How to Cite a Movie in APA Style | Format & Examples
To cite a movie in APA Style, list its director(s) in the author position and the production company as publisher. The title is written in sentence case and italicized, followed by the label “Film” in square brackets.
The in-text citation includes the last name of the director, and the year. If you are referring to a specific quote or scene from the movie, add a timestamp to direct the reader to the relevant part.
| APA format | Last name, Initials. (Director). (Year). Movie title [Film]. Production Company. |
|---|---|
| APA reference entry | Scott, R. (Director). (1979). Alien [Film]. Brandywine Productions. |
| APA in-text citation | (Scott, 1979, 0:45:14) |
The citation format for TV shows is slightly different.
Citing movies in different formats
In general, you don’t need to specify the format in which you watched the film. However, if you are discussing a specific version of the film (for example, if you refer to the special features of a DVD), you can specify the version in the citation.
Where to find source information for a movie citation
The source information you need for your citation can usually be found in the movie’s end credits or on the packaging for a physical release. Otherwise, you can check on IMDb.
Information on the production company can be found further down this page, under the heading “Company Credits.”
Sources in this article
We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.
This Scribbr articleCaulfield, J. (June 16, 2022). How to Cite a Movie in APA Style | Format & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://www.scribbr.com/apa-examples/movie/
