To cite a movie in MLA format, follow this general structure: Works Cited entry format: Title of Movie. Directed by First Name Last Name of Director, Production Company or Distributor, Year of Release. Streaming Service Name (if applicable), URL (if applicable). Example for a movie on a streaming platform: A Street Cat Named Bob. Directed by Roger Spottiswoode, Sony, 2016. Netflix , [www.netflix.com.1]
Example for a movie on DVD: A Wrinkle in Time. Directed by Ava DuVernay, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 2018. DVD.
Additional notes:
- If emphasizing a specific contributor (director, performer), start the citation with their name and role, then the movie title.
- For streaming movies, include the platform and URL.
- If citing a particular version (director’s cut, extended), specify it.
In-text citation: Use the movie title (or a shortened version) in parentheses, optionally including a time range if citing a specific scene. Example: (A Street Cat Named Bob) or (A Wrinkle in Time 19:25–30:06)
This format aligns with MLA 9th edition guidelines and is widely accepted for academic writing.
