The American Psychological Association (APA) style is a widely used citation format in academic and professional writing. When citing a movie in APA style, the format varies depending on the type of citation (in-text or reference list) and the information available about the movie (such as the director, release year, and production company). Here are the guidelines for citing a movie in APA style:
In-Text Citation
For in-text citations, APA style recommends including the director’s last name and the year of release. If you’re quoting or paraphrasing a specific part of the movie, you can also include a timestamp.
Basic In-Text Citation: (Director’s Last Name, Release Year) Example: (Spielberg, 1993)
In-Text Citation with Timestamp: (Director’s Last Name, Release Year, Timestamp) Example: (Spielberg, 1993, 01:23:45)
Reference List Entry
The reference list entry for a movie in APA style includes more detailed information.
Basic Reference Entry for a Movie: Director’s Last Name, First Initial (Director). (Release Year). Title of the movie [Film]. Production Company. Example: Spielberg, S. (Director). (1993). Jurassic Park [Film]. Universal Pictures.
Reference Entry for a Movie with Multiple Directors: List all directors separated by commas, using “and” before the last director’s name. Example: Director1, D. D., Director2, D. D., & Director3, D. D. (Directors). (Release Year). Title of the movie [Film]. Production Company.
Additional Considerations
DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, or Streaming Services: When citing a movie from a DVD, Blu-ray disc, or a streaming service, you might need to include additional information such as the format (e.g., [DVD]) or the streaming service (though APA style does not currently specify including the streaming service in the reference). Example for a DVD: Spielberg, S. (Director). (1993). Jurassic Park [DVD]. Universal Pictures.
Older Films or Films Without a Director: For older films or films where the director is not known, you might only include the title and the release year in the in-text citation and the reference list entry. Example: (Casablanca, 1942)
Remember, APA style guidelines are updated periodically, so it’s a good idea to consult the latest edition of the APA Publication Manual or the APA Style website for the most current advice on citing sources, including movies.