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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.

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  • Writing Tips

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 Movie Lines in MLA in an Essay

Movie lines can provide relevant punch to an essay. But if you quote a film, be sure to cite it just as conscientiously as you would cite a novel or poem. The first requirement is to quote the movie precisely; any words in quotation marks must be identical to the actual lines spoken in the movie. You also need to know the basic details about the movie in order to cite it in MLA style.

Movies in the “Works Cited” List

Movies are listed alphabetically in “Works Cited,” along with any other sources. Put the title first, alphabetizing by the first major word and italicizing the title. Next list, in order, director(s), main performer(s), distribution company, year of release and, finally, format. This is what such a listing should look like: The Last Unicorn. Dir. Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. Perf. Alan Arkin, Mia Farrow, Jeff Bridges and Christopher Lee. ITC Films, 1982. DVD.

Movies and In-Text Citation

When a source is not listed by author in the “Works Cited,” you must cite it in the text by whatever element comes first instead. In the case of movies, that means the title, italicized. Because movies do not have page numbers, you only need the title, either in a single phrase or in parentheses following the quote. This example shows correct MLA parenthetical citation: The unicorn laments, “I can feel this body dying all around me” (The Last Unicorn).

Need help with a citation? Try our citation generator .

  • Purdue University Online Writing Lab: MLA Works Cited, Other Common Sources
  • Purdue University Online Writing Lab: MLA In-Text Citations, the Basics

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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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Library FAQs

How do i cite a movie scene or quotation in the body of my paper.

First, read the assignment carefully or ask your teacher if they have specific suggestions or requirements for in-text citations to videos.

Otherwise, if you have included a quotation or referred to a particular scene, you would put the time-stamp that is displayed in your media player in parentheses after your reference. Your goal is to help your reader find whatever it is that you're writing about.  First your reader would find the movie in your list of references, and then they could find the exact spot within the movie.

For the MLA , include the specific time-stamp (in the case of a quotation) or include the time-stamp range (if you refer to a scene or section).  Include the hours, minutes and seconds.  Separate the numbers with colons without any spaces.  Your sentence punctuation would go after and outside the parentheses.  

Example: ( Blade Runner , 00:15:33-00:18:45).

For the APA , include only the time-stamp, not a range.  Even if you are referring to a scene, all that's required is the start time.

Example: (Scott, 2010, 3:12).

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  • General information about MLA in-text citations from the Excelsior Online Writing Lab
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MLA Works Cited: Other Common Sources

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Several sources have multiple means for citation, especially those that appear in varied formats: films, DVDs, television shows, music, published and unpublished interviews, interviews over e-mail, published and unpublished conference proceedings. The following section discusses these sorts of citations as well as others not covered in the print, periodical, and electronic sources sections.

Use the following format for all sources:

Author. Title. Title of container (self contained if book), Other contributors (translators or editors), Version (edition), Number (vol. and/or no.), Publisher, Publication Date, Location (pages, paragraphs URL or DOI). 2 nd container’s title, Other contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication date, Location, Date of Access (if applicable).

An Interview

Interviews typically fall into two categories: print or broadcast published and unpublished (personal) interviews, although interviews may also appear in other, similar formats such as in e-mail format or as a Web document.

Personal Interviews

Personal interviews refer to those interviews that you conduct yourself. List the interview by the name of the interviewee. Include the descriptor Personal interview and the date of the interview.

Smith, Jane. Personal interview. 19 May 2014.

Published Interviews (Print or Broadcast)

List the interview by the full name of the interviewee. If the name of the interview is part of a larger work like a book, a television program, or a film series, place the title of the interview in quotation marks and place the title of the larger work in italics. If the interview appears as an independent title, italicize it. For books, include the author or editor name after the book title.

Note: If the interview from which you quote does not feature a title, add the descriptor, Interview by (unformatted) after the interviewee’s name and before the interviewer’s name.

Gaitskill, Mary. Interview with Charles Bock. Mississippi Review , vol. 27, no. 3, 1999, pp. 129-50.

Amis, Kingsley. “Mimic and Moralist.” Interviews with Britain’s Angry Young Men , By Dale Salwak, Borgo P, 1984.

Online-only Published Interviews

List the interview by the name of the interviewee. If the interview has a title, place it in quotation marks. Cite the remainder of the entry as you would other exclusive web content. Place the name of the website in italics, give the publisher name (or sponsor), the publication date, and the URL.

Note: If the interview from which you quote does not feature a title, add the descriptor Interview by (unformatted) after the interviewee’s name and before the interviewer’s name.

Zinkievich, Craig. Interview by Gareth Von Kallenbach. Skewed & Reviewed , 27 Apr. 2009, www.arcgames.com/en/games/star-trek-online/news/detail/1056940-skewed-%2526-reviewed-interviews-craig. Accessed 15 May 2009.

Speeches, Lectures, or Other Oral Presentations (including Conference Presentations)

Start with speaker’s name. Then, give the title of the speech (if any) in quotation marks. Follow with the title of the particular conference or meeting and then the name of the organization. Name the venue and its city (if the name of the city is not listed in the venue’s name). Use the descriptor that appropriately expresses the type of presentation (e.g., Address, Lecture, Reading, Keynote Speech, Guest Lecture, Conference Presentation).

Stein, Bob. “Reading and Writing in the Digital Era.” Discovering Digital Dimensions, Computers and Writing Conference, 23 May 2003, Union Club Hotel, West Lafayette, IN. Keynote Address.

Panel Discussions and Question-and-Answer Sessions

The MLA Handbook makes a distinction between the formal, rehearsed portion of a presentation and the informal discussion that often occurs after. To format an entry for a panel discussion or question-and-answer session, treat the panel members or speakers as authors by listing them first. If these people are formally listed as panelists, indicate this by following their names with a comma and the title "panelist(s)." Follow with the title of the discussion, or, if there is no title, a simple description. In the latter case, don't capitalize the description. Follow this with the title of the conference or event. End with the date and the location.

Bavis, Jim and Stein, Tammi, panelists. Panel discussion. Dawn or Doom Conference, 4 Nov. 2018, Stewart Hall, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.

Treat recorded discussions as instances of the appropriate medium (e.g., if you want to cite a recording of a panel discussion hosted on YouTube, cite it the same way you would cite an ordinary online video ).

Published Conference Proceedings

Cite published conference proceedings like a book. If the date and location of the conference are not part of the published title, add this information after the published proceedings title.

Last Name, First Name, editor. Conference Title , Conference Date and Location, Publisher, Date of Publication.

To cite a presentation from published conference proceedings, begin with the presenter’s name. Place the name of the presentation in quotation marks. Follow with publication information for the conference proceedings.

Last Name, First Name. “Conference Paper Title.” Conference Title that Includes Conference Date and Location , edited by Conference Editor(s), Publisher, Date of Publication.

A Painting, Sculpture, or Photograph

Provide the artist's name, the title of the artwork in italics, and the date of composition. Finally, provide the name of the institution that houses the artwork followed by the location of the institution (if the location is not listed in the name of the institution, e.g. The Art Institute of Chicago).

Goya, Francisco. The Family of Charles IV . 1800, Museo del Prado, Madrid.

If the medium and/or materials (e.g., oil on canvas) are important to the reference, you can include this information at the end of the entry. However, it is not required.

For photographic reproductions of artwork (e.g. images of artwork in a book), treat the book or website as a container. Remember that for a second container, the title is listed first, before the contributors. Cite the bibliographic information as above followed by the information for the source in which the photograph appears, including page or reference numbers (plate, figure, etc.).

Goya, Francisco. The Family of Charles IV . 1800, Museo del Prado, Madrid. Gardener's Art Through the Ages , 10 th ed., by Richard G. Tansey and Fred S. Kleiner, Harcourt Brace, p. 939.

If you viewed the artwork on the museum's website, treat the name of the website as the container and include the website's publisher and the URL at the end of the citation. Omit publisher information if it is the same as the name of the website. Note the period after the date below, rather than the comma: this is because the date refers to the painting's original creation, rather than to its publication on the website. Thus, MLA format considers it an "optional element."

Goya, Francisco.  The Family of Charles IV . 1800 . Museo del Prado,  museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-work/the-family-of-carlos-iv/f47898fc-aa1c-48f6-a779-71759e417e74.

A Song or Album

Music can be cited multiple ways. Mainly, this depends on the container that you accessed the music from. Generally, citations begin with the artist name. They might also be listed by composers or performers. Otherwise, list composer and performer information after the album title. Put individual song titles in quotation marks. Album names are italicized. Provide the name of the recording manufacturer followed by the publication date.

If information such as record label or name of album is unavailable from your source, do not list that information.

Morris, Rae. “Skin.” Cold, Atlantic Records, 2014. Spotify , open.spotify.com/track/0OPES3Tw5r86O6fudK8gxi.

Online Album

Beyoncé. “Pray You Catch Me.” Lemonade, Parkwood Entertainment, 2016, www.beyonce.com/album/lemonade-visual-album/.

Nirvana. "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Nevermind , Geffen, 1991.

Films or Movies

List films by their title. Include the name of the director, the film studio or distributor, and the release year. If relevant, list performer names after the director's name.

Speed Racer . Directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski, performances by Emile Hirsch, Nicholas Elia, Susan Sarandon, Ariel Winter, and John Goodman, Warner Brothers, 2008.

To emphasize specific performers or directors, begin the citation with the name of the desired performer or director, followed by the appropriate title for that person.

Lucas, George, director. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope . Twentieth Century Fox, 1977.

Television Shows

Recorded Television Episodes

Cite recorded television episodes like films (see above). Begin with the episode name in quotation marks. Follow with the series name in italics. When the title of the collection of recordings is different than the original series (e.g., the show Friends is in DVD release under the title Friends: The Complete Sixth Season), list the title that would help researchers to locate the recording. Give the distributor name followed by the date of distribution.

"The One Where Chandler Can't Cry." Friends: The Complete Sixth Season , written by Andrew Reich and Ted Cohen, directed by Kevin Bright, Warner Brothers, 2004.

Broadcast TV or Radio Program

Begin with the title of the episode in quotation marks. Provide the name of the series or program in italics. Also include the network name, call letters of the station followed by the date of broadcast and city.

"The Blessing Way." The X-Files . Fox, WXIA, Atlanta, 19 Jul. 1998.

Netflix, Hulu, Google Play

Generally, when citing a specific episode, follow the format below.

“94 Meetings.” Parks and Recreation, season 2, episode 21, NBC, 29 Apr. 2010. Netflix, www.netflix.com/watch/70152031.

An Entire TV Series

When citing the entire series of a TV show, use the following format.

Daniels, Greg and Michael Schur, creators. Parks and Recreation . Deedle-Dee Productions and Universal Media Studios, 2015.

A Specific Performance or Aspect of a TV Show

If you want to emphasize a particular aspect of the show, include that particular information. For instance, if you are writing about a specific character during a certain episode, include the performer’s name as well as the creator’s.

“94 Meetings.” Parks and Recreation, created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, performance by Amy Poehler, season 2, episode 21, Deedle-Dee Productions and Universal Media Studios, 2010.

If you wish to emphasize a particular character throughout the show’s run time, follow this format.

Poehler, Amy, performer. Parks and Recreation. Deedle-Dee Productions and Universal Media Studios, 2009-2015.

Begin with the title of the episode in quotation marks. Provide the name of the series in italics. Then follow with MLA format per usual.

“Best of Not My Job Musicians.” Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! from NPR, 4 June 2016, www.npr.org/podcasts/344098539/wait-wait-don-t-tell-me.

Spoken-Word Albums such as Comedy Albums

Treat spoken-word albums the same as musical albums.

Hedberg, Mitch. Strategic Grill Locations . Comedy Central, 2003.

Digital Files (PDFs, MP3s, JPEGs)

Determine the type of work to cite (e.g., article, image, sound recording) and cite appropriately. End the entry with the name of the digital format (e.g., PDF, JPEG file, Microsoft Word file, MP3). If the work does not follow traditional parameters for citation, give the author’s name, the name of the work, the date of creation, and the location.

Beethoven, Ludwig van. Moonlight Sonata . Crownstar, 2006.

Smith, George. “Pax Americana: Strife in a Time of Peace.” 2005. Microsoft Word file.

Council of Writing Program Administrators, National Council of Teachers of English, and National Writing Project. Framework for Success in Postsecondary Writing . CWPA, NCTE, and NWP, 2011, wpacouncil.org/files/framework-for-success-postsecondary-writing.pdf.

Bentley, Phyllis. “Yorkshire and the Novelist.” The Kenyon Review , vol. 30, no. 4, 1968, pp. 509-22. JSTOR , www.jstor.org.iii/stable/4334841.

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Citing a Movie: An MLA Citation Guide

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Since different citing formats are applied in various fields, people usually use MLA for movie citation in academic assignments within language arts, cultural studies, and other humanities disciplines. But why films, you might ask? Well, they are pretty reliable sources of information of somewhat different nature. You can refer to them in your research papers. Films facilitate basic understanding of information, help to immerse oneself in the studied period's atmosphere. They confirm author's broad outlook. When using it, it is important to cite these resources in order to respect the filmmakers 'copyright. Each citation must be properly formatted. And since MLA uses standard format, it will be easy for you to apply it. This article will be your guide to better understand it all!

Remember that our platform also assists students with academic tasks. In case you have difficulties with citations or academic writing, just place a " write my paper " order and get universal help from experts.

How to Cite a Film: MLA

Before we dive into details about using MLA for citing a movie, we should first figure out what citation is. Basically it is a way to indicate some source you used information from in your work. It also helps your reader to find that source should they need it. Remember: You cannot insert a chosen quote without specifying the source. This is called plagiarism. Your work may be considered unoriginal and rejected. Once you've watched any documentary or research film, you should identify quotes you are going to use (e.g.  block quote MLA ). It will also help if you indicate an actual reason why you decided to quote film. Be sure to include following data:  

  • Film's title;
  • Contributors (director's name(s), main actor(s) name(s));
  • Film or production studio/company;
  • Release date;
  • Version, if any (e.g. extended version, director's cut);
  • Platform where you watched this movie (e.g. library database's or hosting website's title, streaming service's name).

Note:  if you are citing a film from any website (e.g. cite YouTube video MLA ), mention username of a person who uploaded it, MLA date publication, video's URL and accessed date. Always start with movie's title. If this film is based on a literary work, besides director's name, indicate a book's author and title. Do not forget to indicate genre: documentary, feature film, TV series, performance. Take a look at the following example:  

Example of citing a film in MLA

How to Cite a Movie in-Text: MLA

Even though you'll have your sources in your bibliography page or reference list, knowing how to cite a movie in MLA in text is still important. First, create an an entry for MLA Works Cited page. You will be prompted to fill in appropriate items. Indicate title, release date, film's director's name. Then write film's title in italics. For example:  

Example of in-text citing a movie in MLA

Do not use caps or bold text. After you have specified movie's title, write the timestamp.

MLA in-Text Citation: Movie Quote

When you learn some basics of  MLA in text citation , figuring out how to cite a movie quote in MLA is pretty much an easy task. First things first: after title, director's name is indicated, and performers' names are listed. In a documentary, this can include host, an announcer, or an entire cast. Make your list of performers. In some documentaries, this step can be skipped. Name actors if they are relevant to your research. In feature films, it is important to name leading actors. It is necessary to add several participants in TV show. If you're researching visual effects, include name of operator. Text links are placed in brackets after quote itself. If there are many production members or performers, you can write the first name, then use abbreviation et al. For example:  

Example of in-text citing a movie quote in MLA

Looking for  how to cite a movie APA or other citation format, browse our library. You will find everything you need.

How to in-Text Cite a Movie Scene: MLA

Consider how to cite a movie scene MLA in text if you need to specify a certain part of performance. To do this, it is enough to indicate time stamp. If several versions of film have been released for distribution, please indicate version. It can be directorial, extended, language, or for distribution in different countries. When quoting films broadcasted by various online streaming services , indicate the web address of the service or the name of the site, and add the link to broadcast. After the quote, include the film's title and a time stamp. The latter is indicated instead of the page number. For example:  

Example of in-text citing a movie scene in MLA

Would you like to know how to cite a song MLA ? We have such a kind of blog on our platform.

MLA Movie Citation: Bottom Line

Correctly citing a movie in MLA makes your research more meaningful. Credibility of movie you link to reinforces your conclusions. Citations tell you how much you have learned. Correct format testifies to your accuracy and ability to use sources. When you cite a relevant movie, you amplify impact of your research. A well-formed quote shows depth of your knowledge. Check spelling of all elements in movie credits. Each study may contain at least 3-5 citations. Be respectful to filmmakers, provide all original information correctly.  

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If you are still uncertain about citing in MLA style, do not hesitate to contact our academic assistants! They will gladly help you with your assignment. With StudyCrumb you can count on timely completion of quality work.

FAQ About Citing Movies in MLA

1. when citing a movie, do you italicize.

When you're dealing with MLA format for movie citation, titles are always in italics. This applies to television series, performances, television shows. Individual episode names are enclosed in quotation marks.

2. When citing a film in MLA, what is a "perf."?

When you want to cite a movie in MLA, you must include the name. "Perf." stands for "performer". This word is placed in the beginning of list of names after the title of film, name of director or producer.

3. When citing a movie, do you only include producers or line and executive producers too?

The correct movie's company citation in MLA is accompanied by an indication of the production company. If several companies have worked on production, their names should be separated by semicolons. Reference to source element must be specified.

4. When citing a movie based on a book, do we indicate the director or author of the book?

When citing a movie based on book, we indicate the director's name. Films and books are always a different piece of art. Book is revised when the script is being created. This gives filmmakers their own copyright. We write the name of a book's author only in case when the writer has participated in creation of a film based on book.

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Emma Flores knows all about formatting standards. She shares with StudyCrumb readers tips on creating academic papers that will meet high-quality standards.

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How to Write a Movie Review

How do I cite information about a movie from a website like IMDb ?

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 .

Basic publication facts about a movie (e.g., the title, director, year of release) should be taken from the version of the movie you watch, when possible. Other movie information published on a website will likely fall into two categories: common knowledge and information that requires documentation—that is, information, analysis, and wording specific to the website.

Common Knowledge

Details about a movie (e.g., awards received, filming locations) that can be corroborated by numerous reference works usually do not need to be documented. 

Plot Summaries

If you watch a film, you should generally recount its plot in your own words. If, however, you use a specific turn of phrase about a movie’s plot from a site like IMDb , then treat the site as your source. In creating your works-cited-list entry, assess the work you are citing using the MLA format template . The entry for the quotation below provides the nom de plume of the author, a description of the work in the “Title of source” slot, the title of the website that contains the plot summary, and the URL in the “Location” slot:

Writing of A New Leaf , one reviewer effectively explains the paradox central to the plot: “The main agent of change is a phenomenally passive and unassuming Henrietta Lowell” (Kid).  Work Cited The_Kid in Bellevue. Plot summary of A New Leaf . IMDb , www.imdb.com/title/tt0067482/plotsummary?ref_=tt_stry_pl.

Reviews posted online should also be documented:

A New Leaf , directed and written by Elaine May, portrays May as Henrietta Lowell, a “deliciously inept, awkward, filthy rich botanist” (Rowanwood). Work Cited Rowanwood. “Deserves Cult Status.” 27 Dec. 2002. IMDb ,  www.imdb.com/title/tt0067482/reviews?ref_=tt_ov_rt .
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How to Properly to Cite Dialogue in MLA

Last Updated: February 13, 2024 References

This article was reviewed by Gerald Posner and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Gerald Posner is an Author & Journalist based in Miami, Florida. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in investigative journalism, nonfiction books, and editorials. He holds a law degree from UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and a BA in Political Science from the University of California-Berkeley. He’s the author of thirteen books, including several New York Times bestsellers, the winner of the Florida Book Award for General Nonfiction, and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. He was also shortlisted for the Best Business Book of 2020 by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 68,997 times.

When you're writing a paper about a work of literature, such as a play or story, you might need to quote from the dialogue. If you're using the citation style of the Modern Language Association (MLA), your Works Cited entry will be the same as it would be for any book, play, or other source. However, the format and in-text citation of dialogue can be a little tricky, especially when you're quoting several lines of dialogue directly.

In-Text Citation

Use this method if your quote is short (3 lines or fewer) and only includes speech from one character. [1] X Research source

Step 1 Put single quotation marks around the speech if it's only part of the quoted passage.

  • For example, you might write: Nick, the narrator of the story, clearly has class insecurity: "'You make me feel uncivilized, Daisy,' I confessed on my second glass of corky but rather impressive claret. 'Can't you talk about crops or something?'" (Fitzgerald 15)

Step 2 Use double quotation marks if you're quoting only the speech.

  • For example, you might write: Tom brings his racism full center when he exclaims that "civilization's going to pieces." (Fitzgerald 15)
  • For example, you might write: Tom describes a book he's been reading and asserts "The idea is if we don't look out the white race will be — will be utterly submerged. It's all scientific stuff; it's been proved" (Fitzgerald 16).

Block Quotes

Use this method for quotes that are longer than 3 lines or include speech from more than one character.

Step 1 Introduce the block quote with a colon.

  • For example, you might write: "You don't have to read far into Fitzgerald's book to encounter outright racism:" and then follow with a block quote about Tom discussing his white supremacist thoughts.

Step 2 Set the left margin of the block quote 0.5 in (1.3 cm) over from your text.

  • With dialogue from a novel or short story, retain the paragraph format that appears in the original source and use double quotation marks around the spoken dialogue.
  • If you're quoting dialogue from a play, the margins are different. The entire quote is set off 1 in (2.5 cm) from the text of your paper. Each subsequent line beyond a character's first is indented an additional 0.25 in (0.64 cm) (about 3 spaces). [7] X Research source

Step 3 Start each line with the character's name when quoting a play.

  • Don't use quotation marks anywhere in the dialogue when block-quoting dialogue from a play.
  • For example, you might quote the dialogue before Romeo and Juliet's first kiss: ROMEO. Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too? JULIET. Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer. ROMEO. O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. They pray: grant thou, lest faith turn to despair. JULIET. Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake. ROMEO. Then move not while my prayer's effect I take. (Shakespeare 1.5.112-117)

Step 4 Add the page number or range in parentheses at the end of the block quote.

  • For example, the last lines of your block quote might look like this: And I hope she'll be a fool — that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool." (Fitzgerald 19-20)

Works Cited

Use this method to organize information about the source in your Works Cited entry.

Step 1 Start your Works Cited entry with the author's name.

  • Example: Fitzgerald, F. Scott.
  • If there are 2 authors, list them in the order they appear on the title page of the book. Place a comma after the first author's first name, then type the word "and," followed by the second author's first and last name. (Example: Smith, John and Sally Ride)
  • If there are 3 or more authors, list only the first author's name, add a comma after their first name, then type the abbreviation "et al." (Example: Smith, John, et al.)

Step 2 Add the title of the source.

  • Book example: Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby .
  • Short story example: Fitzgerald, F. Scott. "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz."

Step 3 Include the title of the larger work and editor if necessary.

  • Short story example: Fitzgerald, F. Scott. "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz." The Short Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald , edited by Matthew J. Bruccoli,
  • For literary journals or other periodicals , include the volume and issue numbers as well.

Step 4 List the publisher and year of publication.

  • Book example: Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby . Scribner, 2004.
  • Short story example: Fitzgerald, F. Scott. "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz." The Short Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald , edited by Matthew J. Bruccoli, Scribner, 1995.

Step 5 Close your entry with a URL if the source is available online.

  • Book example: Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby . Scribner, 2004. gutenberg.net.au/ebooks02/0200041h.html.
  • Short story example: Fitzgerald, F. Scott. "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz." The Short Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald , edited by Matthew J. Bruccoli, Scribner, 1995. public-library.uk/ebooks/28/56.pdf.

Template to Cite Dialogue in MLA

how to quote a movie in an essay mla

Expert Q&A

  • If you're quoting Shakespeare , use the act, verse, and line numbers, rather than the page numbers of the specific edition you're using. With other plays, use the page number, as you would with any book. [15] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

how to quote a movie in an essay mla

  • This article describes how to cite dialogue using MLA 8th edition (2016). If your instructor or supervisor has you using a different edition, the format might be different. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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Cite the WHO in APA

  • ↑ https://www.monmouth.edu/resources-for-writers/documents/mla-citing-drama.pdf/
  • ↑ https://style.mla.org/citing-dialogue-from-a-novel/
  • ↑ https://libguides.msjc.edu/c.php?g=498977&p=3416596
  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_page_books.html
  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_page_basic_format.html
  • ↑ https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/
  • ↑ https://dcc.libguides.com/c.php?g=904157&p=6508010
  • ↑ http://msweinfurter.weebly.com/uploads/5/4/3/7/5437316/mla_in_text_citation_of_poetry_and_drama_godot_and_auden.pdf

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  1. How to Cite a Movie in MLA Style

    To cite a movie from Netflix (and similar online streaming services), add the name of the website or app (e.g. "Netflix app"). If you watched the movie on an unofficial website or video-sharing platform like YouTube, add the website name, the uploader, the date of upload, and the URL. Night of the Living Dead.

  2. How do I create an in-text citation for a film?

    The in-text citation for a film should key to a works-cited-list entry. If you list a film under its title, you must refer to the title in your writing or cite it parenthetically: Point of No Return , a remake of Nikita, deviates from the original French movie in several ways. Luc Besson ( Nikita) and John Badham ( Point) approach the figure of ...

  3. MLA Formatting Quotations

    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.)

  4. MLA In-Text Citations: The Basics

    In-text citations: Author-page style. MLA format follows the author-page method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the page number (s) from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken must appear in the text, and a complete reference should appear on your Works Cited page. The author's name may appear either in the ...

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

    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.

  6. 3 Ways to Cite a Movie Using MLA Style

    After you've cited the title, type "Dir." to abbreviate "director.". Then add the name of the director, listing their first name first and last name second. Put periods after "Dir" and the director's full name. [2] Your citation should now look something like this: " Notting Hill. Dir. Roger Michell.". 3.

  7. How to Cite a Film or Documentary 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 ...

  8. MLA Works Cited for Movies, Films, and TV Shows

    Works Cited Format. The basic format starts with the title. Then, include the director, film studio and release year. If it's important to the citation, include the performer's name after the director. Title of Movie. Contributor (s). Publisher/Production Company, Year of Release. Examples: The Color Purple.

  9. How to Cite a Movie, Video, or Television Show

    To create a basic works-cited-list entry for a movie, list the title of the movie. Then in the Contributor element, list the name of the director. Next, in the Publisher element, provide the name of the company that produced the movie, followed by the release date. You might include other elements, such as additional contributors if they are ...

  10. How to Cite Movie Lines in MLA in an Essay

    Movie lines can provide relevant punch to an essay. But if you quote a film, be sure to cite it just as conscientiously as you would cite a novel or poem. The first requirement is to quote the movie precisely; any words in quotation marks must be identical to the actual lines spoken in the movie.

  11. How to Cite 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 ...

  12. How to Quote a Movie or Film Like a Professor

    Radio. Regarding how to cite a movie in text If you have found your source on some website, use the following template: Last name, First name of the creator. "Title of the film or video.". Title of the website, role of contributors and their full name or username, Version, Numbers, Publisher, Publication date, URL.

  13. Cite Film or TV quotes in text parentheses MLA 8th or 9th edition

    A quick tutorial showing how to cite a quote or a moment from a film or a TV episode using MLA Style 8th or 9th edition. Use a time stamp with hours, minutes...

  14. MLA In Text Citation for a Film Example

    2 Min read. Use this MLA 8 in-text citation for a film example to help you write your school paper. MLA format is a flexible editorial style designed for formatting research papers in the humanities. While creating your works cited page, remember that each in-text citation must have a corresponding source entry.

  15. How do I cite a movie scene or quotation in the body of my paper?

    Your goal is to help your reader find whatever it is that you're writing about. First your reader would find the movie in your list of references, and then they could find the exact spot within the movie. For the MLA, include the specific time-stamp (in the case of a quotation) or include the time-stamp range (if you refer to a scene or section ...

  16. How to Cite a Film / Movie in MLA 9th Edition

    How do you cite a film or tv show in the updated MLA 9th edition format? Watch this video to find out.

  17. MLA Works Cited: Other Common Sources

    Cite your source automatically in MLA. Use the following format for all sources: Author. Title. Title of container (self contained if book), Other contributors (translators or editors), Version (edition), Number (vol. and/or no.), Publisher, Publication Date, Location (pages, paragraphs URL or DOI). 2 nd container's title, Other contributors ...

  18. How to Cite a Movie In MLA: a Guide From StudyCrumb

    MLA in-Text Citation: Movie Quote. When you learn some basics of MLA in text citation, figuring out how to cite a movie quote in MLA is pretty much an easy task. First things first: after title, director's name is indicated, and performers' names are listed. In a documentary, this can include host, an announcer, or an entire cast.

  19. How do I cite information about a movie from a website like IMDb?

    If, however, you use a specific turn of phrase about a movie's plot from a site like IMDb, then treat the site as your source. In creating your works-cited-list entry, assess the work you are citing using the MLA format template. The entry for the quotation below provides the nom de plume of the author, a description of the work in the ...

  20. How to Properly to Cite Dialogue in MLA

    3. Place the page number or range in parentheses after the quote. If you haven't mentioned the author in the text of your paper, include their last name first. Then, type only the page number, or the first page of the range and last page of the range, separated by a hyphen. Place a period outside the closing parenthesis.