Seems like a simple question, right? Are Movie Titles Italicized?
But the more you look, the more confusing it gets. Some websites say yes, others say only sometimes. Then you notice news articles, social media posts, and academic papers all formatting movie titles differently. Suddenly, something that felt basic becomes a formatting minefield. Are we talking AP Style? MLA? Academic writing? Journalism? Social media? Are we italicizing the entire title or just part of it? What about punctuation? Streaming platforms? Foreign films? Is it different in captions? In handwriting? On YouTube? On a PowerPoint slide?
This guide isn’t here to give you a quick answer. It’s here to give you every answer.
Because if you’re a writer, student, journalist, marketer, screenwriter, blogger, editor, creator, or just someone who wants to do things right — clarity on this matters. And let’s face it: the internet doesn’t need more shallow SEO blogs. It needs a complete, professional, engaging, and useful deep dive that actually helps.
Why Formatting Movie Titles Actually Matters
You’re not just referencing a film — you’re invoking an entire cultural experience. How you present that title carries meaning.
Imagine quoting The Godfather in a research paper but throwing it in plain text. Or publishing a blog that switches between quotes and italics randomly. The inconsistency isn’t just confusing — it tells your reader that you’re either unaware of the rules or careless about detail. And in writing, details equal credibility.
Formatting signals your level of mastery. Just like grammar and punctuation, proper title styling shapes how people read your words — and whether they trust them.
That’s why this question — “Are movie titles italicized?” — leads to so many debates online. The answer changes with the context, and getting it wrong creates silent friction with readers, teachers, editors, and even search engines.
Are movie titles italicized?
Yes, the movie titles are italicized in most formal writing styles like MLA, APA, and Chicago. However, AP style uses quotation marks instead. When italics aren’t possible (such as in plain text or handwriting), use quotation marks or underline the title. Context determines correctness.
Academic & Professional Writing: Italics Are Non-Negotiable
In nearly every formal, scholarly, or professional context, movie titles are italicized. This applies whether you’re writing essays, journal articles, academic blog posts, or even formal business reports that reference films.
Across the three most commonly used style guides — MLA, APA, and Chicago — the expectation is crystal clear: italicize movie titles.
- MLA (used in humanities): Italicizes all major works, including films. Titles use title case (capitalize major words).
- APA (used in psychology, education, sciences): Also italicizes movie titles but prefers sentence case (only the first word and proper nouns capitalized).
- Chicago Manual of Style (used in publishing, history, arts): Italicizes full-length works using title case.
No quotation marks. No ambiguity. Just clean, professional italics.
Examples:
- Inception explores the architecture of dreams and the fragility of memory.
- According to APA format: The film inside out (Docter, 2015) illustrates emotional intelligence in children.
If you’re in school or writing professionally? Italics are your safest bet.
AP Style & Journalism: The One Major Exception
News organizations, magazines, and media platforms that follow AP (Associated Press) style do not italicize movie titles. Instead, they use quotation marks.
Why the difference?
Historically, AP Style was developed for typesetting systems that didn’t support italics. Even though technology has advanced, the format remains for consistency across publications. This rule is still enforced by editorial standards in major outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Reuters.
So, when writing for a newspaper, magazine, or blog using journalistic style:
- Use quotation marks for movie titles
- Don’t italicize at all
Example:
- “Everything Everywhere All at Once” won big at the Oscars.
- WRONG: Everything Everywhere All at Once (in AP style)
If you’re submitting a guest post or article for publication, double-check which style the outlet follows — it can drastically affect your formatting choices.
Handwriting, Plain Text, and Platforms Without Italics
Not every environment supports italics. You might be writing in a messaging app, composing a plain-text email, or filling out a form where formatting is stripped out. Or you’re handwriting an essay in class.
Here’s what to do instead:
- In handwriting: Underline the movie title. This is the traditional alternative to italics. Example: I analyzed Citizen Kane for my essay.
- In plain text or digital platforms that don’t support italics (like some CMS editors or social media): Use quotation marks. “I finally saw ‘No Country for Old Men.’ Absolutely brutal.”
- All-caps is occasionally acceptable for titles in advertising or social media for emphasis — but don’t rely on it in professional or academic contexts. “Just watched GLADIATOR again. Still a masterpiece.”
The rule of thumb: format with clarity in mind. If italics aren’t available, quotation marks are the next best solution.
What About TV Shows, Episodes, and Franchises?
Here’s where people often blur the lines: movies and TV shows are different types of works — and their formatting rules reflect that.
When dealing with TV-related titles, follow this principle:
- Entire series = Italics
- Single episode = Quotation marks
Examples:
- Breaking Bad changed the face of serialized television.
- The episode “Ozymandias” is widely considered the show’s emotional climax.
And for cinematic universes or franchises?
If you’re referring to the official movie title, italicize it. If you’re casually referencing the brand/franchise, italics are optional.
- Avengers: Endgame was a global event.
- The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand.
Pro tip: when in doubt, ask yourself — “Am I referring to a complete, titled work?” If yes, it’s most likely italicized.
Multilingual Titles, Subtitles & Foreign Films
Foreign films and translated titles still follow the main rules: italicize the full, official movie title, including any subtitles.
If the original title and its English translation are both provided, you format it like this:
- Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain (Amélie)
Also, remember to use the appropriate case formatting depending on your style guide:
- MLA/Chicago use title case: The Lives of Others
- APA uses sentence case: The lives of others
Accuracy matters especially when referencing international films in critical writing, reviews, or academic essays.
Common Mistakes (And How to Never Make Them Again)
Let’s clean up the confusion:
- Don’t use both italics and quotes together. Choose one, based on the style.
- Don’t forget to format subtitles. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is one full title — the whole thing should be italicized or quoted, not split.
- Avoid italics in AP-style writing. Journalists need quotation marks.
- Never assume one format fits all. Always consider the platform, the style guide, and the audience.
Formatting isn’t about being overly pedantic — it’s about building clarity, consistency, and trust in your writing.
Final Takeaway: The Rule That Never Fails
Here’s the simplest way to remember it:
Italicize the title of a full-length film if you’re writing in any academic, creative, or professional context — unless your style guide (like AP) explicitly says otherwise. Use quotation marks if italics aren’t available or if you’re writing in journalistic contexts.
If you’re not sure what style to use, default to italics — it’s almost never wrong in modern writing environments.
