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How to Cite a Film or Documentary in MLA Referencing

3-minute read

• 4th December 2020

If you’re writing an essay, you may need to cite a film or documentary. But how does this work in MLA style ? In this post, we’ll show you how to format both in-text citations and the Works Cited list entry for a film.

How to Cite a Film in MLA Referencing

When citing a film or documentary as a whole in MLA style , simply cite its title. This can be either in the text or in parentheses. For instance:

Another crime film, Goodfellas , depicts the making of a mafia boss.

The film depicts the making of a mafia boss ( Goodfellas ).

However, if you’re focusing on a particular contributor to the film, such as the director or an actor, you should cite the surname of that contributor:

Scorsese’s direction is notably dynamic.

The film is directed with great dynamism (Scorsese).

In addition, if you are referring to a particular scene, you may want to include a time stamp with the timing or range of times for the scene cited:

The scene in this version of the film shows us the brutality of mafia life, but arguably risks glamorizing it ( Goodfellas 00:58:06-01:08:21).

Here, for instance, the time stamp shows us that the citation is for a scene that lasts from 58 minutes and 6 seconds to 1 hour, 8 minutes and 21 seconds into the film. The reader will then know exactly where to look for it.

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Films in an MLA Works Cited List

The entry for a film in an MLA Works Cited list should include all the information required for readers to find the version cited. When citing the film as a whole, this will usually include the following core elements :

Title . Contribution by Main Contributor’s Name (usually the director or creator), other contributors (if relevant to your discussion), version (if more than one version is available), publisher, year.

You won’t always need to include all this information (e.g., if there is only one version of a film available, you can ignore the ‘version’ section), but make sure to include as much detail as needed to identify the exact source.

In practice, for instance, we could reference Goodfellas as follows:

Goodfellas. Directed by Martin Scorsese, performance by Paul Sorvino, Warner Bros., 1990.

If you have cited the name of a contributor – rather than the film title – in your essay, start the entry with the surname of that contributor:

Scorsese, Martin, director. Goodfellas . Performance by Paul Sorvino, Warner Bros., 1990.

This ensures that readers can match the citations to the full reference.

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We hope this explains how to cite a film or documentary in MLA style! If you’d like an expert to make sure your MLA referencing is clear, consistent and error free, though, why not upload a document for proofreading today ?

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How to Cite a Movie: MLA, APA, and Chicago Style

• Posted on January 28, 2022

Writing a research paper doesn’t mean limiting your sources to books and articles. You might use a movie, and if you do, you need to know how to cite it properly. Since there are different citation guides , you must follow the directions specific to your paper style.

The most popular formats are MLA style, APA format, and Chicago style. Each style guide has unique, yet very specific guidelines for spacing, punctuation, italics, and more.

Creating a movie citation for a motion picture you’re referencing protects you against plagiarism. When you’re using other people’s ideas or words, you have to credit them in your work. Otherwise, it looks like you’re passing the information off as your own. If you write anything that isn’t an original idea, you need to credit the person who said it first or you are plagiarizing.

Referencing a movie in your paper can take many different forms. You might mention the film in passing. You might compare it to other films or works of literature. You could also dedicate a whole paper to discussing one specific movie and its impact on popular culture.

You can quote lines from films in your paper just as you’d quote a researcher. Put the sentence in quotation marks and include an in-text citation. You’ll find out how to do that when you learn how to cite a movie in MLA, APA, and Chicago Style.

Common Movie Citation Formats

To cite a motion picture, you’ll need some basic information. Having these details on hand will help whether you’re using MLA, APA, or Chicago style for the film citation. All citation guides require information like:

• Title of the movie
• Name of the director
• Production company
• Film distributor
• Year of release

There are certain instances to use each format, so below are citation examples for MLA style, APA style, and Chicago style.

The  Modern Language Association  created MLA style. The handbook has undergone many changes over the years and is now in its ninth edition. It’s updated as technology and research change. The original handbook had information about citing books and papers, yet the modern edition tells you how to cite song lyrics, social media posts, and more.

You’re likely to use MLA style when writing papers for the humanities, such as language arts or cultural studies. Writing a film critique or using movies to comment on society falls under the humanities umbrella, and you are likely to use MLA style for such projects.

MLA Style Movie Citations

Citing a movie in MLA style is very similar to citing other sources. Start with the movie title in italics, then identify the director or directors. You can list a few stars if you mention them in your paper. This level of detail helps readers find the exact citation in your MLA Works Cited page.

Most of the punctuation in a movie citation using MLA format is a comma. This punctuation differs from other MLA citations that use a lot of periods or put information in parenthesis. Here is an example of a movie formatted for an MLA citation:

Movie. Directed by Bob Action, performances by Ima Star, Big Name, and Too Famous, Movie Studios, 2020.

It’s a straightforward process with room to specify what version you’re referencing if there are multiple versions of the film. In that case, you would add the version after the director’s name. For example:

Movie. Directed by Bob Action, extended version, Movie Studios, 2020.

If you watched the movie on a streaming service, you should indicate that information. Just as when you’re citing journal articles found online with a URL or DOI, the streaming service helps the reader find the exact film.

Most streaming services upload the regular version of the movie, but including this detail erases all doubt.  Netflix  and other streaming services change up their inventory periodically, so cover your bases by including the date you watched the movie. Otherwise, a reader might think you’re making up information because the film isn’t currently available through the service.

Maybe the service censored the line you quoted, and people who own the DVD know the real language. They might think you got the information wrong in your paper. When they go to your reference page, they’ll see where you accessed the movie and understand how your experience could differ. Here is an example of a movie formatted for an MLA citation if it was on a streaming service:

Movie. Directed by Bob Action, Movie Studios, 2020. Netflix, 13 May 2021.

You can also cite movies you watched on  YouTube . The format is similar to that of a streaming service, except you include the name of the user who uploaded the film and the specific URL. For example:

Movie. Directed by Bob Action, Movie Studios, 2020. Movie. Directed by Bob Action, performances by Ima Star, Big Name, and Too Famous, Movie Studios, 2020. YouTube, uploaded by Film Appreciation Community, 13 May 2021, http://www.youtube.com/specificvideo .

When you compile your works cited list, you’ll put the movie citation in alphabetical order according to the movie title.

MLA Style In-text Citations

You need to include an in-text citation whenever you mention the film in your paper. If you paraphrase anything from the movie, you need to show the reader what you’re referencing. Text citations are easy to figure out once you have the reference completed for your works cited page.

Use parentheses to signal that you’re citing a source in the body of your paper. After the opening parenthesis, put the movie title in italics. For example:

However, there are other times when you’ll need in-text citations. If you use a direct quote from the movie, close the quotation marks of the passage, and include the text citation before the ending punctuation. This citation will include the title of the movie and the timestamp of when the character speaks the specific line. You still put the movie title in italics inside of the parenthesis. Follow the title with the timestamp and duration of the line using a semicolon to show the time. For example:

(Movie 15:10-35)

If the quote goes beyond one minute, clarify the time range with more details, such as:

(Movie 15:10-16:07)

You can also mention the movie title in your text using general context without needing an in-text citation. For example:

In Movie, the viewer goes on a wild adventure that spans just two hours.

If you mention a specific part of the movie, you’ll need to add an in-text citation with the time stamp. For example:

In Movie, the viewer first visits the graveyard at night (1:03-50).

If the movie title is long, you can shorten it to the first few words, so your in-text citations are concise.

The  American Psychological Association  created the APA style guide. It has detailed parameters for academic and research papers. You use the APA format when working in the social sciences, like psychology, sociology, economics, and related fields.

APA Style Movie Citations

While a movie citation in MLA style is very basic, there is more specific formatting for an APA citation. Instead of starting with the movie title, you list the director starting with the last name, then the first initial. Specify that the person is the director in parentheses. Documentaries would have a producer instead of a director, so you’d use that job title instead.

Next, you put the year the company produced the movie, then the title. In square brackets, specify that it’s a film because TV shows use a similar style, and last is the name of the production company. Here is an example of a movie formatted for an APA citation:

Action, B. (Director). (2020). Movie [Film]. Movie Studios.

You might refer to the special features included on a DVD version of the film, so you’ll add this information to your citation. For example:

Action, B. (Director). (2020). Movie [Film; DVD release]. Movie Studios.

If you watched the film on a streaming service, the citation includes those details as well. For example:

Action, B. (Director). (2020). Movie [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.netflix.com

When you compile your reference list, you’ll put the movie citation in alphabetical order according to the director’s last name.

APA Style In-text Citations

In-text citations for APA format are similar to those of MLA style. As always, you use parentheses to offset the information from the body of your paper and the citation goes inside of the ending punctuation of a sentence.

While MLA uses the movie title, APA calls for the director’s last name and the year of the movie. For example:

(Action, 2020)

If you’re quoting the film or mentioning a specific scene, include the timestamp after the director’s name and year. For example:

(Action, 2020, 0:15:10)

Chicago Style

The University of Chicago created  Chicago Style  for use in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. This format differs from both MLA and APA by having a bibliography instead of works cited or reference pages. Some papers using Chicago Style ask for you to create endnotes as well.

Chicago Style Movie Citations

Chicago Style has two options: author-date or notes-bibliography. Your professor will tell you what to use for a student paper. If you’re writing an article to submit to a journal, the submission guidelines will clarify which format you need to use.

The author-date format is similar to APA citations. You start with the director’s last name, then their first name, then the job title of the director. This detail is to clarify the person’s role in the movie because a documentary would have a producer instead of a director.

Next is the year the production company released the movie, followed by the movie’s title in italics. Check out this citation example to see how similar it is to APA format:

Action, Bob, director. 2020. Movie. Movie Studios.

If you watched the movie online, you would add the streaming service and direct URL to the movie. Here is an example:

Action, Bob, director. 2020. Movie. Netflix. http://www.netflix.com/movieaddress

If you’re using the notes-bibliography style instead of author-date, you need all the same information but the order is different. Here is an example:

Action, Bob, director. Movie. Movie Studios, 2020.

If you watched the movie online through a streaming service, you add that information in slightly different places as well. For example:

Action, Bob, director. Movie. Netflix, 2020. http://www.netflix.com/movieaddress

Chicago Style In-text Citations

The author-date in-text citation format is also similar to APA’s text citation, without a comma. In Chicago Style, an author-date in-text citation example is:

(Action 2020)

If you’re referencing a specific quote or scene, you’d include the timestamp of the duration. Instead of using a dash like in MLA format, you write the word “to.” Here is an example:

(Action 2020 0:15:10 to 0:15:35)

The in-text citations for author-date style are the same whether you watched the movie on DVD or on Netflix. The reader can find that information when they look for the citation in your bibliography.

When you’re using the notes-bibliography style, in-text citations are understandably different. You number the note and include all the information from the bibliography citation for the first note. Later, you can use a shortened note to reference each movie version because you’ve already given the entire information in the first note.

Considerations for Citing Movies

Citing a movie isn’t too different from citing a book across various style guides, but you must pay attention to the details. Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu  changed the TV industry . It’s very simple to access movies and TV series you might not find otherwise.

When you watch movies online, make sure to cite if it came from Netflix or if it’s a YouTube video. While this article focused on movie citations, there are also differences when citing a TV show or podcast.

Easy Ways to Cite a Movie

Once you learn the basic information needed for a citation, it’s relatively simple to follow the specific formats for MLA, APA, or Chicago Style.

Doing large amounts of research can make it hard to focus on your references. Using the  Quetext citation generator  simplifies the process for you. Whether you’re working on an academic paper, a professional article, or checking your students’ work, Quetext helps with the citations while also checking for any sign of plagiarism.

Take out the stress and confusion of punctuation and parentheses, and let Quetext do the work for you.

Sign Up for Quetext Today!

Click below to find a pricing plan that fits your needs.

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MLA Citation Style, 9th Edition

• MLA Style, 9th Edition
• In-text citations
• Books - Multiple Authors
• Books - with editors, translators, etc.
• Book - Essay, Short Story, Poem, etc
• Books - later editions
• Articles - Multiple Authors
• Articles - from scholarly journals
• Articles - from newspapers
• Articles - from magazines
• YouTube Video
• Television Shows
• Images from the Web
• Works Cited: Websites
• Works Cited: Social Media / Informal Communication
• Works Cited: Conference Proceeding/Paper
• Don't See an Example for Your Source?!
• Report an Error / Question

Films (Movies & Documentaries) - General Guidelines

Citing films will not always be uniform, depending on your focus.

For example, a film you discuss generally will be cited like so (Netflix example):

You may also list actors and actresses, if relevant:

To emphasize a specific performer or director, you will place them as the author:

Film from a Streaming Service

Film from a dvd.

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• Last Updated: Mar 12, 2024 12:00 PM
• URL: https://libguides.uwf.edu/mla9

• Lawrence W. Tyree Library
• Subject Guides

Film Studies

• How to Cite in MLA
• How to Search
• How to Find Books
• How to Find Background Information
• How to Find Articles
• How to Find Streaming Films
• How to Find Websites
• Film Guides

MLA Citations

More resources, citation examples.

• Where to Get Help

The following links and tutorials will help you create MLA citations for the sources you need to cite.

• The MLA Style Center Includes Ask the MLA
• Tyree Library's Guide to MLA
• KnightCite Citation Service: MLA
• Author: Vincent LoBrutto
• Title: The art and craft of motion pictures : 25 movies to make you film literate
• Publisher: Praeger
• Publication Date: 2019

MLA Citation

LoBrutto, Vincent. The Art and Craft of Motion Pictures: 25 Movies to Make You Film Literate . Praeger, 2019.

In-Text Citation

(LoBrutto 16)

Chapter in an Edited Book

• Author(s) of Chapter: Noel Burch
• Title of Chapter: Cinema, Theory, Women
• Page Range: 41-56
• Publication Date: 2012
• Editor(s) of Book: Clive Myer and Bill Nichols
• Title of Book: Critical Cinema : Beyond the Theory of Practice
• Publisher: Columbia University Press

Burch, Noel. "Cinema, Theory, Women." Critical Cinema: Beyond the Theory of Practice , edited by Clive Myer and Bill Nichols, Columbia University Press, 2012, pp. 25-37.

• Author: Michael Rabiger and Mick Hurbis-Cherrier
• Title: Directing : Film Techniques and Aesthetics
• Edition: 5th edition
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Publication Date: 2013
• Database: Ebook Central
• URL: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/sfcollege-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1125193

Rabiger, Michael, and Mick Hurbis-Cherrier. Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics . 5th ed., Taylor & Francis, 2013.  Ebook Central , ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/sfcollege-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1125193.

(Rabinger and Hurbis-Cherrier 63)

MLA: Citing Books & eBooks from Lawrence W. Tyree Library on Vimeo .

View Transcript

Hello! In this video tutorial, we will learn how to cite books and eBooks in MLA style.

MLA citations may include a variety of components. Sources may be part of a larger source, called a container. Examples of containers may be a database, website, or a book. The following examples will show you how to identify these components and how to place and format them into a proper MLA citation.

The examples in this tutorial include a basic book, a chapter in an edited book, an eBook, and what to do if you have multiple authors or if a book has an edition statement.

Example 1: A Book With One Author

For the first example, you will learn how to cite this book: Visual Shock: A History of Art Controversies in American Culture .

The first step is to identify the author of the book. This can usually be found on the cover or title page.

To list an author, type the name in reverse order. Type the last name , a comma , and the first name , followed by a period . If the author's middle name or initial is given, include it after the first name.

Example: Kammen, Michael.

Next, identify the title of the book. In this example, the title is Visual Shock: A History of Art Controversies in American Culture . Even though there is no colon on the title page, A History of Art Controversies in American Culture is styled differently and in a smaller font. This shows that it is the subtitle and should be separated from the title with a colon .

List the title of the book, in italics , after the author. Capitalize the first word of the title , the first word of the subtitle (which comes after the colon), and all important words . End with a period.

Example: Kammen, Michael. Visual Shock: A History of Art Controversies in American Culture.

Finally, identify the publication information . This is the name of the publisher and the year it was published. If this information is not available on the title page, look for it on the back of the title page.

The publisher's name is listed after the title, followed by a comma, and then the year the book was published. End with a period. This completes the citation.

Example: Kammen, Michael. Visual Shock: A History of Art Controversies in American Culture. Alfred A. Knopf, 2006.

If you refer to a work in your paper, by directly quoting, paraphrasing, or by referring to main ideas, you will need to include an in-text parenthetical citation. There are a number of ways to do this. In this example, a signal phrase is used to introduce a direct quote. The author's name is included in the text, and the page number is enclosed in parentheses at the end of the sentence.

Example: Americans have increasingly shown their support of art through museum visits. As reported by Kammen , "Attendance at art museums rose from 22 million per year in 1962 to well over 100 million in 2000" (304) .

Example 2: A Chapter in an Edited Book

In this next example, the book is overseen by editors, but each chapter has a different author. If you only use information from a single chapter, you will cite that chapter only. You will need to locate the same citation components as the first example, but also the title , author , and page ranges of the chapter you are citing.

First, begin with the author of the chapter you are using, followed by the  title of the chapter . Enclose the title of the chapter in quotation marks. For this example, the first word of the title is italicized since it is the title of a book, but the rest of the chapter title is not italicized.

Example: Nelson, Claudia. " Jade and the Tomboy Tradition."

The chapter title is followed by the italicized  book title , a comma , the phrase  edited by , and the  editors' names in normal order.

Example: Nelson, Claudia. " Jade and the Tomboy Tradition." The Oxford Handbook of Children's Literature , edited by Julia L. Mickenberg and Lynne Vallone,

Include the publisher and date as usual, and then list the  page numbers of the chapter after the date. This completes the citation. In this example, the phrase University Press is abbreviated to UP .

Example: Nelson, Claudia. " Jade and the Tomboy Tradition." The Oxford Handbook of Children's Literature , edited by Julia L. Mickenberg and Lynne Vallone, Oxford UP, 2011, pp. 497–517.

Example 3: An eBook with Multiple Authors and Editions

In the last example, there are a few new characteristics. This is an eBook located through a library database. The eBook has two authors, and it is a second edition. You will need to include this information in your citation.

Once you have found and opened an eBook, scroll to the title page to locate the citation components.

For books with two authors, list the first author's name in reverse order, followed by a  comma  and the word  and . Then list the next author in normal order. If a book has three or more authors, list only the first author's name, followed by a comma and the abbreviation  et al.

Example: Metcalfe, Barbara D., and Thomas R. Metcalfe.

List the title next, in italics, and then a period. The  edition  is listed after the title. Type the edition number, followed by  ed. (which stands for edition), and a comma.

Example: Metcalfe, Barbara D., and Thomas R. Metcalfe. A Concise History of Modern India . 2nd ed.,

List the publisher and date as before, ending with a period.

Example: Metcalfe, Barbara D., and Thomas R. Metcalfe. A Concise History of Modern India . 2nd ed., Cambridge UP, 2006.

When citing an eBook from a database, include the  name of the database . The name of this database, Ebook Central , is listed at the top of the screen. Finally, you need the URL of the eBook. In Ebook Central, this can be found in the address bar. Look for a  Permalink  option within other databases.

Format the title of the database or website in italics, type a comma , and then copy and paste the URL . Remove the https:// from the beginning of the URL. End the citation with a period. This concludes the citation.

Example: Metcalfe, Barbara D., and Thomas R. Metcalfe. A Concise History of Modern India . 2nd ed., Cambridge UP, 2006. ProQuest Ebook Central , ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/sfcollege-ebooks/reader.action?docID=274880.

Some scholarly books have a digital object identifier, known as a  DOI . This can be found on the title page or the next page. If a DOI is given, use that instead of the URL, using the format  https://doi.org/  and then provide the DOI.

Example: McGraw, Seamus. Betting the Farm on a Drought . U of Texas P, 2015. Ebook Central , https://doi.org/10.7560/756618.

In-text citations for works with two authors will include both last names. For works with three or more authors, list the first author’s last name and then the abbreviation et al.

Examples: Metcalfe and Metcalfe discuss the legacy of British rule on the current political structure and constitution of India. Jones et al. found that veterinary students suffer higher rates of depression and anxiety than other graduate students.

For more examples and additional situations you may encounter when citing books, visit the Tyree Library's MLA Citations guide. This can be found by visiting the Library's website, clicking Guides ,and then How-To Guides.

This concludes the video tutorial on citing books using MLA style. If you have any questions, please contact a librarian:

352-395-5409 [email protected] Building Y, NW Campus sfcollege.edu/library

Journal Article (DOI)

• Authors: Derek Long
• Article Title: Production Cultures and the "Look" of Nostalgia: The Rocketeer as Failed Franchise
• Journal Title: Velvet Light Trap: A Critical Journal of Film & Television
• Volume number: 84
• Issue number: none
• Pages: 3-17
• Database: Academic Search Complete
• DOI: 10.7560/vlt8402

Long, Derek. "Production Cultures and the 'Look' of Nostalgia: The Rocketeer as Failed Franchise." Velvet Light Trap: A Critical Journal of Film & Television , vol. 84, 2019, pp. 3–17. Academic Search Complete , https://doi.org/10.7560/vlt8402.

Journal Article (no DOI)

• Author(s):  Carlo Rotella
• Article Title: Boxing Lessons: Hollywood's Infatuation with the Fights
• Journal Title: Virginia Quarterly Review
• Volume number: 97
• Issue number: 4
• Publication Date: 2021
• Pages: 12-22
• Permalink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=a9h&AN=154573890&site=ehost-live&scope=site&custid=sfcc

Rotella, Carlo. "Boxing Lessons: Hollywood's Infatuation with the Fights." Virginia Quarterly Review , vol. 97, no. 4, 2021, pp. 12–22. Academic Search Complete , search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=a9h&AN=154131225&site=ehost-live&scope=site&custid=sfcc.

(Rotella 18)

Newspaper Article

• Author: Bernard Weinraub
• Article Title: A Foul Mouth With a Following: 20 Years Later, Pacino's 'Scarface' Resonates With a Young Audience
• Newspaper Title: New York Times
• Publication Date: September 23, 2003
• Database: New York Times Historical
• URL: https://www.proquest.com/hnpnewyorktimes/docview/92486204/19BECC3E4F0D42DEPQ/4?accountid=45765

Weinraub, Bernard. "A Foul Mouth With a Following: 20 Years Later, Pacino's 'Scarface' Resonates With a Young Audience." New York Times , 23 Sept. 2003. New York Times Historical , www.proquest.com/hnpnewyorktimes/docview/92486204/19BECC3E4F0D42DEPQ/4?accountid=45765.

Film Review

Use this format for reviews without specific titles.

• Author: Jordan Cronk
• Film Being Reviewed: Divinely Evil
• Director of Film: Gustavo Vinagre
• Title of Source: Film Comment
• Additional Source Information:  volume 56, issue 3, page 23
• Publication Date: May/June 2020
• DOI or URL: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=a9h&AN=142917711&site=ehost-live&scope=site&custid=sfcc

Cronk, Jordan. Review of Divinely Evil , directed by Gustavo Vinagre. Film Comment , vol. 56, no. 3, May/June 2020, p. 23. Academic Search Complete , search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=a9h&AN=142917711&site=ehost-live&scope=site&custid=sfcc.

MLA: Citing Journal Articles from Lawrence W. Tyree Library on Vimeo .

Hello! In this video tutorial, we will learn how to cite journal articles in MLA style.

The examples in this tutorial include journal articles with and without a DOI and open access journal articles.

Example 1: A Journal Article without a DOI

As you research, you will often find journal articles online using the library's databases. This article was found online using the database Academic Search Complete.

The first step is to identify the  author  of the article. You can find this on the first page of the article or in the database record.

Example: Orme, Jennifer.

Next, identify the title of the article. The title will usually be at the top of the article, in a font that is larger than the text.

Type the title of the article, enclosed in quotation marks, after the author. Capitalize the first word of the title , the first word of the subtitle , which comes after a colon, and all important words . Place a period after the title, but within the quotation marks. In this example, Pan's Labyrinth is italicized because it is the name of a film.

Example: Orme, Jennifer. "Narrative Desire and Disobedience in Pan’s Labyrinth ."

Next, identify the publication information . This includes the title of the journal ; the volume, issue, and page numbers ; and the year of publication . The issue may be referred to as the number . This information can be located most easily on the database record. In this example, all the publication information is located in the Source line.

Type the journal title , in italics . Then, type a comma, the abbreviation vol. , the volume number , a comma , the abbreviation no. and then the issue number . Type a comma, then give the year of publication . Type another comma, the abbreviation pp. and the page numbers . End this section with a period. If there is no issue number, omit that component.

Example: Orme, Jennifer. "Narrative Desire and Disobedience in Pan's Labyrinth ." Marvels & Tales , vol. 24, no. 2, 2010, pp. 219–234.

Finally, you will need to include the name of the database that the article was found in and either a DOI or a permalink. DOI stands for Digital Object Identifier and can be found in the article's record or on the first page of the article. Not all articles have a DOI. If no DOI is present, as in this example, use a database permalink instead.

Format the title of the database in italics , type a comma , and then copy and paste the URL . Remove the https:// from the beginning of the URL. End the citation with a period. This concludes the citation.

Example: Orme, Jennifer. "Narrative Desire and Disobedience in Pan's Labyrinth." Marvels & Tales , vol. 24, no. 2, 2010, pp. 219–234. Academic Search Complete , search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=a9h&AN=54969134&site=ehost-live&scope=site&custid=sfcc.

Example: Orme disputes the idea that Pan's Labyrinth is a mere 'adult fairy tale,' instead referring to it as a "juxtaposition of the fairy tale with [a] period film of civilian political resistance" (224) .

Example 2: DOI and Multiple Authors

In this article, there are four authors, and a DOI is present. Many newer research articles include DOIs. Always look carefully at the first page of an article and the database record to determine if a DOI is present.

MLA guidelines state that for works with three or more authors, only list the first author , a comma , and then the abbreviation et al. , which means ‘and all the rest.’

Example: Berry, Devon, et al.

Continue with the article title, journal title, volume, issue, year, and page numbers as in the previous example.

Example: Berry, Devon, et al. "Risk, Religiosity, and Emerging Adulthood: Description of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim University Students at Entering the Freshman Year." Mental Health, Religion & Culture , vol. 16, no. 7, 2013, pp. 695–710.

As before, include the database name in italics . Because this article has a DOI , that will be included instead of a link. Format the DOI as a URL, with the prefix https://doi.org/ . End the citation with a period. Unlike other URLs, leave the https:// in the DOI.

Example: Berry, Devon, et al. "Risk, Religiosity, and Emerging Adulthood: Description of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim University Students at Entering the Freshman Year." Mental Health, Religion & Culture , vol. 16, no. 7, 2013, pp. 695–710. Academic Search Complete , https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2012.715145.

In-text citations for articles with three or more authors similarly use the et al. abbreviation within the narrative.

Example: Berry et al. found that religious or spiritual undergraduate students were less likely to engage in risky behaviors.

Example 3: An Open Access Journal Article

You may encounter open access full-text journal articles while searching online via search engines or other websites. This article is from the online-only journal Australian Humanities Review .

Look for the information needed to cite the article at the top of the page or on the journal's table of contents page. In this example, the journal does not have volumes. Instead there are only issues. Also, since the articles are presented as HTML files, there are no page numbers.

For articles with two authors, list the first author's name in reverse order, followed by a  comma  and the word  and . Then, list the second author in normal order.

Example: Robinson, Alice, and Dan Tout.

Cite the journal article as before. Since this article does not have a volume number, the issue number stands alone. There are no page numbers, so that element is skipped. Add the URL, omitting the http://. Place a period after the URL to complete the citation.

Example: Robinson, Alice, and Dan Tout. "Only Planet: Unsettling Travel, Culture and Climate Change in Settler Australia." Australian Humanities Review , no. 52 , 2012. australianhumanitiesreview.org/2012/05/01/only-planet-unsettling-travel-culture-and-climate-change-in-settler-australia/.

For more examples and additional situations you may encounter when citing journal articles, visit the Tyree Library's  MLA Citations  research guide. This can be found by visiting the Library's website, clicking  Guides and then  How-To Guides .

This concludes the video tutorial on citing journal articles using MLA style. If you have any questions, please contact a librarian:

• Authors: David Pyrooz, James Densley, and Scott H. Decker
• Webpage Title: ‘West Side Story’ may be timeless – but life in gangs today differs drastically from when the Jets and Sharks ruled the streets
• Website Title: The Conversation
• Publication Date: December 9, 2021
• URL of Webpage: https://theconversation.com/west-side-story-may-be-timeless-but-life-in-gangs-today-differs-drastically-from-when-the-jets-and-sharks-ruled-the-streets-173543

Pyrooz, David, et al. "'West Side Story' May Be Timeless – But Life in Gangs Today Differs Drastically from When the Jets and Sharks Ruled the Streets." The Conversation , 9 Dec. 2019, theconversation.com/west-side-story-may-be-timeless-but-life-in-gangs-today-differs-drastically-from-when-the-jets-and-sharks-ruled-the-streets-173543.

(Pyrooz et al.)

For works with three or more authors, only list the first author and the abbreviation et al. .

Webpage with Organizational Author and No Date

• Author: none listed
• Webpage Title: Early Movies
• Website Title: Smithsonian Institute
• Publication Date: none listed
• URL of Webpage: https://www.si.edu/spotlight/movies/early-movies

"Early Movies." Smithsonian Institute , www.si.edu/spotlight/movies/early-movies. Accessed 6 Feb. 2022.

("Early Movies")

MLA: Citing Web Resources from Lawrence W. Tyree Library on Vimeo .

Hello! In this video tutorial, we will learn how to cite Web resources in MLA style.

The examples in this tutorial include webpages, blog posts, and reports.

Example 1: A Webpage

For the first example, you will learn how to cite a webpage. A  webpage  is a single document within a website. The first step is to identify the  author  of the page.

Example: Austin, Ben S.

Next, determine the title of the webpage. The title of the webpage is usually found above the main content in the body of the page.

Type the title of the webpage, enclosed in quotation marks, after the author's name. Capitalize the first word of the title , the first word of the subtitle (when a subtitle is given), and all important words . Place a period before the last quotation mark.

Example: Austin, Ben S. "Holocaust Denial: A Brief History."

Next, determine the title of the website . The website is the overall container for the page or document you are using. The title of the website is usually found in a prominent place on the page or at the top of the browser screen.

Type the title of the website, in  italics , after the title of the webpage. Capitalize the  first word of the title , the  first word of the subtitle  (when a subtitle is given), and all  important words . End with a comma.

Example: Austin, Ben S. "Holocaust Denial: A Brief History." Jewish Virtual Library ,

Next, locate the publisher or sponsor of the website, and the date of publication . Look for these elements at the top and bottom of the page. The publisher may also be found on the website's About page. If the publisher is identical to the title of the website, do not include it. The publisher for this example is AICE. The About page for the site shows that AICE stands for American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. There may not be a separate publisher or sponsor for all websites.

Type the publisher after the website title, if applicable. After the publisher type a comma .

Example: Austin, Ben S. "Holocaust Denial: A Brief History." Jewish Virtual Library , American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise,

Look for a date at the top and bottom of the webpage. If there is no specific date listed, you may use the copyright date. If you are unable to locate any date, omit this component.

List the date, followed by a comma .

Example: Austin, Ben S. "Holocaust Denial: A Brief History." Jewish Virtual Library , American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise, 2022

Finally, locate the URL of the webpage. The URL is found in the address bar of the browser.

Copy and paste the URL, omitting the beginning http:// . End with a period . With online sources that lack firm publication dates, you may include a Date Accessed component to the end of the citation. Start with the word Accessed and then in Day Month Year format, type the date you accessed the webpage. End with a period . This concludes the citation.

Example: Austin, Ben S. "Holocaust Denial: A Brief History." Jewish Virtual Library , American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise, 2022, www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/a-brief-history-of-holocaust-denial. Accessed 7 Jan. 2022.

If you refer to a work in your paper by directly quoting, paraphrasing, or by referring to main ideas, you will need to include an in-text parenthetical citation. There are a number of ways to do this. In this example, a signal phrase is used to introduce a direct quote, and the author's name is included in the narrative. If there are no specific page numbers, as in most webpages, use only the author.

Example: As Austin notes, "The very first Holocaust deniers were the Nazis themselves."

If you are missing any information, such as an author, publisher, or date, simply omit the element and move on to the next part of the citation. In this example, there is no specific author listed, so the citation begins with the webpage. There is also no date listed, so that component is omitted.

Example: "The Swahili." The Story of Africa , BBC, www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features/storyofafrica/index_section5.shtml. Accessed 7 Jan. 2022.

Example 2: A Blog Post

Blog posts follow the same guidelines as webpages. In this example, the title of the blog post is Misty Copeland and the Newness of the Ballerina Body , and it is part of the blog Sociological Images .

The remaining elements required for the citation are located at the top of the post. The publisher can be found at the top in this example, but you may need to look at a copyright statement, the footer, or an About page to identify them.

The citation for a blog post follows the structure shown in the previous example. The author is listed first, followed by the blog post title, the title of the blog, and the publisher. The date component is listed in Day Month Year format. Abbreviate all months except for May, June, and July. End with the URL.

Example: Wade, Lisa. "Misty Copeland and the Newness of the Ballerina Body." Sociological Images , The Society Pages, 26 Apr. 2016, thesocietypages.org/socimages/2016/04/26/misty-copeland-and-the-newness-of-the-ballerina-body/.

Example 3: Reports

You may find reports from various organizations in your research online. Reports will follow the same basic template as previous example, but there may be a report series present.

For reports with two authors, list the first author's name in reverse order, followed by a comma and the word and . Then list the next author in normal order. If a report has three or more authors, list only the first author's name, followed by a comma and the abbreviation et al.

Example: Adams, Brian, and Randal Verbrugge.

Report titles are italicized, and the website or agency responsible will be listed in normal font.

Example: Adams, Brian, and Randal Verbrugge. Location, Location, Structure Type: Rent Divergence within Neighborhoods. United States Department of Labor,

Follow the same template as shown in previous examples. If a report has a series, include that at the end of the citation, concluding with a period.

Example: Adams, Brian, and Randal Verbrugge. Location, Location, Structure Type: Rent Divergence within Neighborhoods. United States Department of Labor, 9 Dec. 2020, www.bls.gov/osmr/research-papers/2020/pdf/ec200150.pdf. Working Paper 533.

Reports may include a suggested citation. Be aware that this may not be in the appropriate style you need. This example is not in MLA style.

For more examples and additional situations you may encounter when citing Web resources, visit the Tyree Library's MLA Citations research guide. This can be found by visiting the Library's website, clicking Guides, and then How-To Guide s.

This concludes the video tutorial on citing Web resources using MLA style. If you have any questions, please contact a librarian:

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How to Cite a Movie Using MLA Style

Last Updated: February 17, 2020

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. This article has been viewed 389,172 times.

You might need to use Modern Language Association (MLA) style guidelines if you're writing a paper for your middle, high school, or college-level class. You may also be a graduate student or researcher who uses MLA citations all the time! If you're writing a paper about movies, or you want to include a movie in a research paper on some other topic, you'll need to cite it properly. Making a correctly formatted Works Cited and adding in-text citations to your essays shows your audience that you're not plagiarizing.

Citation Templates

Making the Works Cited

• For now, your citation should just look like: “ Notting Hill .”
• If the title is a translation, include the original title in brackets. For example, “ The Chorus [Les Choristes] .”

• Your citation should now look something like this: “ Notting Hill . Dir. Roger Michell.”

• These citations look like this: “Michell, Roger, dir. Notting Hill .”

• The citation should now look like: “ Notting Hill . Dir. Roger Michell. Perf. Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant, and Richard McCabe.”
• If your paper is about a particular actor, you can begin the citation with their name. This formatting looks like this: “Roberts, Julia, perf. Notting Hill . Dir. Roger Michell.”

• Almost there! Your citation should now look something like this: “ Notting Hill . Dir. Roger Michell. Perf. Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant, and Richard McCabe. Universal Pictures, 1999.”

• If you watched the film online, you can skip to step 8.
• For VHS, type out “videocassette” in your citation. It'll look like this: “ Notting Hill . Dir. Roger Michell. Perf. Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant, and Richard McCabe. Universal Pictures, 1999. Videocassette.”
• If you watched the movie at the theater, you can just type out “Film” for a complete citation! It'll look like this: “ Notting Hill . Dir. Roger Michell. Perf. Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant, and Richard McCabe. Universal Pictures, 1999. Film.”

• If you watched Notting Hill on Blu-Ray, for example, your citation will look like this: “ Notting Hill . Dir. Roger Michell. Perf. Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant, and Richard McCabe. 1999. Universal Pictures, 2013. Blu-Ray.”

• This citation will look something like this: “ Notting Hill . Dir. Roger Michell. Perf. Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant, and Richard McCabe. Universal Pictures, 1999. Netflix . Web. 18 July 2017.”

• Your Works Cited should be on a separate page at the end of the paper, and it should be titled Works Cited. You don't need to put quotation marks around the words Works Cited, or italicize them.
• Make the whole document double-spaced, but don't add extra spaces between citations.

Doing In Text Citations

• For example, “ Notting Hill is a perfect illustration of a typical late 1990s rom-com ( Notting Hill ).”

• “Michell went for a personal touch in his directing for this film (Michell, Notting Hill ).”

• So, for example, “Roberts's classic wide smile made appearances throughout the movie (Roberts, Notting Hill ).”

• Add the timestamp like this: “Roberts lays her heart out on the floor in front of Grant at the end of the film (Roberts, Notting Hill , 02:01:33-02:03:10).”

Expert Q&A

• MLA citation requirements for movies and television are a little more flexible than those for other sources, which is why you're allowed to sometimes start with director or performers' names. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.american.edu/library/documents/upload/Film-Video-Citation-Guide.pdf
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/05/
• ↑ http://libguides.bates.edu/mla

About This Article

Citing a movie using Modern Language Association style is relatively simple once you know how. If you’re discussing the movie in general, write the title in italics and parenthesis at the end of the sentence when you mention it. If you’re discussing a director or actor in the movie, include their surname in the parenthesis before the title. If you’re referencing a specific shot, you should also include a timestamp at the end. In your works cited section, start with the title in italics, then write “Dir.” followed by the director’s full name. Then, include any relevant actors by writing “perf.” followed by their names. After that, write the movie’s distributor, like Universal Pictures, and the release date. Finally, write the format you watched the movie in, like VHS, DVD, or Netflix. If you saw it in the cinema, write “film” instead. For more tips from our Educational co-author, including how to organize your works cited list, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How To Cite A Movie In MLA – Format, Styles & Examples

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Following the MLA style guide in essays provides a structure to integrate citations from various sources, including films or movies. MLA was created to be adaptable to handle many platforms and versions. With the container system, you can highlight the most critical details in your citations, ensuring they are always accurate. Thus, whether referencing a basic text or the latest blockbuster movie, MLA’s comprehensive and flexible approach underpins effective academic writing .

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 How to Cite a Movie in MLA – In a Nutshell
• 2 Definition: MLA movie citation
• 3 MLA movie citation: Format
• 4 MLA movie citation: Online
• 5 MLA movie citation: In-Text

How to Cite a Movie in MLA – In a Nutshell

• In-text citations should refer to their Works Cited entry.
• If a film is listed by its title, reference it in your text or cite it in parentheses.
• The director must be discussed or cited if a film is included under the director’s name.
• In-text citations do not require the complete title.

Definition: MLA movie citation

To cite a film in MLA format , add the title, director, any other contributors, production or distribution firm, and release year. If a film has many versions, you must specify which one you’re referring to.

England. Directed by Terrence William, performances by Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev, director’s cut, Universal Pictures, 1985.

To reference a movie from Netflix (or other online streaming services), including the website or app’s name (e.g., “Netflix app”). If you watched the film on an unauthorized site or video-sharing platforms such as YouTube, include the website name, uploader, upload date, and URL.

The Vampire Diaries. Directed by J. Miller Tobin, Image Ten, 1968. YouTube, uploaded by 20th Century Studios, 26 Sept. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZy6P72Uu3Y.

In the MLA in-text citation , provide the title (or a truncated version of the title) and the time.

( England 29:45–32:37)

( Night 18:25–40)

MLA movie citation: Format

You construct an MLA Works Cited entry by entering the pertinent information. Typically, an MLA movie citation begins with the author’s name, but because numerous people develop films, you should begin the citation with the movie’s title. The director appears as a contributor following the title.

Other contributors

As with television programs, you may also include other contributors if necessary. If your paper discusses specific performances, you can cite the performers; if you examine the film’s graphics, you could include the cinematographer. Identify and separate the roles of each contributor with commas.

Legacies. Directed by Julie Plec, performance by Danielle Rose Russell, music by Michael Luca, BGI / Film4, 2013.

Suppose your film discussion concentrates primarily on one contributor (such as the director or a performer). In that case, you may insert that person’s name at the beginning of the citation in place of the author. In this instance, ensure that the identical name appears in the in-text citation.

Danielle, Russell, performer. Legacies . Directed by Julie Plec, BGI / Film4, 2013.

If there are multiple film versions, you must specify the one used for the reader to locate the appropriate source. If the version was released after the original, you must also provide the release year after the title. This isn’t mandatory, although providing historical context for the source is typically helpful.

Maze Runner. 1982. Directed by Ridley Wesley, final cut, Columbia Pictures., 2008.

Films are frequently produced and distributed by multiple firms, making it challenging to identify the publisher. Determine the organization primarily responsible for the production or distribution of the film. If there are multiple production companies or distributors involved, use a forward slash to separate them.

Twilight . Directed by Barry Johnson, A24 / Plan B Entertainment, 2016.

MLA movie citation: Online

Suppose you stream a video on an official distribution site like Hulu, Amazon Prime, or Netflix. In that case, if necessary, you may include pertinent information about the platform in the Works Cited section.

E.O. the Extra-Ordinary. Directed by Mike Ahern, Universal Studios, 1982. Netflix app.

Suppose the movie was republished on a site unaffiliated with the film’s makers (like YouTube, where anybody can post a copy of a film). In that case, this information should generally be included in the citation. Add the website’s name, the uploader’s name, the release date, and the URL after describing the film in detail.

Note: This format is only applicable to YouTube-uploaded full-length films. Follow the standard for citing a YouTube video when referencing a clip or other YouTube content.

Vincenzo . Directed by Kim Hee-won, performance by Song Joong-ki, Global Film, 1923. YouTube , uploaded by Paramount Pictures Studio, 9 June 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC6jFoYm3xs.

MLA movie citation: In-Text

The in-text citation should match the first phrase of the entry in the Works Cited section. This is typically the title italicized when citing a movie. If the title is more than a few words, only the first word should be used.

Add the time frame of the section you are citing or referencing to instead of the page number.

( Twilight 01:01:23–05:31)

The time frame must be included in the parenthetical citation if the title is already given in the sentence.

The opening shot of Vincenzo introduces the town of Seoul with a school in the foreground (2:18–25).

When referring to the entire film, it can only cite the title without a time frame.

Danielle’s performance in Legacies gives an eerie sense of displacement.

Using the same name in the in-text citation as the contributor’s name in the Works Cited entry will help the reader easily identify it in the alphabetized list.

(Danielle 25:53–27:13)

MLA movie citation style?

Movie Title. Contributor(s), Production Company, Year of Release. Streaming Service, URL.

MLA movie citation from a website?

Creator or writer. “The Video’s Title.” Name of Website Where You Found the Film, the name of the individual or organization that submitted the film [if different from the author/creator], publish date on the website, and the URL. Date of Access [optional, but suggested]

Do you italicize movie titles in MLA?

In MLA movie citation format, source titles are italicized or enclosed in quotation marks. Italicize the title of a self-sufficient unit. If the title is part of more extensive work, it should be enclosed with quotation marks.

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How To Do In-Text Citations in MLA Format: A Quick Guide for Students

An in-text citation is a reference to information originating from another source. In-text citations must be used when you summarize, quote, paraphrase or refer to another source within a written document, such as academic literature. 

In-text citations are essential in academic writing. Without them, how would readers verify the information is reliable and accurate? Trustworthy authors include their sources for verifiable information rather than opinions so readers know where the evidence for claims can be explored further.

The Modern Language Association manages MLA style standards with the purpose to “strengthen the study and teaching of language and literature” and standardize how information sources are credited in scholarly writing. Not only does the MLA recommend proper citation format, but it also suggests proper general formatting, including document spacing, margins and font size.

As you begin authoring scholarly works, you’ll find the need to credit sources. Use this quick guide to learn how to do in-text citations in MLA format.

What is MLA format?

How to do in-text citations in mla, how to do a works cited page in mla, common challenges and solutions, tips for effective in-text citations.

MLA citation style is a system for crediting sources in scholarly writing and has been widely used in classrooms, journals and the press since 1931. What began with a three-page style sheet for the MLA’s scholarly journal became a uniform writing style preferred by academics and the editorial media everywhere.

Since its inception, the in-text citation style has changed from a recommended combination of footnotes and in-text citations in MLA format. The 1951 style guide suggested : “If the reference is brief, insert it, within parentheses, in the text itself . . . ; if it is lengthy, put it in a [foot]note.” As technology and society changed, so did the MLA style. In 1995, the document added recommendations for citing CD-ROMs and online databases. In 2016, the MLA published one of the most modern versions of the MLA Handbook , wherein in-text citations in MLA style should now be written according to a template of core elements.

The modern-day components of an in-text citation in MLA format, as of the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook , include:

• Author’s name
• Page numbers (if applicable)

These short in-text citations serve as references to a Works Cited list, which should follow a written piece of work and list all sources used in detail.

Authors who correctly use in-text citations in MLA style will prove their credibility, integrity and responsibility to share accurate and reliable information and simultaneously protect themselves from stealing sources and ideas from other writers, also known as plagiarism. Plagiarism is a severe offense , and many institutions have strict rules against the practice .

Now that you understand the importance of citations let’s review how to use in-text citations in MLA style. When referring to another author’s work in your own written text, you must use parenthetical citations, including the source in parentheses within the sentence that refers to the work. 

If a source does not have page numbers, use another numbering system, such as chapters, sections, scenes or articles that are explicitly numbered. If there are no numbered divisions within the work, simply cite the author’s name.

The basic format for in-text citations in MLA writings is as follows:

• The pail of water was at the top of the hill, which Jack and Jill decided to climb (Mother Goose 1) .

If including a direct quote from a source, enclose the entire quote within quotation marks to avoid confusing the reader. The in-text citation should fall outside the quotation marks at the end of the sentence before the sentence’s period. Paraphrased information does not need quotation marks but does need proper in-text citation.

It should be noted that any information included in your in-text citations must refer to the source information on the Works Cited page listed at the end of your document.

If you’re wondering how to list the references on the Works Cited page, the format varies depending on the type, such as a book or a website.

How to cite a book in MLA

• Author last name, first name. Title. Publisher, year.

How to cite an article in MLA

• Author last name, first name. “Article title.” Publication, volume/issue, publication month. Year, page numbers. Database, reference URL.

How to cite a website in MLA

• Author last name, first name. “Title.” Publication, publication month. Year, web page URL.

While constructing your paper, you may encounter a few citation challenges, such as a source with multiple authors or no known author. Though this can be confusing, this is how to use in-text citations in MLA style for challenging situations.

How to cite multiple authors in MLA

To write an in-text citation in MLA format for a source with multiple authors , simply list each author’s last name before the page number. Sources with more than two authors should cite the first author, followed by “et al.” For example:

• 2 authors: (Hall and Oates 1)
• 3+ authors: (Hall et al. 1)

How to cite sources with no author in MLA

Sources with no author must match the first listed element within its Works Cited entry. For example:

• In-text citation: (Baa, Baa, Black Sheep 0:15)
• Works Cited entry: “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep.” Spotify . https://open.spotify.com/track/1Zpe8ef70Wx20Bu2mLdXc1?si=7TlgCyj1SYmP6K-uy4isuQ

How to cite indirect or secondary sources in MLA

A secondary source is a publication that provides second-hand information from other researchers. You may use secondary sources in your research, though it’s best practice to search for the primary source that supplied the first-hand information, so cite it directly.

If you don’t have access to the original source, include the original author and the author of the secondary source , with the abbreviation “qtd. in” indicating where you accessed the secondary quote. “Qtd. in” stands for “quoted in.” For example:

• (qtd. in Baa, Baa, Black Sheep 0:15)

Using et al. in MLA citations

As described above, et al. is used instead of listing all names of three or more authors, editors or contributors within your citations. It can also cite collections of essays, stories or poems with three or more contributors. When using et al., you should always use the last name of the first writer listed on the source. For example:

• (Earth et al. “September” 0:15)
• Contributors: Earth, Wind and Fire

The most crucial part of in-text citations in MLA style is to keep a consistent and accurate format within the entire body of work. Always use the same punctuation within the in-text citations and the same formatting for sources of the same type. Ensure that double-checking citations is part of your overall proofreading process. All citations, like the written work, should be precise and error-free.

Various tools exist to help you collect and manage your sources and citations. Popular tools include Zotero , EndNote and RefWorks . These tools can create citations for you and keep track of your research documents so you can reference them again if needed. It’s wise to track your sources as they’re included in your writing rather than compiling and citing them when finished.

More resources for writing in MLA format

For the most up-to-date in-text citation information, refer to the MLA Handbook , which can be found online, in bookstores and libraries. The most recent edition of the MLA Handbook is the 9th edition, published in spring 2021.

The MLA also operates the MLA Handbook Plus , a subscription-based digital platform that offers all of the content included in the print edition, plus annual updates and valuable resources, and can be accessed anywhere, whether you’re traveling, at home or in the classroom.

The MLA Style Center offers free online sources on the official MLA style, including templates, questions and answers and advice.

Furman University offers trained consultants for students on campus to provide one-on-one or small-group assistance for writing projects at the Writing & Media Lab (WML). You can make an appointment with a WML Consultant or stop by the James B. Duke Library in the Center for Academic Success (room 002) for on-demand help (subject to scheduling).

The Writing & Media Lab can help with many tasks related to student writing and multimedia projects, including:

• Brainstorming a paper or project
• Outlining your ideas
• Reading through your writing
• Creating a presentation or poster
• Helping you practice your presentation
• Planning a video or podcast
• Revising, proofreading, or editing

Mastering the art of in-text citations in MLA format will ensure that you, as an academic author, will portray yourself as a serious, responsible and factual writer who uses accurate and reliable sources.

The perspectives and thoughts shared in the Furman Blog belong solely to the author and may not align with the official stance or policies of Furman University. All referenced sources were accurate as of the date of publication.

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How to Cite a Movie in an Essay: MLA, APA, Harvard, Chicago

November 16, 2023

It is crucial to cite a movie in an essay to give credit to the original creators and sources of information. Just like any other form of media, movies are considered intellectual property, and their use in academic writing requires proper acknowledgment. Citing a movie not only demonstrates academic integrity but also allows readers to access the referenced material for further research. Additionally, citing movies helps to avoid plagiarism and provides a solid foundation for the arguments and claims presented in the essay. By acknowledging the source, it shows that the writer has conducted thorough research and is presenting information from reliable sources. Citing movies also adds credibility and allows readers to verify the information presented. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the correct methods of citing movies to enhance the overall quality and academic value of the essay.

MLA format for citing a movie in an essay

In MLA format, citing a movie in an essay follows a specific set of guidelines. Here’s how to do it:

• Title of the Movie: Start the citation with the title of the movie, in italics or underlined.
• Director’s Name: Include the full name of the director, followed by a comma.
• Performers’ Names: If relevant, you can include the names of performers in the movie, preceded by the abbreviation “perf.” and followed by a comma.
• Distributor: Add the name of the movie’s distributor, followed by a comma.
• Release Year: Include the release year of the movie, followed by a period.

Example citation in MLA format:

Title of the Movie. Directed by Director’s Name, performances by Performers’ Names, Distributor, Release Year.

For instance:

“The Shawshank Redemption.” Directed by Frank Darabont, performances by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, Warner Bros., 1994.

It is important to note that if you are referring to the movie within the body of your essay, you should include the title of the movie in italics or underlined, and the in-text citation should be placed in parentheses after the movie title with just the last name of the director and the page number, if applicable, like this: (Darabont 46). Remember to also include a corresponding entry in your bibliography or works cited page at the end of your essay.

By following these guidelines, you can accurately and properly cite a movie in your essay using MLA format.

APA format for citing a movie

In APA format, citing a movie in an essay involves a specific format that ensures clarity and consistency. Here’s how to cite a movie in APA style:

• Producer(s) and Director(s): Start with the last name and initials of the producer(s) and director(s), separated by a comma and an ampersand (&).
• Year of Release: Include the year in parentheses immediately following the names of the director(s) and producer(s).
• Title of the Movie: Capitalize the first letter of each significant word in the title, as well as any subtitles. Italicize the title.
• Country of Origin: Provide the country where the movie was produced.
• Production Company: Include the name of the production company that released the movie.

Example citation in APA format:

Director Last Name, Initial(s) (Director), & Producer Last Name, Initial(s). (Year). Title of the Movie [Motion picture]. Country of Origin: Production Company.

Darabont, F. (Director), & Niki, M. (Producer). (1994). The Shawshank Redemption [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Bros.

Remember to include an in-text citation after mentioning the movie title within the body of your essay. This entails placing the last name of the director and the year of release in parentheses, like this: (Darabont, 1994). In the reference list or bibliography at the end of your essay, ensure you provide a full citation for the movie.

By following these guidelines, you can accurately and properly cite a movie in your essay using APA format.

How to Reference a Movie in Harvard Style

In Harvard referencing style, citing a movie in an essay follows a specific format to ensure consistency and proper attribution. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cite a movie using Harvard style:

• Director(s) and Producer(s): Start with the last name(s) and initials of the director(s) and producer(s), separated by a comma.
• Year of Release: Include the year of release in parentheses immediately after the names.
• [Motion picture]: Include this phrase in square brackets.

Example citation in Harvard format:

Director Last Name, Initial(s), & Producer Last Name, Initial(s). (Year of Release). Title of the Movie [Motion picture]. Country of Origin: Production Company.

Darabont, F., & Niki, M. (1994). The Shawshank Redemption [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Bros.

When citing a movie within your essay, include the director’s last name and the year of release in parentheses, like this: (Darabont, 1994). Additionally, make sure to list the full citation in your reference list or bibliography at the end of your essay.

By following these guidelines, you can accurately cite a movie in your essay using Harvard format. Don’t forget to consult the official Harvard referencing style guide for any additional specific requirements.

How to Cite a Movie in Chicago/Turabian Format

In Chicago/Turabian format, citing a movie in an essay requires adherence to specific guidelines to ensure accurate referencing. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cite a movie using Chicago/Turabian style:

• Director(s) and Producer(s): Start with the director(s)’s full name, followed by a “dir.” For the producer(s), use “prod.” Include their names in the order they appear in the movie’s credits.
• Title of the Movie: Capitalize the first letter of each significant word in the title, as well as any subtitles. Italicize the title or use quotation marks, depending on the format used in the original source.
• Directed by, Produced by, or Director(s) and Producer(s): Indicate the directors and producers’ roles using appropriate abbreviations.

Example citation in Chicago/Turabian format:

Director(s) Last Name, First Name(s), dir. Producer(s) Last Name, First Name(s), prod. Year of Release. Title of the Movie. Directed by, Produced by, or Director(s) and Producer(s). Country of Origin: Production Company.

For example:

Darabont, Frank, dir. Niki, Mark, prod. 1994. The Shawshank Redemption. Directed by Frank Darabont, Produced by Mark Niki. United States: Warner Bros.

When citing the movie within your essay, include the director’s(s)’s last name and the year of release in parentheses, like this: (Darabont 1994). Additionally, make sure to list the full citation in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your essay.

By following these guidelines, you can accurately cite a movie in your essay using Chicago/Turabian format. However, it’s important to consult the official Chicago/Turabian style guide for any additional specific requirements.

Using in-text citations for movie references

When citing a movie in an essay, it is crucial to use in-text citations to provide proper attribution and support your statements or arguments. Here’s how to incorporate in-text citations for movie references in your essay:

• Direct Quotes: When directly quoting a line or dialogue from a movie, enclose the quote in quotation marks and include the last name of the director and the year of release in parentheses. For example: “I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse” (Coppola, 1972).
• Paraphrasing: If you’re paraphrasing a scene or summarizing the movie, mention the director’s last name and the year of release in parentheses at the end of the sentence. For example: The gripping prison escape in “The Shawshank Redemption” (Darabont, 1994) captivated audiences worldwide.
• Referring to a Movie: If you’re referring to a specific movie without including a direct quote or paraphrase, mention the movie’s title in italics and the director’s last name and the year of release in parentheses. For example: The visual effects in “Inception” (Nolan, 2010) were groundbreaking.

Remember to keep your in-text citations concise and clear, providing enough information for readers to locate the full citation in your reference list. Properly citing a movie within your essay not only acknowledges the original source but also adds credibility to your work.

Creating a Reference List for Movies in the Bibliography

When citing a movie in an essay, it is essential to include a comprehensive reference list or bibliography to provide complete details for your sources. Here’s a guide on how to create a reference list for movies in the bibliography using the appropriate format:

• Start the reference list on a new page titled “References” or “Bibliography.”
• Arrange the entries in alphabetical order based on the last name of the movie’s director.
• Include the following information for each movie entry:
• Director(s) and Producer(s): Start with the last name(s) and initial(s) of the director(s) and producer(s). Use a comma to separate multiple directors or producers. End with a period.
• Year of Release: Enclose the year of release in parentheses. End with a period.
• Title of the Movie: Capitalize the first letter of each significant word in the title and any subtitles. Italicize the title.
• Format: Specify the format of the movie, such as “Motion picture” or “Film.”
• Country of Origin: Mention the country where the movie was produced. End with a colon.
• Production Company: Include the name of the production company that released the movie. End with a period.

Example reference list entry for a movie:

Darabont, F. & Niki, M. (1994). The Shawshank Redemption. [Motion picture]. United States: Warner Bros.

Ensure that each entry is formatted consistently throughout the bibliography. If there are multiple movies by the same director, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest release.

By following these guidelines, you can create an accurate and well-organized reference list for movies in the bibliography section of your essay. Remember to consult the appropriate style guide for any specific requirements or variations.

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Home / Guides / Citation Guides / MLA Format / How to Cite an Essay in MLA

How to Cite an Essay in MLA

The guidelines for citing an essay in MLA format are similar to those for citing a chapter in a book. Include the author of the essay, the title of the essay, the name of the collection if the essay belongs to one, the editor of the collection or other contributors, the publication information, and the page number(s).

Citing an Essay

Mla essay citation structure.

Last, First M. “Essay Title.” Collection Title, edited by First M. Last, Publisher, year published, page numbers. Website Title , URL (if applicable).

MLA Essay Citation Example

Gupta, Sanjay. “Balancing and Checking.” Essays on Modern Democracy, edited by Bob Towsky, Brook Stone Publishers, 1996, pp. 36-48. Essay Database, www . databaseforessays.org/modern/modern-democracy.

MLA Essay In-text Citation Structure

(Last Name Page #)

MLA Essay In-text Citation Example

Click here to cite an essay via an EasyBib citation form.

MLA Formatting Guide

MLA Formatting

• Annotated Bibliography
• Bibliography
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• et al Usage
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• Paraphrasing
• Page Numbers
• Sample Paper
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• MLA 8 Updates
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• View MLA Guide

Citation Examples

• Book Chapter
• Journal Article
• Magazine Article
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• Website (no author)
• View all MLA Examples

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To cite your sources in an essay in MLA style, you need to have basic information including the author’s name(s), chapter title, book title, editor(s), publication year, publisher, and page numbers. The templates for in-text citations and a works-cited-list entry for essay sources and some examples are given below:

In-text citation template and example:

For citations in prose, use the first name and surname of the author on the first occurrence. For subsequent citations, use only the surname(s). In parenthetical citations, always use only the surname of the author(s).

Citation in prose:

First mention: Annette Wheeler Cafarelli

Subsequent occurrences: Wheeler Cafarelli

Parenthetical:

….(Wheeler Cafarelli).

Works-cited-list entry template and example:

The title of the chapter is enclosed in double quotation marks and uses title case. The book or collection title is given in italics and uses title case.

Surname, First Name. “Title of the Chapter.” Title of the Book , edited by Editor(s) Name, Publisher, Publication Year, page range.

Cafarelli, Annette Wheeler. “Rousseau and British Romanticism: Women and British Romanticism.” Cultural Interactions in the Romantic Age: Critical Essays in Comparative Literature , edited by Gregory Maertz. State U of New York P, 1998, pp. 125–56.

To cite an essay in MLA style, you need to have basic information including the author(s), the essay title, the book title, editor(s), publication year, publisher, and page numbers. The templates for citations in prose, parenthetical citations, and works-cited-list entries for an essay by multiple authors, and some examples, are given below:

For citations in prose, use the first name and surname of the author (e.g., Mary Strine).

For sources with two authors, use both full author names in prose (e.g., Mary Strine and Beth Radick).

For sources with three or more authors, use the first name and surname of the first author followed by “and others” or “and colleagues” (e.g., Mary Strine and others). In subsequent citations, use only the surname of the first author followed by “and others” or “and colleagues” (e.g., Strine and others).

In parenthetical citations, use only the author’s surname. For sources with two authors, use two surnames (e.g., Strine and Radick). For sources with three or more author names, use the first author’s surname followed by “et al.”

First mention: Mary Strine…

Subsequent mention: Strine…

First mention: Mary Strine and Beth Radick…

Subsequent mention: Strine and Radick…

First mention: Mary Strine and colleagues …. or Mary Strine and others

Subsequent occurrences: Strine and colleagues …. or Strine and others

…. (Strine).

….(Strine and Radick).

….(Strine et al.).

The title of the essay is enclosed in double quotation marks and uses title case. The book or collection title is given in italics and uses title case.

Surname, First Name, et al. “Title of the Essay.” Title of the Book , edited by Editor(s) Name, Publisher, Publication Year, page range.

Strine, Mary M., et al. “Research in Interpretation and Performance Studies: Trends, Issues, Priorities.” Speech Communication: Essays to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Speech Communication Association , edited by Gerald M. Phillips and Julia T. Wood, Southern Illinois UP, 1990, pp. 181–204.

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How do I cite a film still from a website?

Note: This post relates to content in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook . For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook .

Cite the still the way you would any image from a website. The following provides an example:

Still of the queen from the film Mirror Mirror . “Excuse This Rant about  Mirror Mirror ,” by Emmet Asher-Perrin, 2 Apr. 2012. Tor.com , www.tor.com/2012/04/02/excuse-this-rant-about-mirror-mirror.

In the example above, the Title of Source element is a description of the still you are discussing. The first Container element is the essay in which the still appears, followed by the author and the date of publication. The second Container element is the name of the website, and the Location element is the URL.

If you are referring to an essay on a website that contains many stills from a film, you can cite the essay as a whole instead of an individual still:

Asher-Perrin, Emmet. “Excuse This Rant about Mirror Mirror .” Tor.com , 2 Apr. 2012, www.tor.com/2012/04/02/excuse-this-rant-about-mirror-mirror.

See our related post on citing images on websites .

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MLA Formatting Quotations

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When you directly quote the works of others in your paper, you will format quotations differently depending on their length. Below are some basic guidelines for incorporating quotations into your paper. Please note that all pages in MLA should be double-spaced .

Short quotations

To indicate short quotations (four typed lines or fewer of prose or three lines of verse) in your text, enclose the quotation within double quotation marks. Provide the author and specific page number (in the case of verse, provide line numbers) in the in-text citation, and include a complete reference on the Works Cited page. Punctuation marks such as periods, commas, and semicolons should appear after the parenthetical citation.

Question marks and exclamation points should appear within the quotation marks if they are a part of the quoted passage, but after the parenthetical citation if they are a part of your text.

For example, when quoting short passages of prose, use the following examples:

When using short (fewer than three lines of verse) quotations from poetry, mark breaks in verse with a slash, ( / ), at the end of each line of verse (a space should precede and follow the slash). If a stanza break occurs during the quotation, use a double slash ( // ).

Long quotations

For quotations that are more than four lines of prose or three lines of verse, place quotations in a free-standing block of text and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented 1/2   inch  from the left margin while maintaining double-spacing. Your parenthetical citation should come  after the closing punctuation mark . When quoting verse, maintain original line breaks. (You should maintain double-spacing throughout your essay.)

For example, when citing more than four lines of prose, use the following examples :

Nelly Dean treats Heathcliff poorly and dehumanizes him throughout her narration: They entirely refused to have it in bed with them, or even in their room, and I had no more sense, so, I put it on the landing of the stairs, hoping it would be gone on the morrow. By chance, or else attracted by hearing his voice, it crept to Mr. Earnshaw's door, and there he found it on quitting his chamber. Inquiries were made as to how it got there; I was obliged to confess, and in recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity was sent out of the house. (Bronte 78)

When citing long sections of poetry (four lines of verse or more), keep formatting as close to the original as possible.

In his poem "My Papa's Waltz," Theodore Roethke explores his childhood with his father:

The whiskey on your breath Could make a small boy dizzy; But I hung on like death: Such waltzing was not easy. We Romped until the pans Slid from the kitchen shelf; My mother's countenance Could not unfrown itself. (qtd. in Shrodes, Finestone, Shugrue 202)

When citing two or more paragraphs, use block quotation format, even if the passage from the paragraphs is less than four lines. If you cite more than one paragraph, the first line of the second paragraph should be indented an extra 1/4 inch to denote a new paragraph:

In "American Origins of the Writing-across-the-Curriculum Movement," David Russell argues,

Writing has been an issue in American secondary and higher education since papers and examinations came into wide use in the 1870s, eventually driving out formal recitation and oral examination. . . .

From its birth in the late nineteenth century, progressive education has wrestled with the conflict within industrial society between pressure to increase specialization of knowledge and of professional work (upholding disciplinary standards) and pressure to integrate more fully an ever-widening number of citizens into intellectually meaningful activity within mass society (promoting social equity). . . . (3)

Adding or omitting words in quotations

If you add a word or words in a quotation, you should put brackets around the words to indicate that they are not part of the original text:

If you omit a word or words from a quotation, you should indicate the deleted word or words by using ellipses, which are three periods ( . . . ) preceded and followed by a space. For example:

Please note that brackets are not needed around ellipses unless they would add clarity.

When omitting words from poetry quotations, use a standard three-period ellipses; however, when omitting one or more full lines of poetry, space several periods to about the length of a complete line in the poem: