In MLA (Modern Language Association) style, movie titles are consistently formatted using italics. This formatting convention extends across research papers, essays, and any academic writing adhering to MLA guidelines, signaling to the reader that the text refers to a self-contained, longer work, distinct from shorter works like articles or poems.
The Core Rule: Italics for Movie Titles
The foundation of citing movie titles in MLA is simple: italicize the entire title. This rule applies whether you’re mentioning the movie in passing within your text or including it in your Works Cited page. Ignoring this rule can significantly detract from the professionalism and credibility of your work.
Consider these examples:
- Casablanca is a classic example of wartime romance.
- The documentary Man with a Movie Camera is a landmark achievement in filmmaking.
- He argued that Citizen Kane‘s innovative cinematography influenced countless subsequent films.
Italics vs. Quotation Marks: When to Use Which
While movies are italicized, shorter works within a movie (or related to it) require quotation marks. Think of episodes of a television series, songs featured in the film, or even short films discussed as part of a movie’s overall context.
For example:
- The episode “The Gang Gets Analyzed” from the television show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
- The song “As Time Goes By” is famously associated with Casablanca.
The general rule of thumb: independent, longer works get italics; shorter works within them get quotation marks.
Capitalization Rules for Movie Titles in MLA
Capitalization follows standard title case conventions. This means you capitalize the first word, the last word, and all principal words, including nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet), and prepositions (of, to, in, on, at, etc.) are generally lowercase, unless they are the first or last word of the title.
Here are a few examples demonstrating proper capitalization:
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
- Everything Everywhere All at Once
- Gone with the Wind
Subtitles and Capitalization
When a movie title includes a subtitle, capitalize the first word after the colon, even if it’s typically a lowercase word. The same capitalization rules apply to the subtitle as to the main title.
- Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
- Paddington 2: Electric Boogaloo (This example humorously demonstrates that even fictional subtitles still follow the rules).
Movie Titles in the Works Cited Page
When listing a movie in your Works Cited page, the format is slightly more complex, requiring additional information beyond just the title. The entry typically includes the director, the distributor, and the year of release.
Here’s a general template:
Last Name, First Name, director. Movie Title. Distributor, Year.
Example:
Scorsese, Martin, director. Goodfellas. Warner Bros., 1990.
Citing a Movie with Multiple Directors
If the movie has multiple directors, list them in the order they appear on the film, separated by commas.
Coen, Joel and Ethan Coen, directors. The Big Lebowski. Gramercy Pictures, 1998.
Accessing Movies Online
If you accessed the movie online via a streaming service, you’ll need to include that information in your citation, specifying the platform.
Spielberg, Steven, director. Raiders of the Lost Ark. Paramount Pictures, 1981. Netflix, www.netflix.com/title/1180784. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.
Citing Specific Scenes
While less common, you might need to reference a specific scene. In this case, provide a timestamp or description within your in-text citation.
(Scorsese, Goodfellas, 00:47:12-00:48:55)
This example cites a scene in Goodfellas that runs from 47 minutes and 12 seconds to 48 minutes and 55 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how to write movie titles in MLA style:
FAQ 1: What if a movie title contains a title of another work?
If a movie title includes the title of another work, such as a book or song, follow the same MLA formatting rules for that nested title. For example: To Kill a Mockingbird. The film title itself is italicized.
FAQ 2: Do I italicize foreign language film titles?
Yes, italicize foreign language film titles just like you would English titles. If you’re providing an English translation, include it in brackets after the original title: Amélie (Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain).
FAQ 3: What if the movie title starts with “The,” “A,” or “An”?
As mentioned before, lowercase these articles unless they are the first or last word of the title. For example, The Shawshank Redemption.
FAQ 4: How do I cite a movie I watched in a theater?
The Works Cited entry for a movie watched in a theater remains the same as the general template: Last Name, First Name, director. Movie Title. Distributor, Year. The location where you watched the movie is irrelevant to the citation.
FAQ 5: What if the movie has no known director?
While rare, if the director is truly unknown, replace the director’s name with “director.” For example: director. Halloween. Compass International Pictures, 1978.
FAQ 6: How do I cite a commentary track on a DVD or Blu-ray?
To cite a commentary track, treat it as a contribution to the larger work. The format would look something like this:
Director, [Director’s Name]. Commentary on Movie Title. Distributor, Year. DVD/Blu-ray.
FAQ 7: Do I italicize the word “movie” when referring to the medium itself?
No, do not italicize the word “movie” when using it as a general noun. For instance, “I enjoy watching movies.” Only italicize the specific movie title.
FAQ 8: What if I am analyzing a movie script or screenplay instead of the film itself?
If you are analyzing a movie script or screenplay, italicize the title just as you would the movie. You may also need to cite the screenwriter and the publisher of the script, if applicable.
FAQ 9: Are there any exceptions to the italics rule for movie titles?
While generally consistent, specific instructors or publications might have minor deviations. Always check the specific guidelines provided for your assignment.
FAQ 10: How do I handle very long movie titles?
There’s no specific MLA rule for extremely long titles. Follow the standard capitalization and italicization rules. If the title is excessively long, consider focusing on the core part of the title in your discussion.
FAQ 11: What if I need to cite a movie poster or trailer?
Citing a movie poster or trailer requires adapting the basic movie citation format to reflect the specific source. You would need to specify that it is a “Poster” or “Trailer” after the movie title. Also, include the website where you found the trailer (e.g., YouTube) in your Works Cited entry if it applies.
FAQ 12: How do I cite a film festival in which a movie was shown?
While not directly citing the film festival, if the context of your analysis is tied to its premiere at a specific festival, you can mention it parenthetically within your text after the title: (Pulp Fiction, Cannes Film Festival, 1994). You would still cite the main distribution information in your Works Cited entry.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you are correctly citing movie titles in MLA style, enhancing the credibility and clarity of your academic work. Consistent and accurate citation demonstrates attention to detail and respect for intellectual property, crucial elements in academic writing.