How to Cite Movies in MLA

eHow
July 2, 2011

The Modern Language Association (MLA) is the most common citation style guide for the humanities and liberal arts. The MLA guidelines for citing movies include standard formats for films in theaters as well as recorded movies. There are also formats for emphasizing specific performers and directors, which you might use in biographical research.

Movies by Title

Step 1
List films in theaters or not yet released on DVD by the title in italics. List movies on DVD, VHS, Blu-Ray and other recorded formats the same way. Example: Platoon.

Step 2
Include the name of the director behind the abbreviation, “dir.” Example: Dir. Oliver Stone.

Step 3
List the names of relevant performers if it makes sense for your research or lends clarity to the movie cited. You may want to distinguish a remake of an older movie with at least one actor’s name. These follow the abbreviation, “perf.” Example: Perf. Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe and Charlie Sheen.

Step 4
Name the film studio or distributor that produced the film and the year the film was released, separated with a comma. Example: MGM, 1986.

Step 5
List the medium of publication. For movies in theaters or not yet released, use “Film.” For recorded movies, use “DVD,” “VHS,” etc.

Step 6
Format the citation as follows: Platoon. Dir. Oliver Stone. Perf. Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe and Charlie Sheen. MGM, 1986. DVD.

By Director or Performer

Step 1
Begin the citation with the name of the director or performer you wish to emphasize followed by the proper abbreviation. Example: Ryan Reynolds, perf.

Step 2
Include the title of the movie in italics. Example: Green Lantern.

Step 3
List the film studio or distributor and the year of release, separated with a comma. Example: Warner Brothers, 2011.

Step 4
Include the medium of publication. Example: Film.

Step 5
Format the citation as follows: Ryan Reynolds, perf. Green Lantern. Warner Brothers, 2011. Film.

Tips
As with all MLA works cited, indent the second line of the citation.

References
Purdue Online Writing Lab: MLA Works Cited: Other Common Sources