How to Cite a Film in Harvard

• Written by Jennifer Sutcliffe

• Published on 03/12/2026

All citations of films typically have some common features, and may include the following elements:

• Title: The title of the film in italics.
• Format: The medium or platform (e.g. film, DVD, Blu-ray, streaming service).
• Year of Release: The year the film was first released or distributed.
• Director: The individual primarily responsible for the film’s creation.
• Production Details: The country of release and the production or distribution company. Multiple production companies can be separated with a semicolon.
• Online Access Information: For online or streamed films, include “Available at:” plus the URL (hyperlinked) and an access date.

Citing a Film Released in the Cinema

Citing a Film on DVD or Blu-ray

Citing a Film on a Streaming Service

Citing a Film on YouTube or Other Online Platforms

In-Text Citations: General Guidelines

For in-text citations, use the title of the film in italics and the year of release.

Narrative: “As shown in Shaun of the Dead (2004)…”

Parenthetical: “… includes references to classic zombie films (Shaun of the Dead, 2004).”

When citing a particular scene from a digital or streaming copy, include the time marker in this format: (Shaun of the Dead, 2004, 00:48:12).

Use persistent links that provide authorized access from the streaming service or database when citing an online film. Many unofficial copies of films violate copyright and may be removed. When citing a remastered or re-released version of a film, give the date of that version when listing in the bibliography and in any in-text citation. You should cite the exact version of the film viewed (i.e., director’s cut, remastered edition, theatrical scene). Different versions of films can have different production and/or runtime, and some versions contain more footage than others. If you are referring to a sequel in a film series, use the title of the sequel and the copyright year e.g., John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019). The name of the franchise alone is not sufficient for citation of your work.