Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho changed the face of horror forever. This quiz covers the life of Norman Bates, his origins, and the legacy left behind by the entire film franchise.
You will see questions about the real-life inspiration for Norman, the technical details of the 1998 remake, and the actors who stepped into the role. Some facts are straightforward, while others explore the franchise’s deeper production history.
Think you know the Bates Motel well? Check out our cult classics, browse more franchise history, or see our villain studies.
In which U.S. state did the real-life crimes of Ed Gein, which inspired the character of Norman Bates, occur?
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Texas
Texas
California
California
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Which literary work served as the original source material for the character of Norman Bates?
Anthony Perkins’ biography
Anthony Perkins’ biography
Alfred Hitchcock’s treatment
Alfred Hitchcock’s treatment
Robert Bloch’s novel
Robert Bloch’s novel
Joseph Stefano’s screenplay
Joseph Stefano’s screenplay
In which 1956 film did Anthony Perkins receive an Academy Award nomination, showcasing his range prior to playing Norman Bates?
The Birdman of Alcatraz
The Birdman of Alcatraz
The Trial
The Trial
Catch-22
Catch-22
Friendly Persuasion
Friendly Persuasion
What central psychological conflict defines the character of Norman Bates across the franchise?
His relationship with his father
His relationship with his father
His childhood in a lighthouse
His childhood in a lighthouse
His obsession with ornithology
His obsession with ornithology
His dynamic with his mother
His dynamic with his mother
Which film was the first theatrical sequel to the original 1960 classic?
Bates Motel
Bates Motel
Psycho III
Psycho III
Psycho II
Psycho II
Psycho IV: The Beginning
Psycho IV: The Beginning
What unique role did Anthony Perkins take on for the production of Psycho III (1986)?
Cinematographer
Cinematographer
Screenwriter
Screenwriter
Producer
Producer
Director
Director
What is the narrative focus of Psycho IV: The Beginning?
A remake of the 1960 original
A remake of the 1960 original
A prequel origin story
A prequel origin story
A direct sequel set ten years later
A direct sequel set ten years later
A spin-off following a new character
A spin-off following a new character
Who directed the controversial 1998 shot-for-shot remake of Psycho?
Wes Craven
Wes Craven
Brian De Palma
Brian De Palma
Gus Van Sant
Gus Van Sant
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
Which actor was cast to play Norman Bates in the 1998 remake of Psycho?
Christian Slater
Christian Slater
Vince Vaughn
Vince Vaughn
Edward Norton
Edward Norton
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix
What was the primary stated intention behind the 1998 shot-for-shot remake of Psycho?
To create a shorter version for modern audiences
To create a shorter version for modern audiences
To correct inconsistencies in the original script
To correct inconsistencies in the original script
To introduce the story to a generation that wouldn’t watch black-and-white films
To introduce the story to a generation that wouldn’t watch black-and-white films
To improve upon the camera quality of the original
To improve upon the camera quality of the original
What morbid nickname was attributed to Ed Gein in the press following his 1957 arrest?
The Butcher of Bakersfield
The Butcher of Bakersfield
The Milwaukee Monster
The Milwaukee Monster
The Plainfield Ghoul
The Plainfield Ghoul
The South Side Strangler
The South Side Strangler
What is the name of the character who meets her demise in the infamous shower scene in the 1960 film Psycho?
Caroline Klein
Caroline Klein
Mary Loomis
Mary Loomis
Marion Crane
Marion Crane
Lila Crane
Lila Crane
What is the role of the character Milton Arbogast in the 1960 original film?
A private investigator tracking stolen money
A private investigator tracking stolen money
The local sheriff investigating the murder
The local sheriff investigating the murder
A hitchhiker who survives the movie
A hitchhiker who survives the movie
The Bates Motel manager
The Bates Motel manager
What hobby did Ed Gein share with the character of Norman Bates?
Taxidermy
Taxidermy
Piano restoration
Piano restoration
Clock making
Clock making
Painting portraits
Painting portraits
Which detail best describes the technical approach of the 1998 Psycho remake?
The film was shot in color, replicating the original camera angles exactly
The film was shot in color, replicating the original camera angles exactly
The script was entirely rewritten to include supernatural elements
The script was entirely rewritten to include supernatural elements
The original musical score was intentionally excluded
The original musical score was intentionally excluded
The ending was changed to allow Norman Bates to escape custody
The ending was changed to allow Norman Bates to escape custody
How was Psycho IV: The Beginning primarily released to audiences?
A made-for-TV movie
A made-for-TV movie
A stage play adaptation
A stage play adaptation
A direct-to-video sequel
A direct-to-video sequel
An anthology series installment
An anthology series installment
Which of these statements regarding the critical reception of the 1983 sequel, Psycho II, is historically accurate?
It was banned in most theaters upon release
It was banned in most theaters upon release
It received mixed to positive reviews despite low expectations
It received mixed to positive reviews despite low expectations
It was a total critical disaster that failed to find an audience
It was a total critical disaster that failed to find an audience
It was universally acclaimed as superior to the original
It was universally acclaimed as superior to the original
Which actress played the role of Marion Crane in the 1998 remake of Psycho?
Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore
Janet Leigh
Janet Leigh
Vera Farmiga
Vera Farmiga
Anne Heche
Anne Heche
Which of these iconic horror films features a character explicitly inspired by the real-life crimes of Ed Gein?
Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th
Halloween
Halloween
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
A Nightmare on Elm Street
A Nightmare on Elm Street
In what year was the first theatrical sequel to the original Psycho released?
1988
1988
1983
1983
1993
1993
1978
1978
Which psychological trait was shared by the real Ed Gein and the fictional character Norman Bates regarding their upbringing?
They were both the sons of a strict, religious mother who dominated their upbringing
They were both the sons of a strict, religious mother who dominated their upbringing
They were both orphans raised entirely in the state foster care system
They were both orphans raised entirely in the state foster care system
They were both professional taxidermists who moved to a hotel for work
They were both professional taxidermists who moved to a hotel for work
They were both runaways who found shelter in a remote motel by chance
They were both runaways who found shelter in a remote motel by chance
What was the general consensus from critics regarding the 1998 Psycho remake?
It was considered the most profitable remake in film history
It was considered the most profitable remake in film history
It won the Academy Award for Best Picture
It won the Academy Award for Best Picture
It received negative reviews for its lack of originality and purpose
It received negative reviews for its lack of originality and purpose
It revolutionized the horror genre for the 21st century
It revolutionized the horror genre for the 21st century
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When you finish, keep going with our horror collection, read about difficult film sets, or visit our 1960s cinema pages.
