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Quizzes > Entertainment & Pop Culture > Movies

Ready for the Ultimate 1960 Movie Quiz?

Think you can ace our classic movie trivia? Start the 1960 quiz now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of 1960 quiz with retro film reel, popcorn, trivia cards, clapperboard on teal background

Ready to step back in time and ignite your classic movie trivia passion? Our Ultimate 1960 Quiz is designed for cinephiles who live for 1960's trivia and love a challenging movie trivia quiz. From iconic silver screen moments to behind-the-scenes tidbits, you'll test your knowledge and uncover fun facts that make every vintage movie quiz feel like a thrilling journey. Click through our 1960s trivia challenge for a taste of nostalgia and explore more cinematic gems with our classic film trivia . Think you can ace it? Start now and prove you're the ultimate trivia buff!

Which Alfred Hitchcock thriller released in 1960 centers on a motel manager named Norman Bates?
North by Northwest
Psycho
Vertigo
Rear Window
Psycho is a landmark 1960 thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock featuring Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates, a disturbed motel proprietor. The film redefined horror and suspense with its shocking plot twists and iconic scenes. Its production and narrative techniques influenced countless thrillers and horror movies that followed. Learn more
Who starred as Marion Crane in the 1960 film 'Psycho'?
Janet Leigh
Doris Day
Audrey Hepburn
Grace Kelly
Janet Leigh delivers a standout performance as Marion Crane in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, notably in the film's famous shower scene. Her role is central to the film's shock value, as her character is killed unexpectedly early. Leigh's performance earned her critical acclaim and solidified Psycho's reputation in cinematic history. Learn more
The film 'Spartacus' (1960) starred which actor in the title role?
Yul Brynner
Tony Curtis
Kirk Douglas
Charlton Heston
Kirk Douglas portrays Spartacus, the leader of a historic slave revolt against the Roman Empire, in the 1960 epic directed by Stanley Kubrick. His performance earned widespread praise for combining physical presence with emotional depth. The film's scale, including massive battle sequences and strong supporting performances, has made it a classic of Hollywood's Golden Age. Learn more
Which 1960 Western film featured a team of seven gunfighters hired to protect a Mexican village?
Rio Bravo
Seven Samurai
The Magnificent Seven
The Wild Bunch
The Magnificent Seven is a 1960 Western adaptation of Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, where seven American gunfighters defend a Mexican village against bandits. Directed by John Sturges, it popularized the ensemble Western and boosted its leading actors' careers. Its iconic score by Elmer Bernstein remains one of the most recognized Western themes. Learn more
What was the highest-grossing film worldwide of 1960?
Spartacus
La Dolce Vita
The Apartment
Psycho
Spartacus topped worldwide box office charts in 1960, earning over $60 million against a then-astronomical budget. Its epic scale, star power, and groundbreaking production under Stanley Kubrick contributed to its broad appeal. The film's success also led to a resurgence in historical epics during the decade. Learn more
In 'The Apartment' (1960), who directed the film?
Alfred Hitchcock
Billy Wilder
John Frankenheimer
Stanley Kubrick
Billy Wilder wrote and directed The Apartment, a dark romantic comedy that won five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. Wilder's sharp screenplay and direction balance humor with poignant social commentary on corporate life and personal ethics. The film is often cited as one of his finest achievements. Learn more
Which Italian film directed by Federico Fellini in 1960 depicted Rome's high society?
Rome, Open City
L'Avventura
The Leopard
La Dolce Vita
La Dolce Vita follows a journalist, played by Marcello Mastroianni, through Rome's decadent nightlife. Fellini's film captured the contradictions of postwar Italian society and introduced the term "paparazzi" into popular culture. It won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and remains a symbol of European art cinema. Learn more
What 1960 musical film starred Frank Sinatra and Shirley MacLaine?
West Side Story
Guys and Dolls
South Pacific
Can-Can
Can-Can is a 1960 musical directed by Walter Lang featuring Frank Sinatra as a judge and Shirley MacLaine as a dance hall performer. The film adapts the stage musical with colorful sets and Cole Porter songs. Though not as successful as other musicals of the era, it showcased Sinatra's versatile screen presence and MacLaine's dancing skills. Learn more
Which French New Wave film by Jean-Luc Godard begins with the question "What is this all about?"
Breathless
Jules and Jim
The 400 Blows
Hiroshima Mon Amour
Breathless (À bout de souffle) opens with Michel Poiccard asking a journalist on the run, "What is this all about?" as he improvises camera-work and editing styles. Godard's debut helped define the French New Wave with its jump cuts and casual approach to narrative. The film remains influential for its radical editing and on-location shooting. Learn more
In 'The Magnificent Seven', who played the leader, Chris Adams?
Eli Wallach
Charles Bronson
Yul Brynner
Steve McQueen
Yul Brynner portrays Chris Adams, the calm and charismatic leader of the gunfighters in The Magnificent Seven. His stoic performance anchors the ensemble cast and became one of his signature roles. The film's success turned Brynner into an international star. Learn more
In which film do characters famously stand and declare "I'm Spartacus"?
Spartacus
Lawrence of Arabia
Exodus
Ben-Hur
In Spartacus, after the rebellion is crushed, captured slaves secretly each claim, "I'm Spartacus!" to protect their leader. This iconic moment symbolizes solidarity and sacrifice. The scene is often cited as a powerful example of ensemble acting and moral courage in cinema. Learn more
Which actor won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Elmer Gantry in 1960?
Gregory Peck
Paul Newman
Burt Lancaster
Tony Curtis
Burt Lancaster won the 1960 Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as the charismatic yet morally ambiguous preacher Elmer Gantry. His performance balanced charm and critique of hypocrisy in religious showmanship. The film was both a critical and commercial success. Learn more
The film 'Butterfield 8' earned Elizabeth Taylor which Academy Award?
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Supporting Actress
Best Actress
Elizabeth Taylor won her second Academy Award for Best Actress for portraying Gloria Wandrous in Butterfield 8. Her performance captured the complexities of a woman struggling with societal judgment and personal freedom. The award solidified Taylor's status as one of Hollywood's leading stars. Learn more
Which 1960 British science fiction film features eerie golden-eyed children in a small town?
Frankenstein's Daughter
The Day the Earth Caught Fire
Village of the Damned
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Village of the Damned centers on a small English town where all women of childbearing age become pregnant simultaneously and give birth to telepathic, golden-eyed children. Directed by Wolf Rilla, it adapts John Wyndham's novel The Midwich Cuckoos. The film's unsettling atmosphere has made it a classic of British sci-fi horror. Learn more
Which 1960 courtroom drama stars Spencer Tracy and Fredric March on opposing sides of a trial?
Judgment at Nuremberg
Inherit the Wind
Anatomy of a Murder
To Kill a Mockingbird
Inherit the Wind is a fictionalized account of the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial, featuring Spencer Tracy as lawyer Henry Drummond and Fredric March as prosecutor Matthew Harrison Brady. The film debates science versus religion and civil liberties. Both Tracy and March received Oscar nominations for their performances. Learn more
Which epic historical film starring John Wayne depicts the 1836 siege of the Alamo?
Zulu
Patton
The Longest Day
The Alamo
The Alamo, directed by and starring John Wayne, dramatizes the 1836 battle between Texian defenders and Mexican forces at the Alamo mission. The film was made in Cinerama and features large-scale battle sequences. Despite mixed reviews on its historical accuracy, it remains a notable Western epic. Learn more
Which Italian film by Michelangelo Antonioni was initially controversial at the 1960 Cannes Film Festival?
La Notte
Blow-Up
L'avventura
The Conformist
L'avventura premiered at Cannes in 1960 to mixed reactions for its unconventional narrative and ambiguous character motivations. Over time, it has been recognized as a masterpiece of modernist cinema and a key work of Antonioni's career. Its focus on existential themes and visual composition influenced future art films. Learn more
The film 'Psycho' is based on a novel by which author?
Robert Bloch
Stephen King
Richard Matheson
Ira Levin
Psycho is adapted from Robert Bloch's 1959 novel of the same name, which itself drew inspiration from real-life serial killer Ed Gein. Bloch's psychological horror story provided Hitchcock with its suspenseful structure and shocking twists. The collaboration between Hitchcock's direction and Bloch's source text created one of the most enduring horror films. Learn more
Who directed the 1960 film adaptation of H.G. Wells' 'The Time Machine'?
J. Lee Thompson
Alfred Hitchcock
George Pal
Irwin Allen
Producer-turned-director George Pal helmed the 1960 adaptation of H.G. Wells' classic novel, bringing innovative special effects and production design to the screen. His direction balanced scientific speculation with human drama, earning the film critical praise and an Academy Award for its visual effects. Learn more
In the 1960 film 'Peeping Tom', who served as the director?
Roman Polanski
Michael Powell
Carol Reed
Alfred Hitchcock
Michael Powell directed Peeping Tom, a British thriller about a voyeuristic filmmaker whose killings are captured on camera. Upon release, it was condemned as exploitative, damaging Powell's career, but it has since been reevaluated as a pioneering psychological horror film. Learn more
Which Swedish director created 'The Virgin Spring' in 1960, later winning an Academy Award?
Akira Kurosawa
Federico Fellini
Ingmar Bergman
Michelangelo Antonioni
Ingmar Bergman directed The Virgin Spring, a medieval tale of revenge and faith, which earned him the 1961 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Its powerful visuals and moral complexity make it one of Bergman's most acclaimed works. Learn more
The 1960 film 'Exodus' was based on the novel by which author?
John Steinbeck
James Michener
Erich Maria Remarque
Leon Uris
Exodus, depicting the founding of the state of Israel, is based on Leon Uris's 1958 best-selling novel of the same name. Otto Preminger directed the film, which was praised for its scope and political resonance. Uris's source book remains a significant work of historical fiction. Learn more
Who composed the Academy Award-winning score for 'Exodus' (1960)?
John Williams
Bernard Herrmann
Alex North
Ernest Gold
Ernest Gold wrote the stirring orchestral score for Exodus, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Dramatic Score. His theme became one of the most recognizable film melodies of the decade. Gold's work enhanced the film's epic narrative and emotional impact. Learn more
Which actress won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 1960 film 'Elmer Gantry'?
Rita Moreno
Shelley Winters
Shirley Jones
Vivien Leigh
Shirley Jones won the 1961 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Sister Sharon Falconer in Elmer Gantry. Her role contrasted with Burt Lancaster's charismatic preacher, adding spiritual depth to the story. Jones's performance was celebrated for its sincerity and grace. Learn more
Which innovative editing technique, later named after an operator, was first utilized in the film 'Breathless' (1960)?
Cross-cut
Match cut
Fade
Jump cut
Godard's Breathless pioneered the jump cut - a disruptive edit that removes frames within a single continuous shot to create a choppy rhythm. The technique was named after its look, resembling a film 'jumping' forward. It broke editing conventions and became a hallmark of the French New Wave. Learn more
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Iconic 1960 Films -

    Identify and name landmark movies from our 1960 quiz to reinforce your understanding of classic film history.

  2. Identify Memorable Film Scenes -

    Recognize and describe standout moments from vintage movie scenes featured in the quiz to sharpen your scene-analysis skills.

  3. Interpret Classic Dialogue -

    Analyze famous lines from 1960 films to appreciate storytelling techniques and character development in classic movie trivia.

  4. Connect 1960's Trivia to Film Context -

    Evaluate fun facts and historical context behind each question to deepen your knowledge of the era's cinematic landscape.

  5. Compare Vintage Movie Genres -

    Contrast genres and styles from the 1960s to develop a nuanced appreciation for the period's diverse filmmaking trends.

  6. Apply Quiz Techniques to Future Challenges -

    Use the strategies gained from this 1960 quiz and vintage movie quiz format to excel at future movie trivia quizzes.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Landmark Films of 1960 -

    Familiarize yourself with breakthrough movies like Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, Billy Wilder's The Apartment, and Stanley Kubrick's Spartacus, focusing on their release context and directorial style. A handy mnemonic "P-A-S" (Psycho, Apartment, Spartacus) can help you remember these titles for your 1960 quiz. According to the American Film Institute's catalog, these films set new genre standards and remain staples in classic movie trivia.

  2. Iconic Quotes and Catchphrases -

    Memorize memorable lines such as "Shut the door, Harry" - the famous Apartment zinger - and the shocking "We all go a little mad sometimes" from Psycho. Repeating these lines aloud helps cement them: try the "SDH" (Shut Door Harry) trick as a memory anchor. Film scripts archived at university repositories confirm these lines as cornerstones of 1960's trivia.

  3. Evolution of Cinematic Techniques -

    Study the rise of Cinemascope wide-screen formats (aspect ratio 2.55:1) and Psycho's groundbreaking use of quick cuts in the shower scene, which revolutionized editing conventions. A simple formula to remember: AR = width ÷ height gives you 2.55 for Cinemascope - great for boosting points in any vintage movie quiz. Technical notes from the British Film Institute highlight how these innovations defined the era's visual style.

  4. Genre Shifts and Movements -

    Note how 1960 marked a pivot from Golden Age Hollywood epics to more intimate psychological dramas, heralding early new-wave influences seen in international cinema. Use the mnemonic "G2N" (Golden to New-wave) to recall this shift when tackling classic movie trivia. Academic papers from film studies departments underscore how this transition enriched storytelling techniques.

  5. Awards and Cultural Impact -

    Review the major awards: The Apartment won Best Picture at the Oscars, while Psycho redefined horror's cultural cachet despite no Academy nods. Associating each film with its award status (Oscar win, nomination, or cult status) gives you quick recall during a 1960 quiz. Official Academy archives and journal articles confirm these accolades and their lasting influence on pop culture.

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