i_want_my_mtv.exe

Time capsule of the day

1981

MTV signs on and Indiana Jones grabs the idol.

📦 Build your 1981 capsule

Fun FactNo. 01

MTV goes on the air

Launched August 1, 1981. The first video was "Video Killed the Radio Star."

📷 Used from May 30, 1994 to June 12, 2000. · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

MovieNo. 02

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Indiana Jones, a rolling boulder, and "Snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes?"

📷 Poster via TMDB

TV ShowNo. 03

The Smurfs

Premiered on Saturday mornings in September 1981. Gargamel never caught them.

📷 Poster via TMDB

GameNo. 04

Donkey Kong

A carpenter called Jumpman, later known as Mario, climbs girders to save Pauline.

📷 Cover via IGDB

SnackNo. 05

Pudding Pops

Frozen Jell-O pudding on a stick, the best thing in the freezer.

FoodNo. 06

Jiffy Pop

Popcorn that ballooned out of a foil pan right on the stove.

📷 Open Food Facts contributors · CC BY-SA 3.0

ToyNo. 07

Strawberry Shortcake dolls

Each doll smelled like her name. Huckleberry Pie included.

JokeNo. 08

Why are the Smurfs always cold?

📷 Steve Collis from Melbourne, Australia · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

how_i_grew_up.exe

Make it yours

Tell us how you grew up and every year gets extra picks from your scene, a music chart for you, and memories from people who grew up like you.

How did you grow up? Pick any that fit.

Where? Pick one.

🔒 Private. This never shows on your profile. It only changes what you see: extra capsule picks, a “For you” music chart, and memories from people who grew up like you. Saved in this browser; sign in to keep it on your account.

top_of_1981.exe

Top of 1981

The most watched movies that year

Titles and posters from TMDB.

What everyone was into in 1981

💡 MTV goes on the air · 🎬 Raiders of the Lost Ark · 📺 The Smurfs · 🎮 Donkey Kong · 🍬 Pudding Pops · 🍕 Jiffy Pop · 🧸 Strawberry Shortcake dolls

🎵 Biggest songs of 1981

Play the top 100 →

Bette Davis Eyes · Kim Carnes
Endless Love · Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Lady · Kenny Rogers
(Just Like) Starting Over · John Lennon
Jessie's Girl · Rick Springfield
Celebration · Kool & the Gang
Kiss on My List · Daryl Hall & John Oates
I Love a Rainy Night · Eddie Rabbitt
9 To 5 · Dolly Parton
Keep on Loving You · REO Speedwagon

Top movies of 1981

Raiders of the Lost Ark
Mad Max 2
Escape from New York
The Fox and the Hound
An American Werewolf in London
Das Boot
Halloween II
For Your Eyes Only
Friday the 13th Part 2
Blow Out
Christiane F.
Possession
Scanners
Time Bandits
Excalibur
Stripes
Chariots of Fire
Escape to Victory
Porky's
The Cabbage Soup

Top TV shows of 1981

The Smurfs
Only Fools and Horses
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends
The Fall Guy
Dynasty
Dr. Slump
Hill Street Blues
Ulysses 31
The Greatest American Hero
Hello! Sandybell
Simon & Simon
Spider-Man
Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds
Brideshead Revisited
Danger Mouse
Falcon Crest
Masada
Queen Millennia
Postman Pat
Verano azul