How do I cite a tv show or movie in the MLA format?

Answer

TV Shows:

When citing an episode of a television show that you watched through a streaming service (like Netflix), use the following format:

"Title of Episode." Title of Television Series, season, episode number, Network, date of publication. Streaming Service, website of streaming service.

If you are emphasizing the contribution of the director, a performer (actor), or writer, you can include that information in your citation after the name of the television show. If you have the original air date of the episode, include that as the date. If not, you can use the release year.

Examples:

"I, Borg." Star Trek: The Next Generation, season 5, episode 23, Paramount Pictures, 1992. Netflix, www.netflix.com.

"New Normal." Homeland, directed by Dan Attias, season 5, episode 10, Showtime, 6 Dec. 2015. Amazon Prime Video, www.amazon.com/Amazon-Video.

"The One Where Chandler Can't Cry." Friends, written by Andrew Reich and Ted Cohen, directed by Kevin Bright, season 6, episode 14, Warner Brothers, 2004. Max, www.max.com.

Films/Movies:

To cite a film/movie, use the following format:

Title of Movie. Directed by Names of Directors, Performances by Names of Actors, Studio(s), year. Streaming Service.

For example:

The Avengers. Directed by Joss Whedon, performances by Robert Downing Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, and Chris Hemsworth, Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures, 2012. Disney Plus, www.disneyplus.com.

In-text citations for television/film should include the episode title or film title (can be shortened) and the timestamp (instead of a page number).

Examples:

(The Avengers 00:15:00-00:17:22)

("The One" 00:21:32-00:27:23)

("I, Borg" 01:20:23-01:25:45)

More Resources:

MLA Style Blog

OWL at Purdue-MLA Style