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The Movies of 1989

Trivia, Word Search, and a Quiz

This year is notable for have three movies with opening weekend box office records, all set in rapid succession.

First there is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade which grosses $37 million for its 4-day Memorial Day weekend. Then three weeks later Ghostbusters II takes in $29 million for its debut weekend. While this appears to fall short of the new record, by comparing just their first 3-days, Ghostbusters II edges out Steven Spielberg's third Indiana Jones for the win.

However, that win is short-lived. Because in the following weekend Batman grosses $40 million. This would only be surpassed by its own sequel Batman Returns three years later.

Here's some more trivia from the world of cinema in 1989:

  • People born this year include Anton Yelchin and Mia Wasikowska. These two would later star together in the gothic comedy-drama Only Lovers Left Alive (2013).
  • Daniel and William Baldwin make their big screen debuts in the anti-war drama Born on the Fourth of July, as do Martin Lawrence and Rosie Perez in the drama Do the Right Thing, Bebe Neuwirth in the teen romantic comedy Say Anything, Rene Russo in the sports comedy Major League, Adam Sandler in the slapstick comedy Going Overboard, Molly Shannon in the horror drama The Phantom of the Opera, Skeet Ulrich in the black comedy Weekend at Bernie's, and Elijah Wood in the epic adventure Back to the Future Part II.
  • Morgan Freeman has his breakthrough role as an African-American chauffeur opposite Jessica Tandy in the Best Picture winner Driving Miss Daisy.
  • On March 4, Time Inc. and Warner Communications announce their plans to merge to create Time Warner, the largest media and entertainment conglomerate in the world.
  • Laurence Olivier, who starred in Rebecca (1940), voice-actor Mel Blanc, and actor Jim Backus all die within a single week in July. Also dying this year are comedy actresses Gilda Radner and Lucille Ball of television fame.

1989 Movies Word Search

The movies in the following two word searches were movies released in 1989. Just like all the movies on this page (unless otherwise noted).

The first word search is easy: 20 movie titles hidden in a small 22 × 20 letter grid. The second is more challenging: 36 movie titles in a large 34 × 32 letter grid.

So load your printer with standard 8.5" × 11" paper, download, hit print and start solving. Our PDF files print out beautifully and are always free to download on our site.

[direct link]

More Word Searches

These word search puzzles are on particular movies from 1989. They each have 36 terms hidden in a large 34 × 32 letter grid.

Batman Parenthood Lethal Weapon 2 Look Who's Talking

10 Question Quiz on 1989 Movies

How well do you know what came out on the Silver Screen in 1989? Take our quiz and find out. There's no time limit and no scoring. Just have fun!

1. In the original script for Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, the time machine was a 1969 Chevy van. But the filmmakers ultimately opted to use something else to transport Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter through history. What was it?

A. Closet
B. Toy chest
C. Phone booth
D. Tanning booth

2. Steel Magnolias is about a group of women and the bond they share, played by Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Daryl Hannah, and Julia Roberts. Which one of these actresses was unavailable for the movie poster shoot, which resulted in the production team later superimposing her head onto the body of a stand-in?

A. MacLaine
B. Dukakis
C. Parton
D. Roberts

3. What is Sea of Love, starring Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin, about?

A. Pirates
B. Romeo and Juliet
C. Group of poets
D. Serial killer

4. What artifact does Harrison Ford pursue in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?

A. Crystal Skull
B. Golden Idol
C. Holy Grail
D. Ark Of The Covenant

5. Who surprisingly talks to the audience in Look Who's Talking, starring John Travolta and Kirstie Alley?

A. Mikey the baby
B. Garfield the cat
C. Herbie the car
D. Ed the horse

6. Turner & Hooch is a buddy cop movie starring Tom Hanks and who?

A. Peter Scolari
B. Kevin Bacon
C. Wilson the volleyball
D. Beasley the Dog

7. Geena Davis, Jeff Goldblum, Jim Carrey, Damon Wayans, Julie Brown, and Michael McKean all star in the musical comedy Earth Girls Are Easy. Which two were married during the production of this movie?

A. Davis & Goldblum
B. Davis & Carrey
C. Brown & Goldblum
D. Brown & McKean

8. What ultimately happens to the inspirational new English teacher John Keating, played by Robin Williams, in Dead Poets Society?

A. He dies
B. He's fired
C. He's arrested
D. He becomes headmaster

9. What does the crew of the Deep Core, an experimental underwater drilling platform, encounter in The Abyss?

A. Titanic
B. Ancient city
C. Giant whales
D. Alien ship

10. How many times does Leo Getz, played by Joe Pesci, say the word 'okay' in Lethal Weapon 2?

A. 43
B. 96
C. 108
D. 133

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