How to cite a movie Chicago style is a common question for students, researchers, and anyone preparing academic work that references films. The Chicago Manual of Style offers two primary systems—Notes‑Bibliography (often used in the humanities) and Author‑Date (favored in the sciences)—and each has its own format for film citations. Understanding the nuances of both systems helps you create accurate, consistent references that meet scholarly standards and avoid plagiarism. Below is a step‑by‑step guide that walks you through the essential elements, provides clear examples, and highlights frequent pitfalls to watch for when citing a movie in Chicago style Most people skip this — try not to..
Understanding the Two Chicago Systems
Before diving into the mechanics, it’s useful to know which system your discipline or instructor prefers.
- Notes‑Bibliography (NB): Uses footnotes or endnotes for in‑text citations and a bibliography at the end of the document. This system is common in history, literature, and the arts.
- Author‑Date: Places brief parenthetical citations in the text and a corresponding reference list at the end. This approach mirrors APA and is typical in the sciences and social sciences.
Both systems require the same core information about a film, but they arrange it differently. The essential elements are:
- Title of the film (italicized)
- Director’s name
- Production company
- Year of release
- Medium (e.g., film, DVD, streaming)
- Optional details such as performers, version, or timestamp for specific scenes
Citing a Movie in Notes‑Bibliography Style
Full Note Format
If you're first mention a film in a footnote or endnote, use the following pattern:
- Film Title, directed by Director’s First Name Last Name (Production Company, Year), medium.
If you accessed the film via a streaming service or a specific format (DVD, Blu‑ray), add that information after the year:
- Film Title, directed by Director’s First Name Last Name (Production Company, Year), streaming on Platform Name.
Subsequent Notes
For subsequent citations of the same film, you can shorten the note:
- Film Title, directed by Director’s Last Name.
If you need to refer to a specific scene, include a timestamp:
- Worth adding: Film Title, directed by Director’s Last Name, timestamp (e. Also, g. , 00:45:12‑00:46:03).
Bibliography Entry
The bibliography entry mirrors the full note but removes the numbering and uses periods instead of commas in certain places:
Film Title. But directed by Director’s First Name Last Name. Day to day, production Company, Year. Medium.
Example (Notes‑Bibliography):
- Still, Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho (Neon, 2019), film. On top of that, Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-ho. >
Bibliography:
Parasite. That's why directed by Bong Joon-ho. Plus, > 2. Still, neon, 2019. Film.
Citing a Movie in Author‑Date Style
In‑Text Citation
In the Author‑Date system, place a parenthetical citation after the sentence that references the film:
(Director’s Last Name Year)
If you need to point to a specific scene, add a timestamp:
(Director’s Last Name Year, timestamp)
Reference List Entry
The reference list entry follows this structure:
Director’s First Name Last Name. Consider this: year. That's why Film Title. Worth adding: production Company. Medium Worth keeping that in mind. Still holds up..
Example (Author‑Date):
In the climactic scene, the family’s tension reaches a breaking point (Bong 2019, 01:22:05).
Parasite. On top of that, >
Reference List:
Bong, Joon-ho. Neon. Here's the thing — 2019. Film.
Handling Different Formats and Access Points
Movies are often viewed in multiple formats—theatrical release, DVD, Blu‑ray, or streaming platforms. Chicago style allows you to note the format you actually consulted Simple as that..
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DVD/Blu‑ray: Include the format after the year Most people skip this — try not to..
Film Title, directed by Director’s First Name Last Name (Production Company, Year), DVD.
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Streaming Service: Specify the platform and, if relevant, the date you accessed it (though Chicago does not require an access date for stable URLs, some instructors ask for it) Simple, but easy to overlook..
Film Title, directed by Director’s First Name Last Name (Production Company, Year), streaming on Netflix.
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Television Broadcast: If you watched a film on TV, note the network and broadcast date It's one of those things that adds up..
Film Title, directed by Director’s First Name Last Name (Production Company, Year), broadcast on NBC, January 15, 2022.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced writers slip up when formatting film citations. Keep an eye out for these frequent errors:
- Missing Italics: Film titles must be italicized; quotation marks are reserved for shorter works like episodes or short films.
- Incorrect Order: In NB, the director’s name follows the title; in Author‑Date, the director leads the entry.
- Omitting Medium: Always indicate whether you viewed the film as a film, DVD, Blu‑ray, or stream.
- Inconsistent Punctuation: Notes use commas between elements; the bibliography uses periods. Mixing them up creates confusion.
- Over‑Citing: If you cite the same film multiple times in a row, use shortened notes or “ibid.” (if your style guide permits) rather than repeating the full citation each time.
- Ignoring Timestamps: When referencing a specific scene or quote, a timestamp is essential for readers to locate the exact moment.
Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
| Element | Notes‑Bibliography (Full Note) | Author‑Date (Reference List) |
|---|---|---|
| Film Title | Italicized | Italicized |
| Director | directed by First Last | First Last. Because of that, |
| Year | (Year) | Year. |
| Production Company | Production Company, | Production Company. |
| Medium | medium. | Medium. |
| Streaming/Format | streaming on Platform Name, | (optional) streaming on Platform Name. |
Example (NB full note):
- Inception, directed by Christopher Nolan (Warner Bros., 2010), film.
Example (Author‑Date):
Nolan, Christopher. 2010. Inception. Warner Bros. Film.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I cite a film with multiple directors?
A: For films with multiple directors, list all directors’ names in the order they appear in the credits, separated by commas Not complicated — just consistent..
Example (NB): The Grand Budapest Hotel, directed by Wes Anderson and Owen Gleiberman (Fox Searchlight Pictures, 2014), Blu-ray Simple, but easy to overlook..
Q: What if the film has no credited director?
A: If no director is listed, omit the director’s name and proceed with the title, production company, and year.
Example (Author-Date): The Wizard of Oz. 1939. MGM. Film.
Q: How should I cite a documentary?
A: Documentaries follow the same format as other films, but include the director and distributor. If the subject is the primary “author,” list them as the director Practical, not theoretical..
Example (NB): Blackfish, directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite (Television Documentary, 2013), streaming on Hulu.
Q: How do I handle foreign films or translations?
A: Include the original title in italics, followed by the English translation in brackets. Cite the original release year and distributor Worth knowing..
Example (Author-Date): Parasite (Gisaengchung), directed by Bong Joon-ho (CJ Entertainment, 2019). Film.
Q: What about short films or TV episodes?
A: Short films and episodes use quotation marks for titles and omit the production company if it’s unclear Took long enough..
Example (NB): “The Red Badge of Courage,” directed by John Huston (short film, 1953), DVD.
Q: Should I include the production company if it’s not listed?
A: If the production company is unavailable, use the distributor or omit it entirely The details matter here..
Example (Author-Date): Mad Max: Fury Road. 2015. Warner Bros. Film.
Q: How do I cite a film accessed through a library database?
A: Include the database name if required by your instructor, but Chicago typically prioritizes the medium (e.g., streaming, DVD).
Example (NB): Arrival, directed by Denis Villeneuve (essential Pictures, 2016), streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
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