The 1980s was a significant decade for pop culture, and Family Guy took it to their advantage to create some awesome references for today's young audiences. They might not get the jokes as they were before their time, but for those who grew up in the 80s, the references were a fresh reimagination from the writers.
References also add curiosity and interest to the decade, as Gen Z and younger fans want to check out what shaped it and, hopefully, learn its history. Being a kid in the '80s was the best, but it was not without its fears. There was the AIDS epidemic, political crisis, and the USSR breaking up and finally dissolving in 1991. It was definitely a page in the books and not one that should be torn out.
What 80s classics become part of Family Guy's lore? Let's break it down.
5 of the best 1980s references in Family Guy
Back To The Future
Season 8
The 1985 sci-fi movie Back To The Future has zipped into Family Guy's storylines multiple times over the years. A famous reference was made in season 5's Meet The Quagmires," when Brian performed the track "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley.
Fast-forward three seasons later, and you'll see Peter riding on his skateboard in the style of Marty McFly scene-to-scene. It's pretty funny, especially when you see a grown man acting like a teenage.
Fast Times At Ridgemont High
Season 11
Fast Times At Ridgemont High was another movie parodied throughout Family Guy. It's a coming-of-age film for teens from the era, and it explores heavily on the exaggerated high school life. But that's what made Fast Times memorable and a staple of '80s pop culture.
In season 11's "Criss Cross," Peter recreates the phone scene with Mike Damone (Robert Romanus) when he's out on a date with Lois. The editors done an excellent job incorporating the film clips into the scene with smooth transition.
The Quahog Girls (The Golden Girls)
Season 15
What's more iconic than The Golden Girls, who defined the 1980s with their ahead-of-their-time narratives and push for women's rights? Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia provide serious and delightful humor.
In a tribute to the actresses who portrayed these characters and The Golden Girls, Lois and her friends became their versions of Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia, complete with the theme song and traits. They were called the Quahog Girls.
Gremlins
Season 18
Gremlins is probably one of the best 1980s sci-fi movies to grace our lifetime. It had a cute Mogwai named Gizmo, action, and the rich irony that still lives on today. Any kid of the decade will adopt it into their own personal lingo, because culture was its own influencer.
As for the movie tie-in, Stewie becomes one of the horrid Gremlins when his time machine goes weird during an experiment. He even behaves like the creature with destruction and aggression. Eventually, Stewie reverted to his former self, and his brief metamorphic as a Gremlin was never mentioned again.
"Fat Gun" (Top Gun)
Season 23
Season 23 opened with another 1980s parody. This time, it's Top Gun, which couldn't be better suited for Family Guy. In the episode, which has been titled "Fat Gun," Peter and the Quahog citizens are remade as the Top Gun characters. The plotlines follow those of the 1986 movie, and Tiny Tom Cruise pops in at the end for a theatrical effect.
If the rest of season 23 is just as strong as its premiere, we'll be very entertained.