In MLA (Modern Language Association) style, movie titles are treated as major works and, therefore, should be italicized. Think of them in the same category as books, journals, or long poems. Proper formatting ensures academic integrity and allows readers to quickly distinguish the title of the movie from other elements in your writing.
The Foundation: Italicization is Key
The core principle governing movie title citation in MLA is simplicity: use italics. Whether you’re referring to The Shawshank Redemption, Casablanca, or Everything Everywhere All at Once, the title must be italicized. This distinguishes the film as a standalone, substantial work. The specific rules are straightforward, but understanding why they exist helps internalize the principle and avoid common mistakes.
Why Italics and Not Quotation Marks?
MLA distinguishes between short works (like short stories, poems within collections, or articles) and long works (like novels, entire books of poetry, or films). Short works are enclosed in quotation marks, while long works are italicized. This visual cue helps readers understand the scope and type of work being referenced. Movies are complex and multi-faceted productions, placing them firmly within the “long work” category.
Exceptions to the Italicization Rule
While the italicization rule is generally firm, there are some nuanced exceptions. The most common involves a film title within another film title. If you’re discussing a film like Singin’ in the Rain (which features a fictional movie called The Dancing Cavalier), the embedded title should be set off with quotation marks. This creates a clear hierarchy and avoids confusion.
Examples in Action: Bringing the Rules to Life
Consider these examples of correctly formatted movie titles in MLA style:
- “In his analysis of Citizen Kane, Thompson highlights…”
- “The film Parasite offers a scathing commentary on social inequality.”
- “The use of color in The Wizard of Oz is particularly striking.”
Notice the consistent use of italics, regardless of where the title appears within the sentence. This uniformity is crucial for maintaining a professional and academically sound tone.
Handling Subtitles
Many movies feature subtitles that add crucial context to the main title. When citing a movie with a subtitle in MLA, include the subtitle and separate it from the main title with a colon and a space. For example: Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Remember to italicize the entire title, including the subtitle.
A Note on The
If the word “The” is part of the official movie title, as in The Godfather, include it and italicize it along with the rest of the title. However, if “the” is used as a general article before a movie title that doesn’t officially include it, do not italicize “the.” For example, “the movie Titanic,” is correct, not “the movie The Titanic.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of writing movie titles in MLA essays:
FAQ 1: What if the movie title includes a quotation mark itself?
If the movie title contains a quotation mark, maintain the original formatting of the title within the italics. For example, if a movie is titled “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” the correct citation in your essay would be “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?”. The surrounding italics signal that it’s a movie title.
FAQ 2: Should I italicize foreign movie titles?
Yes, foreign movie titles should also be italicized in MLA style. The language of origin doesn’t affect the italicization rule. For example, Amélie (French) or Spirited Away (Japanese) should both be italicized.
FAQ 3: What about documentary film titles?
Documentary films are treated the same as fictional films in MLA. Italicize the entire title. For example, Free Solo should be italicized.
FAQ 4: How do I cite a movie within my Works Cited page?
The Works Cited entry for a movie is more complex than simply italicizing the title. It typically includes the director, title, distributor, and year of release. For example:
Spielberg, Steven, director. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Universal Pictures, 1982.
FAQ 5: What if I’m referring to a specific scene within a movie?
While the movie title remains italicized, referencing a specific scene doesn’t require any special formatting beyond describing the scene clearly. You don’t put scene titles in quotation marks. Just describe the scene and cite the movie’s title correctly.
FAQ 6: Can I use bold instead of italics?
No. In academic writing, italics are the standard convention for indicating titles of major works. Bold text is typically reserved for headings or emphasis within a sentence, not for citing titles.
FAQ 7: What if the movie title is also the title of a book?
If you’re discussing both the book and the movie based on it, make sure to italicize both titles. Context will usually make it clear which work you are referring to. If needed, clarify by stating “the book [Book Title]” or “the film [Movie Title].”
FAQ 8: How do I handle movie series titles (e.g., Harry Potter)?
The entire series title is not typically italicized unless you are referring to the entire franchise as a single artistic work. Each individual film within the series is italicized. For example, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is italicized, but “the Harry Potter series” is not.
FAQ 9: Is the year of release italicized along with the title?
No, the year of release, when provided in parentheses after the title, is not italicized. It follows standard parenthetical formatting.
FAQ 10: What if the movie title is a single word?
Even if the movie title is only one word, like Jaws, it should still be italicized. The length of the title is irrelevant; the work type (film) dictates the formatting.
FAQ 11: Does capitalization matter within the movie title?
Yes, follow standard title capitalization rules. Capitalize the first and last word of the title, and all principal words (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs). Do not capitalize articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet), or prepositions (in, on, at, to, from, with, etc.) unless they are the first or last word of the title.
FAQ 12: Where can I find more information about MLA formatting?
The official MLA Handbook is the definitive resource for all things MLA. Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) is also an excellent and readily accessible online resource for MLA guidelines. Consulting these resources can help you ensure accuracy and consistency in your writing.
By adhering to these guidelines and addressing these frequently asked questions, you can confidently and accurately cite movie titles in your MLA essays, enhancing the credibility and professionalism of your work. Remember, consistent formatting is crucial for academic integrity and effective communication. Mastering these rules demonstrates attention to detail and a commitment to scholarly standards.