessary moment.

4 “Here’s Johnny!”

The Shining (1980)

Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film, The Shining, remains one of the most well-known horror movies in existence, even nearly 45 years after its initial release. Interestingly, the most frequently quoted line from the film is actually a reference that many current fans don’t even recognize. In a pivotal scene, Jack Nicholson’s character, Jack Torrance, violently uses an axe to break through the door of the bathroom where his wife is hiding.

Nicholson’s iteration of the line in
The Shining
has managed to maintain popularity in its own right.

At one point, Jack presses his face through a narrow hole in the door, and, with an eerie smile, exclaims, “Here’s Johnny!” Though the scene has remained a fan-favorite for decades, many of today’s viewers don’t even realize that the line is a reference to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. “Here’s Johnny” was originally Ed McMahon’s famous catchphrase which he would use when introducing the talk show’s host.

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10/10 9.4/10 The Shining R

Stanley Kubrick’s horror classic starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall tells the story of the Torrance family, who move to the isolated Overlook Hotel so that father Jack Torrance can act as its winter caretaker. Stuck at the hotel due to the winter storms, the malevolent supernatural forces inhabiting the building slowly begin to drive Jack insane, causing his wife and psychically gifted son to be caught up in a fight for their lives when Jack is pushed over the edge. 

Director Stanley Kubrick Release Date June 13, 1980 Cast Danny Lloyd , Shelley Duvall , Jack Nicholson , Scatman Crothers Runtime 146 minutes Writers Diane Johnson , Stanley Kubrick

Carson’s run as host of the popular late-night show came to an end in 1992, meaning audiences would no longer be hearing the line every night. Despite this, Nicholson’s iteration of the line in The Shining has managed to maintain popularity in its own right.

3 “Where’s the Beef?”

The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)

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Jim Henson’s beloved Muppets are no stranger to including pop culture references in their movies and TV shows, and The Muppets Take Manhattan is no exception. In one scene from the 1984 film, Rizzo the Rat, while working in Pete’s Luncheonette, serves a customer a cheeseburger. Upon being informed that the “cheeseburger” was only bread and cheese, Rizzo turns toward the chef and yells, “Where’s the beef?“

Audiences who lived in the 80s will recognize this as a nod to the Wendy’s commercial that quickly became a phenomenon. In the commercial, an elderly customer at an unnamed fast food restaurant is given a burger with a massive bun, but only a tiny patty.

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The Muppets Take Manhattan G

The Muppets Take Manhattan is a 1984 musical comedy film directed by Frank Oz. The movie follows Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the Muppets as they journey to New York City to bring their stage show to Broadway. Despite numerous hurdles and obstacles, the Muppets display unwavering determination and camaraderie in their ambitious endeavor. The film celebrates friendship and perseverance with music and humor.

Director Frank Oz Release Date July 13, 1984 Cast Jim Henson , Frank Oz , Dave Goelz , Steve Whitmire , Richard Hunt , Jerry Nelson , Juliana Donald , Lonny Price Writers Tom Patchett , Jay Tarses , Frank Oz

She proceeds to emphatically exclaim, “Where’s the beef?” The line quickly became a catchphrase not just for Wendy’s, but as a general statement of one’s frustration with being given an underwhelming product. Although the slogan has been revived a couple of times, it is not nearly as well-known as it once was.

2 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Airplane! (1980)

Being a spoof of various disaster movies of the 70s, Airplane! is densely packed with pop culture references. One of the most prominent references, though, is actually to a famous athlete of the era. In the film, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar makes an appearance as a man claiming to be Roger Murdock, the plane’s co-pilot.

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A child on the plane eventually recognizes him as the basketball star, causing Abdul-Jabbar to snap, exclaiming, “I’m out there busting my buns every night! Tell your old man to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes!” Abdul-Jabbar played in the NBA for twenty seasons, ending his career in 1989.

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Airplane! PG

Airplane! is a 1980 comedy film directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker. It parodies disaster films, centering on Ted Striker, a former fighter pilot dealing with a fear of flying. When an in-flight emergency strikes, Striker must confront his fears to save the passengers and crew. The film stars Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, and Leslie Nielsen, employing a mix of slapstick humor and rapid-fire jokes.

Director Jim Abrahams , David Zucker , Jerry Zucker Release Date July 2, 1980 Cast Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , Lloyd Bridges , Peter Graves , Julie Hagerty , Robert Hays , Leslie Nielsen Runtime 88 minutes Writers Arthur Hailey , Hall Bartlett , John C. Champion , Jim Abrahams , David Zucker , Jerry Zucker

The other players he references in the scene are Bill Walton and Bob Lanier, who also played basketball professionally until 1988 and 1984, respectively. While fans of the NBA would be familiar with all of these players, it is less likely that their names would be as well-known by society as a whole nowadays. Modern audiences can infer that these were all-star athletes of their era, but the jokes don’t land as well without having actually seen them play.

1 “That’s My Name, Don’t Wear It Out.”

Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

It’s no secret that Pee-wee Herman, played by the late, great Paul Reubens, isn’t exactly the coolest character to grace the screen. However, during an exchange with the bully, Francis, in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, the character has a sudden boost of confidence as he rebuffs Francis for trying to take his beloved bicycle.

After the frustrated bully yells his name, Pee-wee snidely replies, “That’s my name, don’t wear it out.” While the expression has become widely used as a form of playground retort, Pee-wee’s cocky delivery is an homage to the 1978 film, Grease.

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Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure PG

Pee-Wee is an eccentric man with childish behavior. He embarks on the greatest adventure of his life when he sets off in search of his most precious possession: his red bicycle, which has been stolen in broad daylight. Pee-Wee travels the length and breadth of the country to find it, and along the way meets new people and encounters bizarre situations.

Director Tim Burton Release Date July 26, 1985 Cast Paul Reubens , Elizabeth Daily , Mark Holton , Diane Salinger , Judd Omen , Irving Hellman Runtime 90 minutes Writers Phil Hartman , Paul Reubens , Michael Varhol

In the hit musical, Danny Zuko (played by John Travolta) says the line with a similar swagger as he attempts to make his friends believe that he is the coolest guy around. Although Grease certainly had a successful run, it is far less likely that modern audiences would recognize the callback to this one particular line.

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