When referencing Online Movies in academic writing, accurate citations are crucial. Whether you’re analyzing a film streamed on Netflix, a classic movie found on the Internet Archive, or a trailer on YouTube, using the Modern Language Association (MLA) format ensures clarity and academic integrity. This guide provides clear templates and examples to help you correctly cite online movies, enhancing your research and credibility.
Citing Movies from Streaming Platforms
For movies accessed via streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime, your citation needs to specify the platform. Here’s the MLA template:
*Title of Film*. Directed by Director's Name, Screenplay by Screenwriter's Name (if relevant), Production Company, Release Year. *Streaming Platform Name*, URL. Accessed Date.Key points to remember:
- Include contributors relevant to your analysis, such as screenwriters or actors, after the director. Specify their roles (e.g., Performance by, Screenplay by).
- If focusing on a specific actor or director, begin the citation with their name.
- Always include the access date, as online content can change.
Examples:
Coraline. Directed by Henry Selick, screenplay by Henry Selick and Neil Gaiman, Laika, 2009. Netflix, https://www.netflix.com/title/70105599. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.
This citation clearly indicates that Coraline, directed by Henry Selick, was streamed on Netflix and accessed on October 15, 2024.
For citations emphasizing specific contributions:
Kumail Nanjiani, screenwriter, actor. The Big Sick. Directed by Michael Showalter, Amazon Studios and Lionsgate, 2017. Amazon Prime, https://www.amazon.com/Big-Sick-Amazon-Original-Movie/dp/B071YSYB7K.
This example highlights Kumail Nanjiani’s role as screenwriter and actor in The Big Sick, accessed on Amazon Prime.
Spy. Directed by Paul Feig, performances by Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, and Miranda Hart, Fox, 2015. Amazon Prime, https://www.amazon.com/Spy-Melissa-McCarthy/dp/B013EZQV6E.
This citation emphasizes the performances in Spy, available on Amazon Prime.
Citing Movies Re-Published on Websites
When citing online movies found on websites like the Internet Archive—where films are re-published—the format is slightly adjusted to include the website and uploader details:
*Title of Film*. Directed by Director's Name. Production Company, Release Year. *Name of Website*, uploaded by Uploader Name (if different), Date Uploaded, URL. Accessed Date.Note:
- Include the name of the website where you found the movie.
- If the uploader is different from the director or production company, specify their name.
- Provide the date the movie was uploaded to the website.
Examples:
Attack of the Giant Leeches. Directed by Bernard L. Kowalski. Roger Corman Productions, 1959. Internet Archive, uploaded by classiccinemaonline.com, 17 Mar. 2007. https://archive.org/details/AttackOfTheGiantLeeches. Accessed 20 Oct. 2024.
This example cites Attack of the Giant Leeches found on the Internet Archive, uploaded by classiccinemaonline.com.
Dreyer, Carl Theodore, director. The Passion of Joan of Arc. Performance by Renée Jeanne Falconetti. Société Générale des Films, 1928. YouTube, uploaded by iconauta, 23 June 2013, https://youtu.be/d3Q6FVhqLY0.
This citation format is used even when the website is a video platform like YouTube if the full movie is uploaded there, as with The Passion of Joan of Arc.
Citing YouTube Movie Trailers and Short Videos
For shorter online movie content like trailers or analyses found on YouTube, use this format:
Author or Creator. "Title of Video." *YouTube*, uploaded by Uploader Name, Date Published, URL. Accessed Date.Key points:
- If the author is different from the uploader, cite the author’s name first.
- Include the uploader’s name and the date the video was published on YouTube.
Examples:
“The Hate U Give – Official Trailer.” YouTube, uploaded by 20th Century Fox, 24 June 2018, https://youtu.be/3MM8OkVT0hw. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.
This is how you would cite a movie trailer, in this case, for The Hate U Give, uploaded by 20th Century Fox.
Reese, Debbie. “Some Truths, but Lots of Lies: Indigenous Peoples in Children’s Literature.” YouTube, uploaded by ASU Libraries, 28 Nov. 2016, https://youtu.be/Rn5sFPKQ9EY. Accessed 21 Dec. 2017.
This example shows citing a video essay or analysis about movies, where Debbie Reese is the creator and ASU Libraries is the uploader.
By following these guidelines, you can accurately and effectively cite online movies in MLA format, ensuring your academic work is both credible and properly attributed. Remember to always double-check the specific requirements of your instructor or institution, as citation styles can sometimes have nuanced variations.
