When citing a movie in APA style, it is essential to include the director's last name, first initial, the release year, the title of the movie in title case, and the country of origin. The format for citing a movie in APA style is as follows: Director's Last Name, First Initial (Director). (Release Year). Movie title [Motion picture]. Production Company.
APA Citation for a Movie
A comprehensive understanding of APA citation is crucial for academic writing. The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used in social sciences, education, and business. When citing a movie, the APA style requires specific details. For instance, the citation for the movie “The Shawshank Redemption” directed by Frank Darabont would be: Darabont, F. (Director). (1994). The Shawshank Redemption [Motion picture]. Columbia Pictures.
Director and Release Year
The director’s last name and first initial are crucial in APA citations. If the movie has multiple directors, they are separated by commas, with an ampersand (&) before the last director’s name. For example, if a movie is directed by John Smith and Jane Doe, the citation would include Smith, J., & Doe, J. (Directors). The release year is enclosed in parentheses and placed after the director’s name.
Movie Title and Country of Origin
The title of the movie is in title case, and it is italicized. The country of origin is not always required but is included when it is relevant to the context or when the movie might be confused with another of the same title. For example, the citation for a movie titled “The Terminator” made in the United States would be: Cameron, J. (Director). (1984). The Terminator [Motion picture]. United States: Orion Pictures.
Production Company
The production company is an essential element in APA citations for movies. It is included at the end of the citation and is preceded by a colon. For example, the citation for the movie “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” directed by Peter Jackson would include: Jackson, P. (Director). (2001). The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring [Motion picture]. New Line Cinema.
| Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Director's Name | Frank Darabont |
| Release Year | 1994 |
| Movie Title | The Shawshank Redemption |
| Production Company | Columbia Pictures |
In-Text Citations for Movies
In-text citations for movies in APA style typically include the director’s last name and the release year. For example, (Darabont, 1994) for a parenthetical citation, or Darabont (1994) for a narrative citation. If the movie has no director credited, the title is used in the in-text citation, for example, (The Shawshank Redemption, 1994).
Multimedia Sources
For movies found online, the citation may include the URL or DOI if available. The format for an online movie is: Director’s Last Name, First Initial (Director). (Release Year). Movie title [Motion picture]. Retrieved from https://www.example.com. Ensure that the URL is accurate and functional.
Special Considerations
When citing a movie with multiple versions or editions, such as a director’s cut or an anniversary edition, include the specific version in the citation. This information can often be found in the movie’s credits or on the packaging. For example, the citation for the director’s cut of “Blade Runner” would be: Scott, R. (Director). (2007). Blade Runner: The Final Cut [Motion picture]. Warner Bros. Pictures.
How do I cite a movie in APA style if it has no director?
+If a movie has no director, use the title of the movie in the in-text citation and reference list entry. For example, the in-text citation would be (Movie Title, Release Year), and the reference list entry would start with the title of the movie in title case and italicized.
What if the movie is a remake or has multiple versions?
+When citing a remake or a specific version of a movie, ensure that the title clearly indicates it is a remake or a particular version, such as “A Star is Born (2018)” to distinguish it from other versions. Include any additional relevant details in the citation, such as the specific version (e.g., “Director’s Cut”) if it affects the content being referenced.
How do I cite a movie I watched on a streaming platform?
+When citing a movie watched on a streaming platform, follow the standard APA citation format for a movie. If the streaming platform is the distributor and not just the host (which is often the case with original content), you may include it in the citation. However, for most cases, the focus remains on the movie’s title, director, release year, and production company.
