How do I cite a movie or film in APA?

To cite a movie or film in APA (7th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What is the APA format for a movie or film citation?

The APA format for a movie or film is: Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of film [Film]. Production Company.

What does the in-text citation look like for a movie or film in APA?

In APA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Director, Year)

How to Cite a Movie or Film in APA (7th edition)

Learn how to cite a movie or film in APA format (7th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

APA Reference List Format

Here is the standard APA format for citing a movie or film in your reference list:

Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of film [Film]. Production Company.

APA Example for a Movie or Film

A complete APA reference for a movie or film, formatted by the official APA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

Sorrentino, A. (Director). (2018). The long corridor. Meridian Pictures.

Matching in-text citation: (Sorrentino, 2018)

APA In-Text Citation

Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:

Parenthetical

(Director, Year)

Narrative

Director (Year) portrays...

Key APA Formatting Rules

Italicize the film title.
List the director using the Director role in parentheses.
Include the production company as the publisher.
Use [Film] as the description bracket.
Include year of release in parentheses after author.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your movie or film.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the APA (7th edition) template shown above.
Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match APA requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.

CSL style record: apa.csl

Editorial sources

APA Style — references →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a movie or film in APA?: To cite a movie or film in APA (7th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the APA format for a movie or film citation?: The APA format for a movie or film is: Director, A. A. (Director). (Year). Title of film [Film]. Production Company.
What does the in-text citation look like for a movie or film in APA?: In APA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Director, Year)