How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay
Overview
Italicize movie titles in an essay. This rule applies in MLA, APA, and Chicago style. In a handwritten essay, underline the title instead. Do not place movie titles in quotation marks unless you are referring to a short film in a specific style context.
Movie Title Formatting by Citation Style
| Style | In-text formatting | Reference/Works Cited |
|---|---|---|
| MLA | The Shawshank Redemption (italics) | The Shawshank Redemption. Directed by Frank Darabont, Columbia Pictures, 1994. |
| APA | The Shawshank Redemption (italics) | Darabont, F. (Director). (1994). The Shawshank Redemption [Film]. Columbia Pictures. |
| Chicago | The Shawshank Redemption (italics) | The Shawshank Redemption. Directed by Frank Darabont. Columbia Pictures, 1994. |
| All three major styles agree: movie titles are italicized in both the essay text and the bibliography or reference list. |
Examples in Sentences
**First mention (provide release year for context):** Christopher Nolan's *Inception* (2010) explores the boundaries between dream and reality. **Subsequent mentions:** The final scene of *Inception* deliberately leaves the audience uncertain. **Comparing films:** While *Parasite* uses dark comedy to expose class tension, *Joker* relies on character study to achieve a similar critique. **Referencing a specific scene:** The opening sequence of *Saving Private Ryan* remains one of the most visceral depictions of combat in cinema.
Handwritten and Non-Digital Formats
When writing by hand, you cannot italicize text. The accepted convention is to underline the movie title with a single, continuous line. This applies to in-class essays, exam blue books, and handwritten assignments.
Do not use all caps, bold handwriting, or quotation marks as substitutes for italics. Underlining is the only accepted equivalent.
Special Cases
TV episodes vs. films: A movie title is italicized, but an individual episode of a TV show goes in quotation marks. The series title is italicized: "The Rains of Castamere" is an episode of Game of Thrones.
Foreign-language films: Italicize the title in the original language. You may include a translated title in brackets on first mention: La Haine [Hate] (1995).
Film series: Italicize each individual film title. When referring to the franchise as a whole, italicize the common title: the Harry Potter films.
Short films: MLA and Chicago generally italicize short films the same as features. APA does the same for standalone releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. In MLA, APA, and Chicago style, movie titles are italicized. This applies to both the body of the essay and the Works Cited, Reference list, or bibliography. The rule covers feature films, documentaries, and short films.
Underline the movie title instead of italicizing it. Underlining is the handwritten equivalent of italics. Make sure the underline is continuous and covers the full title.
No. Quotation marks are for shorter works like episodes of a TV series, short films under 30 minutes in some style guides, or individual scenes. A feature-length film title is always italicized (or underlined if handwritten).
In MLA, cite a movie with the title in italics, followed by the director, production company, and year. In-text, use the title in italics in a parenthetical: (*The Godfather*). On the Works Cited page, list: *The Godfather*. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Paramount Pictures, 1972.
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