do you quote movie titles in essays

Quotes or Italics? Citing Titles of Books, Movies & TV Shows

When citing titles of songs, books, movies or tv shows, should you place them in italics or quotation marks? The answer is, ‘It depends.’

There are certain things you need to know if you’re writing about your favorite song, novel, film or television series. Some people insist that when citing titles, you should use italics. Others get bent out of shape and insist that’s wrong and that you should put quotes around them instead. There’s an easy way to know which to use when you cite book, movie and TV show titles.

But the fact that there’s an easy way doesn’t mean it’s one you’ll like.

In fact, it all boils down to the style guide you use. If you’re in school, there’s almost certainly a style guide your school prefers. Professionally, you don’t necessarily have to be a journalist to face the quirks of a style guide.

Unfortunately, different style guides offer different rules. So here’s a sampling of how a few of them differ.

I’m going to start with the Associated Press Style Book because that’s the one I use in my professional job. It’s also the one I mostly rely on for this blog, although here I may deviate occasionally.

AP makes everything simple when it comes to citing such titles. But you may not agree with their simplicity.

Don’t feel bad: A lot of us who use AP Style don’t always agree with everything they come up with. I could make a list.

The Perdue Writing Lab says you use quotation marks in AP Style. You’ll note in that last sentence I listed that source in bold. That’s not AP Style, but I think for a blog, it’s nice when you make bold a source that you’re actually hyperlinking to. So if you follow AP Style and can’t deviate, don’t use bold, either.

AP Style dictates that you should put quotation marks around books, songs, television shows, computer games, articles, poems, lectures, speeches and works of art. Don’t put quotation marks around titles of magazines, newspapers, books that are catalogs of reference materials or the Bible.

AP’s dislike of italics dates back to the old printing presses. It was impractical to stock more letters for italics. I doubt that any newspapers still rely on old-fashioned linotype machines. In this computer age, why can’t we just italicize?

Hey, that’s not up to me. So until AP changes that rule, stick with quotes: forget you even have the option of italics… if AP Style is your style guide.

If you’re in academia, you probably rely on the Modern Language Association’s style guide, which you’ve probably only ever heard of as “MLA Style.”

Like most guides other than AP, MLA mixes it up a bit. Northern Arizona University sums it up nicely in their MLA resource page.

But let me give you a snapshot: Book, movie and TV show titles go in italics. Individual episodes of TV shows go in quotation marks:

• My favorite episode of The Andy Griffith Show is “Man in a Hurry.”

Newspaper and magazine names go in italics. But names of broadcast networks are merely capitalized.

Albums and musicals are set in italics. Individual song titles go in quotes.

The one I find most curious is the style guide of the American Psychological Association. Since I doubt most of you have to deal with this one, which is more often used in academic medical papers, I won’t spend a lot of time on this one.

If you do use APA Style, I appreciate you. You make me realize that my gripes with AP Style may not be so bad after all.

What bothers me about APA Style is its rule of using sentence case for show titles in citations . AP Style would call Rod Serling’s famous program “The Twilight Zone.” MLA would style it as The Twilight Zone . But in citations, APA styles it as The twilight zone . Only the first word is capitalized.

Your mileage (and style guide) may vary.

The best advice I can give you here is to check the style guide that you use.

If you don’t use a style guide, the one that makes the most sense to me in the 21st century would be MLA, in which you italicize book, newspaper, magazine, album, movie and TV shows and put episode and song titles in quotes.

That practice, I think, makes the most sense to most readers without being distracting. I don’t think AP’s rule about putting everything in quotes confuses anyone, but I think italics look better.

As for APA, well, if the sentence case TV show titles rule makes sense to you, more power to you. I can’t see that as anything but a mistake!

But again, you should either consult the style guide you’re required to use or codify your own policy for such instances. That way, you remain consistent whenever you write.

That’s always a good thing.

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Quotation Marks or Italics In Titles?

| Candace Osmond

| Punctuation

Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

You’ve probably asked yourself while writing an essay: Should I italicize a play title or enclose it in quotation marks? What about a song title?

Don’t feel guilty for not knowing the rules for quotation marks or italics in titles . Even the most experienced writers have the same problem.

I’ll show you the basic rules for choosing between quotation marks and italics in titles. This guide features the guidelines of Chicago, MLA, and APA.

Using Italics or Quotation Marks in Titles

Using italics vs. quotation marks in titles depends on your style guide. But the general rule is to italicize long titles, such as titles of books, movie titles, or album titles.

Meanwhile, you must write titles in quotation marks for shorter pieces like musical titles, magazines, TV series, and articles. Note that the AP style does not put magazines, newspaper style, or journals in quotation marks.

• “How You Feel About Gender Roles Will Tell Us How You’ll Vote” is an article worth the read.
• My favorite song is “If I could Fly.”
• My Year of Rest and Relaxation is for readers who want to escape their stressful lives.

Works That Require Italics

Use Italics for titles such as the following:

• Pieces with sections, such as a collection or anthology.
• Some scientific names.
• Computers and video games.
• Titles of newspapers and titles of articles from newspapers.
• Play titles.
• Works of art.
• Court cases.
• Television and radio shows.
• Episode titles.
• Book titles.
• Magazine articles.
• Album titles.
• Names of Ships.
• Operas, musical titles, and other musical works.

Here are some examples of italicized works:

• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
• Michelangelo’s David.
• When Harry Met Sally.
• Do you have a copy of Wag the Dog by award-winning author Larry Beinhart?
• My favorite mystery book is In the Woods by the bestselling author Tana French .

The source’s title is usually italicized in a bibliography or reference list entries. But it can also depend on the source type. If you’re citing a journal article, every citation style italicizes the journal title instead of the article.

• Asher, J. (2017). Thirteen reasons why . Penguin Books.
• (2011). When Harry met Sally . Santa Monica, Calif: MGM Studio distributed by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Works That Require Quotation Marks

Use double quotes for the following types of work.

• Comic strips.
• Article title.
• Generic titles.
• Short works like essays
• Short story titles.
• Song titles.

Remember that quotation marks come in pairs, so add both opening and closing quotation marks. Here are some examples where we use friendly quotation marks in titles:

• “Cul de Sac” is a darkly humorous comic.
• “Cinderella” is my favorite chapter title from the Big Blue Book .

Big Things vs. Little Things

“Big things” include a collection of novels or book series, movies, cartoon series, and other works that can stand independently. We can also consider them as complete bodies of work.

Meanwhile, the “little things” depend on other groups, so we put them in quotes.

Think of a “single” in an album title or a “book chapter” in a book title. Another good example includes “manuscripts” in collections.

Remember that this isn’t a perfect rule. But it helps writers determine whether they should quote or italicize the title of a work.

Italics vs. Quotation Marks in Style Guides

The grammar rules on italicizing or quoting titles are usually a matter of style. Take a look at the title formats’ differences among style guides.

In the Modern Language Association style guide, a quick rule is to italicize titles that are longer. Experienced writers state that these “longer works” include books, journals, court cases, etc. Ship names and other notable names are also in italics.

But for shorter works like articles and poems, MLA Style Guide recommends you format titles with double quotation marks.

Chicago Style

The Chicago Manual of Style goes by the same basic rules as MLA. Titles of major works, such as books, and special names like a ship should be in italics. But place the item in quotation marks for subsections of larger bodies like journal articles, blogs, and book chapters.

According to the APA Style 7th edition , you should use italics for titles like journals, magazines, and newspapers. Books, artworks, webpages, and any other larger body of work also use italics.

However, writers who follow APA use the regular type of format for shorter works. These include essays or works in journal articles and lectures.

When to Not Use Italics or Quotation Marks

There’s a specific type of title that all major style guides have no recommendations for. The following do not use italics or quotation marks for titles:

• Commercial products.
• Political documents.
• Legal documents.
• Major religious books or scriptures.
• Name of artifacts.
• Names of buildings.
• Constitutional documents.
• Traditional game.

If you are formatting titles on a website, there’s no need to follow the rules on italics vs. quotation marks. You can go with any more visually appealing style since online web pages are less formal than print materials.

Prioritize the font type, size, and headings when formatting websites and web pages. Make decisions based on what will attract visitors.

When to Underline Instead of Quote or Italicize

If you write using pen and paper, italicizing works can be challenging. Many style manuals recommend underlining the source instead. It’s easier, more practical, and keeps your handwriting legible.

Final Word on Italics vs. Quotes in Titles

An easy way to remember is that most types of titles are almost always in italics. APA, MLA, and Chicago manuals of style recommend italics for longer works.

I hope this guide on using quotation marks and italics in titles helps you become a better writer. 

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How to Format Movie Titles in Academic Writings

• by Lesley V.
• October 26, 2023

How to write a movie title in an essay?

Students, especially those in Arts, often refer to films or movie series in their papers. The formatting rules here are easy to remember. But:

They vary a bit, depending on the citation style you use.

In this post, I’ve gathered the guidelines for citing movie titles in five primary formats. Examples included, for you to compare and remember everything better.

How to Write Movie Titles in Essays

Are movie titles italicized?

It’s the most frequent question students ask when looking for this information online. Indeed, most citation formats prescribe italicizing. Other general rules include:

• Uppercase for subtitles
• Extra short movie names (like “It” ) may also go in quotations
• When using quotation marks (AP style), put punctuation inside them

Below are the details on how to format movie titles in essays and reference lists correctly.

Writing Film Titles in Different Citation Styles

For APA style (1):

• Uppercase all four-letter words and above
• Uppercase the first and the last word of a movie title, even if they are short articles (a, the) or pronouns (in, at, etc.)
• Italicize the entire name

For MLA format (2):

• Uppercase movie titles and subtitles
• Use capital letters for both parts of hyphenated words
• No uppercase for articles (a, the) and short conjunctions within the movie name
• Italicize the entire movie title

For Chicago style:

• Uppercase all main words
• Lowercase short conjunctions (below four letters) within the movie title
• Uppercase prepositions, regardless of their length

For AP citation style:

• Lowercase articles (a, the) and prepositions/conjunctions that are shorter than four letters
• Uppercase articles and prepositions/conjunctions in the beginning/end of the title
• No italics; put movie names in quotation marks

For Harvard style:

• Uppercase all primary words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.)
• Lowercase articles and prepositions/conjunctions (below four letters) within the movie title

How to Capitalize Movies in Papers

When writing a film name in a sentence, capitalize every word except for:

• Articles (a, an, the) within the movie title
• Short (below four letters) prepositions and conjunctions within the title

If a movie name begins with the above, use uppercase. Also, write long prepositions/conjunctions (moreover, although, etc.) with a capital letter. For example:

Italics vs. Quotations vs. Underlines

Most citation styles, except AP, prescribe italicization for movies and film series titles. When writing in AP, use quotation marks.

Quotes are also possible to use if you mention super short movie names like “It” or “M.” You italicize them in APA, MLA, or Chicago.

Underlines are for handwritten essays. When written by hand, you can’t italicize, huh? Use underlining instead to highlight a movie title somehow.

How to Format Punctuation in Movie Titles

If punctuation is a part of a film name, place it inside quotation marks or italicize it.

For example:

Writing Movie Titles in Reference Lists

Do you italicize movie titles.

Here they go, the rules on formatting movie titles in essays. Now that you know how to write a movie title in an essay properly, the only detail remains:

Check the formatting guidelines before writing. What citation style does an educator or editor ask you to follow? If none assigned, choose one and stick to it for consistency.

References:

• https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/index.html  
• https://lib.westfield.ma.edu/c.php?g=354010&p=2388441

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When Writing a Movie Title in an Essay: Expert Recommendations

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Choosing the Correct Format for Writing Movie Titles in Your Essay

Understanding the difference between italics and quotation marks for movie titles, guidelines on capitalization for movie titles in your essay, including movie release dates in your essay: do’s and don’ts, do’s and don’ts of including movie release dates in your essay, mentioning movie directors and actors: when and how to include in your essay, providing context for movie titles: how to integrate them seamlessly into your writing, avoiding common mistakes when referencing movie titles in an essay, frequently asked questions, the way forward.

When it comes to writing movie titles in your essay, it’s essential to follow the correct format to maintain consistency and accuracy. Properly formatting movie titles enhances the overall professionalism and readability of your essay. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the correct format:

1. Italicize the titles: When writing the title of a movie, it is customary to italicize it. For example, if you are discussing the film “The Shawshank Redemption,” you should write it as The Shawshank Redemption . This will distinguish the title from the rest of your essay and make it visually appealing to your readers.

2. Capitalizing the first and last words: In movie titles, similar to other titles, it is crucial to capitalize the first and last words. Additionally, capitalize all important words, such as nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs. For instance, if you are referring to the movie “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” capitalize it as The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring . This formatting style ensures consistency and professionalism throughout your essay.

3. Exclude articles and prepositions: When including movie titles in your essay, exclude articles (such as “the” or “a”) and prepositions (such as “of” or “in”) unless they are the first or last word of the title. This rule helps maintain conciseness and clarity in your writing. For example, if you are mentioning the film “Gone with the Wind,” write it as Gone with the Wind , without including the article “the.”

By following the correct format for writing movie titles in your essay, you will convey a strong sense of professionalism and ensure that your work is easily readable and visually appealing. Remember to italicize the titles, capitalize the important words, and exclude articles and prepositions unless they are the first or last word of the title. Consistency is key when incorporating movie titles, so be sure to apply these guidelines consistently throughout your writing.

When it comes to writing about movies, it’s important to understand the differences between italics and quotation marks for movie titles. Using these punctuation marks correctly can enhance your writing and make it more professional. Here’s a guide to help you navigate this often-confusing aspect of movie title formatting.

Italics: Italics are typically used for longer works, such as movies, books, or TV shows. They are used to emphasize the title and set it apart from the rest of the text. When writing a movie title in italics, it’s important to remember the following:

• Italicize the entire title, including any subtitles if present. For example, The Godfather: Part II .
• Do not use quotation marks in conjunction with italics when writing a movie title.
• Ensure consistency throughout your writing – if you italicize one movie title, be sure to italicize all others.

Quotation Marks: Quotation marks are generally used for shorter works, such as individual episodes of TV shows, songs, or short films. When using quotation marks for movie titles, keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Place quotation marks around the title, using double quotation marks (” “). For example, “Inception”.
• If a movie title contains a quotation, only use double quotation marks around the entire title. For instance, “Casablanca: ‘Here’s looking at you, kid'”.
• Avoid using italics and quotation marks together in the same movie title.

By understanding the distinction between italics and quotation marks for movie titles, you’ll be able to provide clear and cohesive writing. Remember to refer back to this guide whenever you’re unsure of the appropriate formatting for movie titles. Happy writing!

When it comes to writing your essay, following the proper guidelines for capitalization in movie titles is crucial. By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure that your essay maintains a polished and professional appearance. Here are some essential tips to remember:

1. Capitalize the first and last words of the movie title, as well as any other important words. For example, in the movie title “The Shawshank Redemption,” capitalize “The,” “Shawshank,” and “Redemption.”

2. Capitalize all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs within the movie title. This includes words like “A,” “An,” “And,” “But,” and “Or.” However, conjunctions and prepositions of fewer than four letters, such as “to,” “for,” “in,” and “with,” should not be capitalized unless they are the first or last word in the title.

3. If the movie title contains a hyphenated word, capitalize both words. For instance, in the movie title “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” capitalize “Harry,” “Potter,” “Deathly,” “Hallows,” and “Part.”

4. Remember to italicize or underline movie titles when writing in an essay. This helps to differentiate the title from the rest of the text and emphasizes its importance.

When it comes to incorporating movie release dates in your essay, following the right practices can enhance the credibility and clarity of your work. To help you navigate this academic landscape, we’ve compiled a list of do’s and don’ts to consider:

• Use the correct format: When mentioning release dates, stick to the standard practice of including the day, month (abbreviated), and year. For example, “The film was released on July 15, 2022.”
• Provide context: It’s essential to incorporate the release date in relevant instances, such as when discussing the historical or cultural impact of a particular movie. This offers your readers a comprehensive timeline of events.
• Verify accuracy: Double-check the accuracy of the release date before including it in your essay. Verify the information through reliable sources, such as reputable film databases or production company websites.

Don’t:

• Make assumptions: Avoid speculating or guessing the release date of a movie. Only include dates that you can confirm with reliable sources or the film’s official announcements.
• Overemphasize: While it’s crucial to mention the release date, remember that it is just one aspect of analyzing a film. Don’t let it overshadow other key elements, such as the plot, cinematography, or critical reception.
• Forget to explain relevance: When mentioning release dates, provide a brief explanation of why they are significant. Help your readers understand why a particular release date matters in the context of your essay’s arguments or analysis.

Movie directors and actors play a vital role in shaping the overall impact of a film. When writing an essay that discusses movies, it is important to know when and how to include these individuals in your discussion. Here are some key points to consider when mentioning movie directors and actors in your essay:

1. **Relevance**: Before mentioning a movie director or actor, ask yourself if their contribution is relevant to your essay’s topic or argument. Including their name should add value and support your main points, rather than being a mere distraction.

2. **Introduction**: When introducing a movie director or actor, provide some background information about them. Mention their notable works, achievements, and their overall impact on the industry. This will help your readers understand their significance within the context of your essay.

3. **Specific examples**: To strengthen your argument and analysis, include specific examples from the movie(s) the director or actor worked on. Highlight key scenes or performances that are relevant to your essay’s discussion. This not only adds credibility to your claims but also allows readers to connect with your analysis on a deeper level.

4. **Quotations and citations**: If you are referencing a particular statement or opinion by a movie director or actor, provide a direct quotation and properly cite the source. This demonstrates that you have conducted thorough research and adds authenticity to your essay.

Remember, mentioning movie directors and actors should enhance your essay’s content and provide additional insight into the films being discussed. Take care not to dwell too much on biographical details or personal information that might distract readers from your main arguments. By considering the relevance, providing background information, using specific examples, and incorporating quotations and citations, you can effectively include movie directors and actors in your essay while maintaining a focused and compelling narrative.

Movie titles play a crucial role in capturing the essence of a film and attracting an audience. However, integrating them seamlessly into your writing can be a challenge. To provide context for movie titles in your work, consider the following tips:

1. **Italicize movie titles**: When mentioning a movie title in your writing, be sure to italicize it to distinguish it from the surrounding text. This formatting convention helps readers identify the title and gives it the emphasis it deserves.

2. **Include relevant information**: In addition to simply mentioning the movie title, provide some context to help readers understand its significance. This could involve mentioning the director, main actors, or even a brief synopsis. By offering this additional information, you paint a more complete picture and generate interest in the film.

3. **Describe the genre and theme**: Depending on the context of your writing, it can be helpful to briefly describe the genre and theme of the movie. This allows readers to get a sense of what to expect and how the title fits into the overall narrative. For example, if discussing a romantic comedy, mention that the movie title reflects the lighthearted tone and love-centered plot.

4. **Consider the release date**: Movies are often referred to by their release year to differentiate similar titles or to acknowledge their existence in a series. Including the release date can ensure clarity and provide readers with more background information.

By incorporating these strategies, you can seamlessly integrate movie titles into your writing, offering readers a better understanding of their purpose and encouraging their engagement with the film. Remember, a well-integrated movie title not only enhances the flow of your writing but also adds depth and intrigue to your content.

When it comes to referencing movie titles in your essay, there are a few common mistakes that you should avoid. These mistakes can not only affect the readability of your essay but also undermine your credibility as a writer. To prevent these errors and ensure your references are accurate, here are some handy tips to keep in mind:

• Italicize the movie titles: One common mistake is failing to properly format the movie titles in your essay. To show that you are referring to the title of a movie, it is essential to italicize it. This helps differentiate the title from the rest of the text and adheres to the standard formatting conventions .
• Use quotation marks for smaller elements: Within the main body of your essay, you may need to refer to smaller elements of a movie, such as scenes, dialogues, or quotes. To distinguish these smaller elements, use quotation marks around them. This allows readers to understand that you are specifically referencing a smaller part of the movie.
• Provide accurate spelling: Always double-check the spelling of the movie title you are referencing. Incorrect spellings can lead to misunderstandings and can reflect poorly on your attention to detail as a writer. Take the time to verify the accuracy of the title to maintain the integrity of your essay.

By following these simple guidelines, you can avoid some of the common mistakes when referencing movie titles in your essay. Remember to italicize the movie titles, use quotation marks for smaller elements, and ensure the accuracy of the spelling. These practices not only enhance the readability of your essay but also demonstrate your professionalism as a writer. So, next time you mention a movie in your essay, do it with precision and style.

Q: Why is it important to correctly format movie titles when writing an essay? A: Properly formatting movie titles is important in any writing, including essays, because it demonstrates your knowledge of grammar rules and shows respect for the original work. It also helps establish your credibility as a writer.

Q: Should movie titles be italicized or placed in quotation marks when mentioned in an essay? A: Movie titles should be italicized when mentioned in an essay. This helps differentiate the title from surrounding text and indicates that it is a work of art or literature. Quotation marks can be an alternative option, but italics are the preferred choice.

Q: Are there any exceptions to the general rule of italicizing or using quotation marks for movie titles? A: Yes, there are a few exceptions. If you are handwriting your essay or using a typewriter that doesn’t have italics, underlining the movie title can be an acceptable alternative. Additionally, if you are writing for a publication that follows different style guidelines, such as newspapers or magazines, they may have their own specific rules for movie title formatting.

Q: How should foreign-language movie titles be treated in an English essay? A: When mentioning foreign-language movie titles in an English essay, it is generally recommended to follow the same formatting rules as for English titles. This means italicizing the title or using quotation marks, depending on your chosen style guide. However, if the foreign-language title includes a well-known word or phrase in English, it is usually not necessary to italicize or use quotation marks around that part.

Q: What if a movie title already contains italics or quotation marks within it? A: If a movie title already contains italics or quotation marks within it, you should follow the style guide you are using consistently. For example, if the original movie title has italics, you might need to use quotation marks around the title when mentioning it in your essay to differentiate it from surrounding text.

Q: Should film series or franchises be handled differently when mentioning their titles in an essay? A: When mentioning film series or franchises in an essay, it’s essential to consider the specific title you are referencing. The general rule is to italicize or use quotation marks around the individual movie title, just as you would with a standalone film. However, if you are discussing the series or franchise as a whole, without mentioning specific movie titles, it may be necessary to capitalize it and avoid any special formatting.

Q: How should abbreviations of movie titles be treated in an essay? A: Abbreviations of movie titles should be treated similarly to the full title. If the movie title is normally italicized or placed in quotation marks, the abbreviation should follow the same formatting. For example, if “The Dark Knight Rises” is italicized, the abbreviation “TDKR” should also be italicized.

Q: Can I use bold or underline instead of italics when formatting movie titles in an essay? A: It is generally recommended to use italics for movie titles, but in certain situations where italics are not available (such as some online forms), bold or underline can be used as substitutes. However, be sure to consult your chosen style guide to ensure its acceptance, as preferences may vary.

Q: Should I ever omit a movie title when writing an essay, or is it always necessary to include it? A: Whether or not to include a movie title in an essay largely depends on the context and purpose of your writing. If discussing specific film analysis or providing examples, including the movie title is vital to support your arguments. However, when writing generally about a movie without directly referencing it, the title might not need to be included. Always consider your audience and the clarity of your writing when deciding whether to include a movie title.

In conclusion, following expert recommendations when writing a movie title in an essay ensures accuracy and professionalism, enhancing the overall quality of your work.

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• Writing Tips

Titles in Essays (Italics or Quote Marks?)

• 4-minute read
• 26th February 2018

Formatting your own essay title is easy (just bung a Heading style on it). Unfortunately, the rules about formatting the titles of existing published works (e.g. a textbook or an article from a journal) are more complicated. Usually, though, it comes down to one question: italics or quote marks?

But most students will need to name a book, journal or website in an essay at some point, so it’s important to know how this works. To help you out, we’ve prepared this guide on when to use italics and when to use quote marks for titles.

When to Use Italics

Titles of longer works are usually italicised. A ‘longer work’ in this case is something presented as a standalone publication. Charles Dickens’ famous novel, for example, would be written as Great Expectations if it were named in an essay.

Other examples of longer works that should be italicised include:

• Books and book-length poems (e.g. ‘An analysis of The Wasteland shows…’)
• Journals, newspapers and magazines (e.g. ‘According to The Guardian …’)
• Websites and blogs (e.g. ‘The project was funded via Unbound …’)
• Films (e.g. ‘ Jaws broke several box-office records…’)
• TV series (e.g. ‘Many fans of The X-Files claim…’)
• Plays and other stage shows (e.g. ‘This production of Swan Lake is…’)
• Paintings and works of art (e.g. ‘The Mona Lisa is currently housed…’)
• Music albums (e.g. ‘The album Sticky Fingers was released in…’)

The key factor is that all of these are standalone products, not part of a greater whole. The main exceptions to this rule are holy texts, such as the Bible, which are not typically italicised.

Italics are also used for the names of particular vehicles in some cases, especially ships and spacecraft. For example, we might write about the space shuttle Enterprise or the HMS Beagle (note that the ‘HMS’ is not italicised, since this is an abbreviation).

When to Use Quote Marks

Quote marks , meanwhile, are usually saved for shorter works. These are often part of a larger publication, such as an article in a newspaper or a chapter in an edited book. For example, if we were to name a book and a chapter in one place we’d write:

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Hugh Wilder’s ‘Interpretive Cognitive Ethology’ was first published in Readings in Animal Cognition , edited by Marc Bekoff and Dale Jamieson.

As indicated by the italics, the book here is called Readings in Animal Cognition . ‘Interpretive Cognitive Ethology’, meanwhile, is an essay from the book, so we use quote marks for this title.

Cases where quotation marks are used for titles include:

• Chapters from books
• Articles in newspapers, magazines and journals
• Particular pages or articles from a website
• Individual poems and short stories
• Episodes from a TV show

It is also common to use quote marks for unpublished writing regardless of length. For example, if you were referring to an unfinished manuscript or a PhD dissertation, you would put the title in quote marks; but if these same documents were published, you would use italics.

Look Out for Exceptions!

The guidelines above will apply in most cases, but there are exceptions. The APA style guide, for example, recommends italicising book titles in the main text of an essay, but not in the reference list. As such, it is wise to check your style guide to see if it has specific advice on formatting titles.

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How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay or Article

When you're writing a paper or article in school or at work, you may be in a situation where you need to write a movie title in your writing. But how should you format them? Should you use italics? Or quotation marks? Or maybe both? Or neither…

The first thing to note is that the rules will be different depending on whether you’re writing an article or an essay. In this guide, we'll explain how to write one in an essay or article so that your writing looks professional and polished. Refer to the relevant section, depending on the piece you are creating. 

The main things to know are:

• If you are writing a movie title in an article, the format you use is up to you (or the company you work for). Pick a format and stick to it.
• If you are writing a movie title in an essay, then you should follow your university's or employer's referencing style guidelines. 

Read on for suggestions of different formats for articles, and more in-depth guidance around different university referencing styles.

How to Write a Movie Title in an Article 

Let's begin by exploring why you need a specific format, and examining some key principles and rules around writing a movie title in an article.

Why You Need a Specific Format 

So picture this. You’re writing an article and want to refer to a particular movie - perhaps to illustrate a point, or maybe you’re critiquing it. But you’re unsure how to format it. You don’t want to be marked down for formatting it incorrectly, so you consider leaving it out to avoid the trouble. Not on our watch!

But hold on a sec! Why should you even worry about this? Why do movie titles need to be formatted correctly anyway? Well, it’s simple really. If you don’t differentiate the title from the rest of the text, your readers might not understand you’re referring to a movie title. Imagine, for instance, that you wrote:

I finally got around to watching three billboards outside ebbing missouri.

Can we agree this sentence doesn’t make any sense? With this punctuation (i.e. none) your reader may well believe that you headed out into the night and found a couple of billboards to look at for some time. 

So do you see why it’s important to have some kind of format for writing movie titles? 

Key Principles and Rules

Now here’s the tricky bit: with articles, there’s no hard and fast rule on how to format a movie title in your writing. There are many different options and any of them would be acceptable to use in an article you’re going to publish online or physically. 

So what to do?

Our first advice is to check in with your editor/head of copywriting / your point of reference at the company you work at. They will most likely have a specific format they like to use and will be able to share that with you.

That’s if you are writing for a company.

If you’re self-publishing, say, for example, on your website or Medium.com, then you’re the boss, friend. The conventions you use are completely up to you. 

But here are a few key principles and rules:

• Common conventions are to use italics or quotations marks
• Choose one format and stick with it - not only throughout the article but in everything you write
• Keep an eye out for the correct spelling of the movie. For example, don’t forget the comma in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. 
• Title case is a great way to further demarcate the movie title from the rest of the text to make it abundantly clear that it’s a movie title.

How to Write a Movie Title in an Essay 

Now let's turn our attention towards writing a movie title in an essay.

New scenario. You’re writing an essay for your college or university course. Perhaps you’re using the movie as an example, or maybe you’re critiquing it.

But you don’t want to be marked down for getting it wrong, so you consider avoiding mentioning it altogether. But that would be a shame! Let us help you. 

Here are some general rules to get you started:

• Follow the rules of your school’s academic writing style (APA, MLA, AP, or Chicago.)
• Use title case
• Use italics or quotation marks (depending on the writing style)

Academic Referencing Styles

There are different academic referencing/writing styles in the English language, and these vary depending on the education establishment. Different styles have different rules that govern the way that you might write, punctuate and cite within your essay.

The four most common styles are Associated Press (AP), Chicago, American Psychological Association (APA), and Modern Language Association (MLA).

Of course, there are many more than just four in existence, but these are the prevalent ones. 

But why are there so many different writing styles, we hear you ask? Quite simply, this is to cater to different fields. For instance, the scientific sector places a lot of importance on using recent research, hence the APA style places the date before anything. Humanities tend to use the MLA style which places the author's name first. 

Write a Movie Title in APA, MLA, and Chicago styles

Luckily, the APA, MLA, and Chicago styles all use the same format for movie titles, so it’ll be easy to remember.

These styles all require that you place the movie title in italics. Here are some examples:

• Saving Private Ryan
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 

Do not use any quotation marks! This is not necessary and will be considered incorrect.

You’ll also notice that the title is written in the title case. This means you capitalize certain words in the title. More on that in the next section.

Write a Movie Title in AP style

The AP style is the exception here since it does not use italics to format movie titles. Instead, you’re required to use quotation marks. Let’s use the same examples as above, to make the difference clear:

• “Kill Bill”
• “Saving Private Ryan”
• “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”

Again, here, remember to use title case. 

Write a Movie Title in Title Case

Using title case means that you capitalize certain words in the title. But depending on the writing style you’re using, there are different rules on which words need capitalizing and which ones don't. Mostly, they disagree on whether or not to capitalize minor words.

Read on to find out the rules for each style, to ensure you’re writing it correctly. 

Note that if you’re writing an article, this will again depend on the rules that the company you work for is using, or if you’re writing for your own business, then you can make your own rules. Remember to pick a structure and stick to it. Consistency is key!

• Capitalize the major words.
• Lowercase the articles the, a, and an.
• Capitalize the ‘to’ in an infinitive (e.g., I Want To Eat Cake)
• Capitalize the first and last words (overrides other rules)
• Capitalize all words of four letters or more (overrides other rules)
• Lowercase the second word after a hyphenated prefix

Chicago Style

• Lowercase articles, prepositions, and coordinating conjunctions
• Lowercase the second part of Latin species names.
• Lowercase articles, prepositions, and coordinating conjunctions.
• Do NOT capitalize ‘to’ in infinitives (e.g., I Want to Eat Cake).

As you can see, all four styles share some common rules but are different in certain small details. 

Incorrect ways to write a movie title

Here are some examples of incorrect ways to write a movie title:

• Saving private ryan
• Eternal SUNSHINE of a Spotless Mind
• “Shawshank Redemption”
• One Flew Over the cuckoo’s Nest

Can you figure out what is wrong with each of these examples? We’ll give you a clue! It has to do with incorrect usage of title cases, block capitals and quotation marks.

A note on reference lists

We just wanted to include a little note here to remind you that when citing a movie in your essay, you should include it in your reference list, or bibliography, depending on the academic writing style you are using. 

Again, the structure of your reference list will vary depending on whether you’re writing in APA, AP, MLA or Chicago, and you can find guidance on this in an official manual for the style (or online).

Other Points of Interest

There are some other things you might be interested in knowing that are related to the topic of how to write a movie title in an essay or article, so we’re detailing those below.

How to write a quote from a movie

So you’ve successfully referenced a movie using the rules outlined above. Now you’d like to quote a line from the movie. Which conventions should you use for this? 

For this, you would use quotation marks. For instance, if you want to quote this famous line from the movie Star Wars , you would write: “May the force be with you.”

Remember that if you’re writing an essay, you might need to also include the reference in your in-text citation. Let us show you a full example of what this would look like:

History was made when General Dodonna said “May the force be with you.” in the iconic movie Star Wars (Lucas, 1977).

How to write the name of an episode of a TV show 

If you wanted to cite a TV series, you would follow the same rules as those for citing a movie - as outlined above. But what if you also wanted to include the name of the episode you’re referring to? 

Similarly to inserting a direct quote from a movie, in this case, we recommend using quotation marks. For example:

Friends , “The One Where Everybody Finds Out.”

If writing an essay, please refer to your academic writing style’s guide to learn about conventions around formatting and using title case.

Where does the word ‘movie’ come from?

Dating back as far as the early 1900s, the word ‘movie’ stems from the term ‘moving picture’.

Before they could be projected onto a screen for wider viewing, the first movies could only be seen by one person at a time, using an Electrotachyscope, Kinetoscope, or Mutoscope.

And there we have it! We hope that this article has helped you better understand the conventions around writing a movie title in your essay or article, so you can feel confident about handing in your essay or turning in your article to your line manager.

To summarize, when you’re writing an article, the rules are pretty much up to you if writing for your own business, or your manager if writing for another company. Check-in with them to find out which conventions are already in place.

If writing an essay, then you should always use the structure set out in the academic writing style’s manual. Find out first of all which style you are expected to use. 

Now that that's done, it's time to get writing! 

Learn More:

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• Writing Tips

Formatting Titles in Essays

2-minute read

• 8th May 2018

Handling your own headings is one thing, but how should you write the titles of other works? You need to mark them out somehow, and you have two standard options: italics or quote marks.

This is especially important in academic writing , as you’ll often have to discuss books and papers written by other people. Here, then, are some guidelines you should follow when formatting titles.

When to Use Italics

You can often spot a title from the capitalisation , but we still format titles to distinguish between different types of source. Titles of longer sources, for example, typically use italics:

Here, Kerrang! is italicised because it is the title of a magazine (i.e. a standalone work that is not one part of a larger whole). Other publications and productions that this applies to include:

• Academic journals
• Newspapers and magazines
• Websites and blogs
• Films and TV shows
• Radio programmes
• Plays and other stage shows
• Book-length poems
• Paintings and other works of art
• Music albums

The key here, then, is that italics are used for longer published works .

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When to Use Quote Marks

We use quote marks for the title of anything that doesn’t fit in the list above. Usually, this will be something that is part of a more substantial publication, such as an article from a magazine:

In this case, we see both the magazine title and an article title. Using italics on the former and quote marks on the latter makes it immediately obvious which is which. Other cases where quote marks are required include:

• Chapters from books
• Academic papers and journal articles
• Articles from newspapers and magazines
• Single pages from a website or posts from a blog
• Individual poems and short stories
• Single episodes of a TV series
• Single poems from a collection
• Songs and other short recordings

In this case, the key is that quote marks are used for shorter works . However, quote marks are also used for unpublished works regardless of length (e.g. a draft manuscript or a PhD dissertation).

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How to Write Movie Titles in Essays?

Table of Contents

Writing a movie title in essay projects may be necessary when handling different academic assignments. Thus, knowing how to write movie captions in the correct format is vital for composing successful papers. While mastering this art is necessary, many students face challenges doing it. 

This subject raises many questions regarding various components. For instance, italicizing, quoting, underlining, and punctuating are some of the challenges some students face. 

Fortunately, relevant guidance exists to address all these challenges and improve your writing skills. This post addresses these difficulties in all the major academic writing styles like APA , Chicago, and MLA. Keep reading to learn more and master this area of academic writing. 

How to Put a Movie Title in an Essay

Writing a movie title in essay has different components that have evolved through the ages. The rise of computer technology has drastically changed how learners handle this subject. It has changed some elements, like underlining movie titles. For instance, before personal computers became common, students used typewriters to write academic papers. This technology required them to underline movie titles. Also, underlining movie headlines was necessary because some scholars hand-wrote their assignments. The reason is that italicizing a title was difficult in a hand-written essay. 

Rules to Follow When Writing a Movie Title in Essay

Here are the main rules to follow to write movie titles correctly in your academic papers. 

Title Sources 

As a rule of thumb, you should list the full title as it appears in the source you are citing. However, few exceptions exist for this rule, particularly when punctuating subtitles and standardizing capitalization. 

• You must capitalize every principal word, like an adjective, noun, and verb. However, don’t capitalize articles, prepositions, or conjunctions in the title’s middle. However, capitalize them if they are long, such as additionally and furthermore, or if they are a title’s first word. 
• Always separate subtitles with colons and spaces.

Italicization 

Italicization is another vital component to pay attention to when including a movie title in essay .

You must italicize titles from self-contained and independent sources. Remember to italicize every book, play, film, periodical, database, and website title.

Quotation Marks 

Put a title in quotation marks if its source is a part of a larger work.

Titles with Other Titles  

Titles containing other titles occur commonly in academic writing. Also, if the title usually appears in double quotation marks, enclose the caption in single quotes. For instance, 

“Madness in David’s ‘Make Common Sense Common Again.'”

Capitalization 

Capitalization is another core component when drafting movie captions in essays. You should apply all the established capitalization rules when writing these titles. These laws require you to do the following: 

• Begin all movie captions start with capital letters. 
• Always capitalize all proper nouns.

However, you must pay special attention to some exceptions when applying these rules to place a movie title . The final rules will depend on the writing style you use. Please note that different academic formats disagree on minor matters that may complicate matters. So, use these rules, knowing they don’t apply universally across various educational writing styles. 

Movie Title in Writing

You will format your essays using APA, MLA, or Chicago styles. While these disagree on different issues, they agree on a few core components. For instance, these styles need you to capitalize all movie titles. They also require you to capitalize adverbs, nouns, verbs, and pronouns. These formatting styles also agree on capitalizing prepositions, articles, and conjunctions only if they are the first word in titles. 

APA requires capitalizing all words with more than three letters. It also capitalizes a caption’s first word and proper nouns. Here is an excellent example: When the bells ring .

When formatting your essay using AP style, place your movie titles in quotes. You still have to abide by all the rules of writing titles within quotes. For example:

• “The Passion of the Christ” shuttered records within its first year of release.
• “We are happy to work on any movie as popular as ‘The Lord of the Ring,'” John exclaimed. 

While you should always italicize all TV shows and movie titles, several exceptions occur; for instance, treat every heading of a specific scene or episode and a short film as a shorter work. Therefore, place such captions in quotations. 

Here are two main questions students ask about placing a movie title in essay s, plus their answers. 

How do you write a movie title in an essay?

Capitalize all the major words in the headline, such as pronouns, verbs, proper nouns, and adverbs. However, don’t capitalize short prepositions articles like a, an , and the . The only exception occurs when these words open movie headlines or are four letters long and more, for instance, beneath or about. However, the three main formatting styles disagree on this last rule. So, consult your essay’s style guide before applying this rule. 

How to draft a movie title in an essay MLA?

The MLA format for writing a movie title requires formatting all headlines uniformly in the entire essay. It has two major principles you must pay attention to.

• Capitalize all the first letters of the main words except minor ones, such as conjunctions, articles, and prepositions. The only exception here applies when they exist at a headline’s beginning.  
• Italicize every title in the essay’s body.

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7 Steps to Write a Movie Title in an Essay

By Film Threat Staff | November 6, 2021

There are indeed many types of essays you have to deal with throughout your studies. And every time you sit to type my essay , you first start looking for sources to use in your paper as examples and references. These sources can range from scholarly articles to movies. So naturally, m any times in your college essays, you’ll be asked to make reference to movies. When you do so, you will be confronted with the question of how to refer to the title of a movie in the text of your paper.

Surely, you can make your life easier and contact experts with a message “I want to pay someone to write my paper cheap ”, so you can continue watching the movies while others do your assignments. While there are some variations in how different writing styles approach movie titles, there is a general way to write the titles of movies that you should follow if you plan to discuss a movie title in your essay. So, what are the steps you need to take to write a movie title in your essay correctly? Here are the seven steps you should follow to make sure you get the title right.

If you are stymied by the right way to write about movies in your paper, you can pay someone to do papers for you. A professional writer can free you from the burden of essay writing by offering help with the correct use of movie titles in your paper and expert discussion of the movies you need to write about for your essay properly formatted in APA or MLA citation style. In order to hire an online writer, all you need to do is to contact a quality academic writing service and say, “I need you to write my essays for me online.” While quality academic writing isn’t always cheap, many services offer great value and affordable assistance to help you achieve your essay goals with some of the best professional writers with exceptional experience and a deep bank of movie knowledge to make every essay excellent. 

Many times in your college essays, you’ll be asked to make reference to movies. When you do so, you will be confronted with the question of how to refer to the title of a movie in the text of your paper. Surely, you can make your life easier and contact experts with a message “I want to pay someone to write my paper cheap ”, so you can continue watching the movies while others do your assignments. While there are some variations in how different writing styles approach movie titles, there is a general way to write the titles of movies that you should follow if you plan to discuss a movie title in your essay. So, what are the steps you need to take to write a movie title in your essay correctly? Here are the seven steps you should follow to make sure you get the title right.

Make sure you have the right movie

Many movies have very similar titles. Some have the exact same title. You don’t want to confuse Broken Arrow , a Jimmy Stewart western, with Broken Arrow , a John Travolta thriller, for example, or The House on Haunted Hill for The Haunting of Hill House . Indeed, many movies called “mockbusters” intentionally use titles to remind you of blockbuster films and you don’t want to confuse them! So, before you use a title in your paper, make sure that you have the right movie in mind.

Check the wording of the title

Many movies are known by multiple titles, often because they have been retitled to appeal to different countries. For example, Mad Max 2 became The Road Warrior in the United States. Others have their titles changed after the fact. Star Wars became Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope , while Raiders of the Lost Ark had Indiana Jones and… appended to it decades later. When you refer to a movie, be sure you know the correct title for the context and how your audience will expect to see you discuss the title.

Watch out for “a” and “the”

Many movie titles either have an article before them that most people don’t say, or don’t have an article when people say one anyway. This can be a little confusing, but you’ll want to check whether the “a” or “the” at the beginning is really part of the title before you write the title so you will know whether to include it in the title.

Capitalize the title of the movie

When you write the title of a movie, you will generally follow the conventions of capitalization for titles. That means that you will capitalize the first word and the last word and all proper nouns and important words in the title. Capitalization can be tricky, however, because many movies use stylized capitalization in their advertisements and title cards. However, in formal academic writing, you will use standard capitalization except in rare circumstances where another scheme is essential for understanding. That means that if a movie uses ALL CAPS, you will not use all-caps unless they are an essential part of the title. Similarly, unusual or non-standard capitalization should be retained when it is essential. For example, the unusual capitalization of the movie eXistenZ is generally retained in writing because it is a made-up word whose spelling is correct within the movie.

Italicize movie titles

Movie titles should be italicized in most major writing styles. This sets the text apart from the rest of the sentence and indicates which words belong to the title and which do not. There are some exceptions to the rule about italicizing movie titles. The titles of short films are not typically italicized but are often placed in quotation marks. This generally applies to short subject films under half an hour in length, as well as to segments within a larger movie. This rule, however, is not hard-and-fast, and you should check the style guide for your chosen writing style to see when different punctuation is used. Another exception is newswriting. If you are writing in Associated Press style, all movie titles appear in quotation marks rather than italics because AP style does not use italicization for anything except in very rare circumstances.

Give the year of release on first reference

More often than not, it is beneficial to follow the title of a movie with the year of its release in parentheses on first reference. This will help the audience to place the movie in its correct position in time, and it will also make it easier to distinguish between films with similar or the same title. While this step is not always necessary, particularly for very famous films, it is generally good practice in academic writing.

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Are Movie Titles Italicized? (APA, AP, MLA, and Chicago)

Many people are unsure of the correct format to follow when it comes to how to quote a movie title in a piece of academic writing. Therefore, this page explains the different ways to correctly cite a movie title in an essay or formal paper and provides examples of citations in context.

Are Movie Titles Italicized?

When including a movie title in an essay or paper that follows APA, MLA, or Chicago, the title should always be in italics because it is a stand-alone piece of work. However, when citing a movie in AP Style, the title should be in quotation marks rather than italics.

When including a movie title as an in-text reference or on the reference list, you should always use italics if you are following APA, MLA, or Chicago styles.

In AP Style, italics are not used for anything; instead, you should place any movie, play, or book titles in quotation marks rather than italics.

Here are some examples of some citations for movies in the four styles:

APA/ Chicago styles

• The movie Fight Club (Fincher, 99) is a critique of the materialistic world in which we currently live.
• The Godfather (Coppola, 74) is the film that put Francis Ford Coppola on the map as a director.
• The closing scenes of the Godfather are praised for the artistic merit of the content. ( Godfather , 2:20:00 – 2:23:45)
• The movie “Fight Club” is regarded as one of Edward Norton`s finest performances.
• Fincher, D, (Director). (1999). Fight Club {Film}, Propaganda Films. “Netflix” App. https://www.netflix.com/mx-en/title/26004747
• Fight Club. Directed by David Fincher, Propaganda Films, 1999. https://www.netflix.com/mx-en/title/26004747
• Fincher, David, Director. 1999. Fight Club . Propaganda Films. 139 minutes. https://www.netflix.com/mx-en/title/26004747

Are Movie Titles Quoted?

In APA, MLA, and Chicago styles, it is not necessary to use quotation marks for movie titles, and they should instead be placed in italics. However, for AP Style, where italics are rare, it is necessary to use quotation marks around the title of the movie.

Are Movie Titles Italicized in APA Style?

When citing a movie or film in APA Style, you should use italics for in-text citations and on the reference list because a movie is a stand-alone work.

Here are some examples of how to include a movie in an APA Style document:

As an in-text citation, you just need to include the director, year, and, if relevant, the part of the movie you are referencing.

For example:

• Forrest Gump highlighted many important events in US history, such as the Vietnam war and the civil rights movement (Zemeckis, 94).

On the reference page, the listing should look like this:

• Zemeckis, R, (Director). (1994). Forrest Gump {Film}. Paramount Pictures.

Also, if you watched the film on a streaming site, you need to add that too:

• Zemeckis, R, (Director). (1994). Forrest Gump {Film}. Paramount Pictures. https://www.netflix.com/mx/title/60000724

Are Movie Titles Italicized in AP Style?

In AP Style, it is not common to use italics for anything, including movie titles. Instead of italics, movie titles should be placed inside quotation marks when citing a movie name in-text. Furthermore, AP Style documents do not usually contain a reference list, so you do not need to list the reference at the end of the paper.

Here are some examples of how a movie title looks in AP Style:

• “Apocolypse Now” is the highest-grossing movie about the Vietnam war.
• Keanu Reeves returns in the 2021 film based on the classic film trilogy “The Matrix.”

Are Movie Titles Italicized in Chicago Style?

When writing an essay in Chicago Style, it is necessary to use italics when quoting films for both in-text citations and on the reference list because films are an example of a stand-alone piece of work, similar to a book, play, or song.

Here are some examples of how to include a movie in Chicago Style formatting:

• The movie Parasite was the first film for which a foreigner won the Oscar for best director (Bong, 19).
• Bong, Joon-ho, director. Parasite . 2019, Curzon Artificial Eye. 2 hrs, 11 mins. Blu-ray Disc, 1080p HD.

(If you watched the film on a streaming site, then you should list that instead of the DVD information).

Are Movie Titles Italicized in MLA Style?

When citing a movie in an MLA piece of writing, you should always use italics for the movie title for both in-text citations and on the reference list.

For an in-text citation, it is common to just use the name of the movie with the time frame of the point you are referring to, if applicable ; if not, you can simply use the movie title with no time reference.

Here are some examples of how movie references in MLA Style would look:

• The movie Parasite is Joon-ho Bong`s most successful film to date (Parasite )
• The closing scenes of Parasite left viewers in shock at the brutality portrayed by the characters ( Parasite, 2:00:00 – 2:10:00).

This is how the listing should appear on the reference list:

• Parasite . Directed by Joon-ho Bong, CJ Entertainment, 2019. https://www.netflix.com/mx-en/title/81221938

Final Thoughts

When citing a movie in an essay or piece of formal writing that follows APA, MLA, or Chicago styles, you should always use italics for the title. However, for AP Style, you should use quotation marks rather than italics for the titles of movies.

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

• Are Video Game Titles Italicized? (APA, AP, and Chicago)
• Are Magazine Titles Italicized? (APA, AP, and Chicago)
• Are Podcast Titles Italicized? (APA, AP, MLA, and Chicago)
• Are TV Shows Italicized? (APA, AP, MLA, and Chicago)

Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

Do You Italicize Movie Titles? Become An Essay Pro

Updated: January 4, 2024

Published: May 16, 2021

Do you italicize movie titles? How many times have you been writing an essay, and suddenly you can’t remember whether to use italics, quotation marks, or other formats?

The short answer is that movie titles are always italicized. Read on to find out more about italics, and other important formatting tools in order to become an essay pro.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly when to use italics and quotations whenever you’re writing about movies and TV shows.

What Is Considered A Movie?

First, let’s get our definitions straightened up. What’s the difference between a movie, and let’s say, a clip on YouTube or a short film?

In general, most of us know what a movie is when we see it, but for the sake of clarification, movies do not include YouTube clips, short movies (such as Pixar’s shorts), or TV show episodes.

Movie Titles: Formatting In The Past

Before computers became commonplace, italicizing, underlining, and putting titles in “quotations” were considered to be equal and interchangeable, as long as you were consistent throughout your paper. This is because these tools were used for emphasis, as opposed to specific grammar rules. Typewriters, for example, did not have the ability to italicize or underline, and so there weren’t any strict rules.

Movie Titles Now

With the invention and increased use of computers, you’ll find that the rules concerning emphasis are much stricter, and it will be very important to know the difference if you’re writing a paper in college.

Now with the computer’s ability to format with the click of a button, movie titles are always italicized.

The only exception is when you are writing by hand, in which case the movie title would be underlined.

Below are some example sentences to demonstrate the different emphasis put on movie and TV show titles.

• Matilda was an all-time favorite movie in my home.
• Disney’s Alice in Wonderland is based on the books, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass, by Lewis Carroll.
• The Netflix series, Workin’ Moms, is based on Catherine Reitman’s experiences as a working mother of two children.
• The TV show, Young Sheldon, centers around the early life of Sheldon Cooper, an eccentric character in The Big Bang Theory.
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published in June of 1997.

Some More Rules You May Want To Know

Although the titles of movies and TV shows are always italicized, it’s important to note that the titles of specific scenes or episodes, as well as short films, are treated as shorter works, and are therefore put in “quotations.”

Though movie scenes rarely have titles, this rule is more relevant to TV show episodes and scenes from plays.

Below are some example sentences to demonstrate the different emphasis put on movie and TV show titles in comparison with specific scenes or episodes.

• My favorite Friends episode is “The One With the Holiday Armadillo.”
• The first episode of The Big Bang Theory, entitled “Pilot,” aired on September 24, 2007.
• The Pixar short, “Bao,” which appeared in the initial release in Incredibles 2, won an Oscar Award for Best Animated Short Film.
• The jumping desk lamp that became Pixar’s famous icon was originally introduced in a Pixar short called “Luxo Jr.”
• In the episode, “The Pitch,” Seinfeld and George propose a TV show about nothing, which was the show’s way of poking fun at Seinfeld’s original premise.

Why Is Proper Formatting Important?

College essays.

No matter what you study in college, most students write a lot of essays during their school years. While some degrees may put more of an emphasis on writing proper essays , most teachers and professors will expect a certain level of basic grammar and formatting knowledge.

Before you even step foot into college, you’ll most likely be expected to write an application essay . It’s important to put your best foot forward, and small formatting rules can go a long way in making a good first impression.

Landing Your Dream Job

In addition to college essays, prospective employers and job positions will require and look for basic (or advanced, depending on the position) writing skills. Whether you think your dream job requires writing skills or not, writing is a part of everyday life and work, from emails and text messages, to presentations and reports. Having good writing skills will help you make a good first impression, land your dream job, and do your best work.

Having A Successful Career

Though different students earn a degree for different reasons, many are hoping to work toward a successful career. In order to do this, the right preparation is key. Preparation may be earning a degree, gaining specific skills, or having the right guidance along the way.

University of the People prepares our students for successful careers by providing program advising , mentorship , and an emphasis on career development . We know that these extra details, much like formatting in an essay, make a big difference for the future success of our students. University of the People is a tuition-free online university that offers degree programs in business administration, computer science, health science, and education.

Cheat Sheet

Titles in italics.

• Title of a movie or play
• Titles of a TV or radio series
• Title of a book
• Titles of magazines, journals, or newspapers
• Title of music album
• Title of a long poem
• Title of an opera
• Titles of paintings or sculptures

Titles In “Quotations”

• Title of a chapter in a book
• Title of an TV or radio series episode
• Name of an act or scene in a movie/play
• Title of a song
• Title of a short poem
• Title of an article or paper

The Bottom Line

So, do you italicize movie titles? In short, yes. Movie titles, as well as TV show titles, are italicized. We hope you learned a little bit about the history of italics, when to use italics and quotations, and the reasons why proper formatting is important for your education and career.

Related Articles

8 Of The Worst 'Saying The Movie Title In The Movie' Moments, And 8 That Give Me Chills

No, just me maybe some examples would help. here are eight "saying the movie title" moments that get me hyped, and eight that i think are duds:.

Will Smith (Deadshot) delivered one of the most on-the-nose "saying the title of the movie in the movie" moments ever in Suicide Squad .

Like many entries on this list, it's only a "dud" moment if you take it out of context. Still, the movie itself is very goofy and ridiculous, so it's a hilarious way to incorporate the title into the dialogue.

Jack and Ennis arguing on a mountainside about what "could have been" between them might be the most compelling scene in the film. Jake Gyllenhaal (Jack) delivers the movie title line with all the emotions, and it makes for a memorable quote that is overshadowed by the more famous "I wish I knew how to quit you" moment.

As a Massachusetts lad myself, maybe I am a little biased about the ridiculousness of this "saying the title" moment.

Where do I begin? The shot zooms in on Matt Damon's face for him to deliver the title of the movie in a Boston accent. It's so silly, while also very much Martin Scorsese's style. Something about it just doesn't work for me, and almost feels forced.

A sentimental favorite for me. The way they simply include the title by having the grandpa reading the book makes this the most heartwarming entry...especially once you fall in love with this film and watch it again.

Maybe the most controversial entry on the list. Out of context, this is one of the goofier entries. In context, it perfectly fits the character and makes sense once you watch the movie.

I blame the terrifying realism of the plane crash scene for this being placed in the "dud" section.

This entry is the perfect amount of campiness and hype.

The way the scene builds, and both characters realize they have a shot to pull off an impossible mission, makes this line drop flawlessly executed. They say the movie title in other moments throughout this series, but none comes close to this impeccably scripted moment.

It works, but it doesn't stick with me like the others, since this is Vol. II .

I'd make this one my top pick if the Bride had looked into the camera and said, "I'm going to kill Bill...Volume 2." (lol)

While the scene is well acted and intense, the line is pretty silly. I'd argue that I dislike the book version even more, but sticking to the film, it just feels a little too on the nose for a moment that is supposed to be intense.

Closing your movie with the title of the movie. *Chef's kiss*

The entire essay works so wonderfully that there was no better way to end this film than with those final words.

I like Gladiator , and this scene has great moments, but the quote itself is a little bit of a dud to me. It's supposed to be a defiant line destroyed 20 seconds later when Maximus reveals his identity. Again, the speech is some classic revenge-movie stuff, but this quote gets lost in the shuffle.

This usage of the movie title is another great launching point for audiences. We're introduced to all these characters and see them unite for a quest. It doesn't get much more high fantasy than this scene.

Also, Hugo Weaving's delivery for every line is tremendous (not just in this movie specifically, but during his acting career in general).

I could make a list titled, 101 Things Wrong With Face/Off That Make Things So Right . It's one of the top bad movies out there, and film experts should analyze it forever.

This might be the most intense movie-name drop on this list.

From start to finish, this scene is uncomfortable to watch, and the use of the movie title is superb. Not for the faint of heart, but a memorable use of saying the movie within the movie.

The movie managed to say the title while including the sequel number. What more do I need to say?

A dud on this list, but A-tier in my heart.

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The 10 Most Underrated Quotes from the Avengers Movies, Ranked

Might as well call him Tony Snark.

Though the series is an action-packed one, there’s an argument to be made that what makes The Avengers movies work as well as they do is the writing, particularly the banter-filled character interactions. These movies aren’t comedies, necessarily, but they can be very funny, having self-awareness about how extravagant they can get, how extreme certain characters are, and how high-stakes things typically are within such entries in the MCU.

Beyond the humor, though, there’s also a good deal of pathos to be found, with many of the most intense and emotional moments in the MCU saved for these big crossover/event movies. On the topic of Avengers films, there have been four so far, and all are filled to the brim with memorable dialogue . The following quotes might not always be the most famous, but they’re worthy of attention and worth remembering. It should be clarified that calling any quote from a series as big and popular as this “underrated” might seem like a stretch, but nevertheless, these instances of dialogue tend to be even more quotable than most give them credit for.

10 “This is beyond you, metal man. Loki will face Asgardian justice.”

‘the avengers’ (2012).

Thor , as a movie and a character, more or less launched Chris Hemsworth’s career , though it took a little while for everyone to warm up to him, given the hammy seriousness of the character’s MCU debut wasn’t for everyone. Still, it was an important movie in the lead-up to The Avengers , introducing not just a core member of said team, but also the main villain of the first Avengers movie: Loki, Thor’s brother.

2012’s The Avengers built their dynamic well, and also did a little of the groundwork needed to humanize Thor as a character, what with him being a literal god and all. Humor was a good way to achieve this, and Thor calling Iron Man “metal man” is an underrated and amusing line, kind of getting lost within an eventful and exciting action sequence, as well as overshadowed by Tony Stark’s more memorable quip regarding “Shakespeare in the park.”

The Avengers

Watch on Disney+ ​​​​

9 “It's like a pirate had a baby with an angel.”

‘avengers: infinity war’ (2018).

Avengers: Infinity War was great for many reasons, with one of them being the fact that it brought the Guardians of the Galaxy into a crossover movie for the first proper time, following their more isolated adventures in the excellent Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and the solid follow-up that was Vol. 2 (2017). Sure, that first movie in 2014 did help build Thanos – Infinity War’s villain – as a threat, but it wasn’t until 2018 that the Guardians themselves got to interact with the members of the Avengers.

The film made a wise decision to pair Thor up with the Guardians, with the squad rescuing him from space, allowing for plenty of humor and emotion (given the members of the Guardians of the Galaxy and Thor are all dealing with loss and/or heartbreak). But to focus on the comedy, Drax of course gets some of the best moments, rather accurately describing Thor, upon seeing him, as a combination of an angel and a pirate.

Avengers: Infinity War

Watch on Disney+

8 Doctor Strange: “Is that everyone?” Wong: “What, you wanted more?”

‘avengers: endgame’ (2019).

For as monumental as Infinity War was, its follow-up, Avengers: Endgame , arguably went even bigger, having a runtime that was half an hour longer and an even more monumental box office gross (the highest of its decade) . And no scene in Endgame quite demonstrated the film’s commitment to scale like the climactic battle, which brought an unprecedented number of superheroes into one huge sequence, battling against Thanos and his forces.

It's just non-stop as a scene, being perhaps the biggest (and possibly best) final act of the 2010s, at least as far as blockbusters go. There’s so much to take in visually, and so many one-liners fired out in all directions by various characters. The exchange between Doctor Strange and Wong works at emphasizing the size of the scene and stands as particularly funny… though if a future Avengers movie can top Endgame in character count and/or battle size, then perhaps Dr. Strange “wanting more” won’t seem so outrageous in hindsight .

Avengers: Endgame

Watch on Disney+ ​​​​​

7 “They're gods, and they need someone to keep them down to Earth.”

‘avengers: age of ultron’ (2015).

Few people would call Age of Ultron their favorite Avengers movie, and indeed, it is the lowest-ranked overall from a critical perspective . Yet despite its less-than-great reputation, it’s really not a terrible superhero movie; more just an inconsistent one. It doesn’t quite have the scope of Infinity War or Endgame , nor the simplicity and charm of 2012’s The Avengers, but it has its moments and does serve certain characters well .

Case in point, it was a movie where Hawkeye really started to come into his own as a character, and overall helped establish him as a bit less of a pop-culture punching bag. He has a lot more screen time here, compared to The Avengers , and viewers even get a look at his family life. His wife, Laura Barton, also neatly summarizes his purpose within the Avengers team, emphasizing how he can help keep them – and their egos – grounded, what with the capacity for their godlike/fantastical/complex powers to lead to dysfunction and fierce rivalries.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

6 “he's never fought me twice.”.

Across Infinity War and Endgame , Thanos antagonizes and crushes the spirits of too many characters to count, with his actions in Infinity War’s opening scene proving particularly shattering to Thor. The hopeful ending of 2017’s Thor: Ragnarök is somewhat undone by that film’s foreboding mid-credits scene, decimated off-screen right before Infinity War starts, and then further crushed in the first 10 minutes of that movie, especially owing to the fact that Thanos kills Heimdall, a close ally of Thor’s, and Loki, his brother.

Thor discusses his quest for vengeance with Rocket Raccoon, the latter correcting him when Thor claims Thanos has never fought him before. Thor then awkwardly says, “He's never fought me twice” – a line that’s funny in the moment, but becomes heavy later in the film, when Thor does indeed clash with Thanos once again… and Thor makes a fatal mistake, neither using his head nor going for Thanos’ .

5 “Apparently I'm volatile, self-obsessed, and don't play well with others.”

Iron Man (2008) kick-started the MCU with style , introducing Tony Stark/Iron Man to a bigger audience than he’d ever had before as a comic book character. It was a movie that helped usher in the superhero genre’s dominance at the box office and within pop culture, and the titular character was instantly popular, continuing to be one of the most sharp-witted and sarcastic characters in the MCU for over a decade’s worth of movies.

Tony Stark has his moments of genuine kindness, more so as the series goes along, but The Avengers allows him to be in tip-top shape sarcasm-wise for the majority of its runtime. Addressing how he apparently didn’t qualify for the Avengers initiative at first , Stark admits he’s “volatile, self-obsessed, and (doesn’t) play well with others,” which is right on the money, even if he does eventually become an essential team-player in his own way later in the film.

4 “You have my respect, Stark. When I'm done, half of humanity will still be alive. I hope they remember you.”

Thanos made some brief appearances throughout a handful of earlier MCU movies, but it wasn’t until Avengers: Infinity War that he emerged as arguably one of the best villains in recent movie history . He poses a genuine threat to the entire universe, given the movie sees him determined to obtain all the Infinity Stones, and use them in combination to wipe out half of all life in the universe to reduce over-population on a massive scale.

He has clear goals, is ruthlessly efficient, and has a strong moral code and even respect for those superheroes who try – in vain – to stop his plan. He makes this apparent after besting Iron Man in combat, reiterating his desire to decimate half of humanity while telling Tony Stark – who seems to be on the verge of dying himself – that he’ll hopefully be remembered by those left behind .

3 “Actually he's the boss. I just pay for everything and design everything, make everyone look cooler.”

The ambitious Avengers: Age of Ultron continued to showcase Tony Stark at his snarkiest, and also built off the first Avengers movies by continuing to show some unease between him and Steve Rogers/Captain America. Their disagreements would boil over and become something more substantial in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War , but their alliance – while shaky – still holds throughout Age of Ultron .

Nevertheless, Tony Stark doesn’t want to give Captain America any wins too easily, surprisingly conceding that Captain America’s the leader of the Avengers, but that it’s actually himself who does most of the “cool” stuff. It’s one example of banter in a film that some would feel has too much of it , but as always, Robert Downey Jr.’s line delivery is on point, further showcasing how Tony Stark was a character he more or less seemed born to play.

2 “He's pissed. He thinks he failed. Which, of course he did, but you know, there's a lot of that going around, ain't there?”

Sure, Avengers: Endgame sees the MCU at its biggest and most epic , but the first half of the movie is surprisingly dominated by a focus on characters and some more intimate, downbeat scenes. After all, before the exciting climax that inevitably resurrects many of those lost during Infinity War , the characters all have to process their intense emotions and the fact that they comprised the losing side in the most important battle they ever fought.

Rocket Raccoon and Thor had a great dynamic when they were paired up together for much of Infinity War , both being able to discuss with each other the sorts of losses they’d faced and the grief they felt. Of course, they’re pushed even further into despair following Infinity War , with Thor failing to land a killing blow on Thanos and Rocket dealing with everyone else in his squad being killed by Thanos. Rocket highlights this general sense of failure with brutal honesty, and pins down why Thor is feeling extra rotten about it all.

1 "I got low. I didn't see an end, so I put a bullet in my mouth and the other guy spit it out."

Sometimes, recasting a significant role works , as is demonstrated by Mark Ruffalo stepping in as the Hulk after Edward Norton played him in what was (sort of) an earlier MCU movie: 2008’s The Incredible Hulk . Norton’s a great actor in the right role, but either didn’t fit the character of Bruce Banner/The Hulk ideally, or simply didn’t have as good material to work with as Ruffalo did.

Whatever the case, Mark Ruffalo slipped into the role with ease, and made a great impression in The Avengers . The film overall did the character of Bruce Banner justice in a way that 2003’s Hulk and the aforementioned The Incredible Hulk didn’t quite manage to do. The best instance of this is the surprisingly intense line Banner has about the anguish he feels, with the condition he has, and admitting he tried to take his own life is pretty grim by the MCU’s standards . Still, it’s a powerful moment, and a strong reminder of how difficult Banner’s life is, given he's torn between two very different personas/beings.

NEXT: The Best Quote From Each Spider-Man Movie