Are Movie Titles Italicized?
In MLA style, movie titles are italicized because films are treated as independent works. Quotation marks are generally reserved for shorter works contained within a larger work, so a movie title itself is not normally placed in quotation marks under this convention.
Yes—under MLA style, italicize a movie title. Do not put the movie title itself in quotation marks when applying that convention.
Key details
Important caveats
Quotation Boundary
Quotation marks are used for certain contained or shorter works, not the movie title itself under this convention.
Style Boundary
If another required style guide differs, follow that guide consistently.
Further guidance
Movie Title
Italicize the title of a movie when following MLA style.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- How do I style the title of a work published online? (opens in a new tab)Modern Language Association · Style guidance distinguishing italicized titles of independent works such as movies and television series from quoted episode titles