How to Cite Amazon Prime Video in MLA 9 Format

What you are citing when you use Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is usually the platform where you watched something, not the work itself. In MLA 9, you cite the work (a film, an episode, a season, a documentary, or a special) and then you include the streaming platform as the “container.” A container is the place where the work is housed and accessed.

For most Prime Video citations, you will have:

• Title of the work (film title, episode title, or series title)
• Key contributors (often director, creators, performers, or both, depending on what you want to emphasize)
• Version (optional, only if it matters, such as “Director’s Cut”)
• Publisher or distributor (often Amazon, Amazon Studios, or another company shown on the title page)
• Year (or full date for episodes)
• Container (Prime Video)
• URL (a stable link if possible)
• Access date (optional in MLA 9, but strongly recommended for streaming since availability changes)

Your special rules about author names apply when you list people in the author position, such as a director or creator. The first listed person is inverted. Additional names follow normal order, and you handle multiple authors with “and” or “et al.” as you specified.

The basic MLA 9 template for Prime Video

A practical template for a Prime Video film or special looks like this:

Last, First Middle, director. Title of Film. Publisher, Year. Prime Video, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

For a TV episode on Prime Video, you usually cite the episode and list the series as a container inside a container:

“Title of Episode.” Title of Series, created by First Last, season number, episode number, Publisher, Date. Prime Video, URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

MLA calls this “containers within containers.” The episode is inside the series, and the series is inside Prime Video.

How to choose the “author” for streaming video

When a director makes sense

For a film, listing the director first is common and widely accepted in MLA. This is especially helpful when you discuss filmmaking choices, style, or interpretation.

When a creator makes sense

For a TV series, the creator can be more useful, especially if your discussion is about the show’s overall design, themes across episodes, or authorship of the series concept.

When performers make sense

If your analysis focuses on acting, you can start with a performer, but this is less common for Works Cited entries unless your assignment specifically asks for it.

If you cannot identify a person confidently

If you cannot find a clear director or creator, use no author and start with the title. MLA prefers accuracy over guessing.

Your name rules, applied to Prime Video citations

These rules matter because MLA Works Cited lists are alphabetized and designed to help readers locate sources quickly.

Full first names, not initials

Using full first names improves clarity, helps distinguish people with similar names, and aligns with your guide’s emphasis on respectful identification.

First author inverted

The first listed name must be inverted, for example Gerwig, Greta. This supports alphabetization by last name.

Two authors use “and”

If you list two people in the author position, invert only the first and connect with “and,” for example:
Daniels, Daniel and Daniel Kwan.
Only do this when you truly mean they are the main “authors” you are crediting at the start.

Three or more authors use “et al.”

List only the first person, inverted, then add et al. For example:
Jenkins, Barry et al.
Do not list the additional names before et al., since your rules require only the first author.

No author means start with the title

If no person is credited clearly, begin with the title. Do not use “Anonymous” or “n.d.” In MLA, the title can do the job of identifying the source.

Example 1, Film on Prime Video (director as author)

Works Cited entry (format shown correctly)

Coogler, Ryan, director. Black Panther. Marvel Studios, 2018. Prime Video, https://www.amazon.com/. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Why it is formatted this way

• Coogler, Ryan, director. The director is treated as the main contributor. The first name is inverted, and the role is stated.
• Black Panther. The full film is italicized.
• Marvel Studios, 2018. The distributor or studio is listed, followed by the year.
• Prime Video, URL. Prime Video is the container where you accessed it. Including a URL helps readers find it, although Prime links can vary by region.
• Accessed date. Streaming catalogs change, so the access date helps document when you viewed it.

Practical tip

On Prime Video pages, the most stable link is not always easy to capture. If the URL is extremely long, you can use the main page URL as shown above, but a direct title link is better when it is stable and shareable.

Example 2, TV episode on Prime Video (episode inside series inside Prime Video)

Works Cited entry

“The Pilot.” The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, season 1, episode 1, Amazon Studios, 17 Mar. 2017. Prime Video, https://www.amazon.com/. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Why it is formatted this way

• “The Pilot.” Episode titles go in quotation marks.
• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, The series title is italicized, and the creator is credited because a series is often discussed as a whole. The creator name is in normal order here because it is not the first element of the entry.
• season 1, episode 1, Season and episode numbers help readers locate the exact part you used.
• Amazon Studios, 17 Mar. 2017. For episodes, a full date is often available and is useful.
• Prime Video, URL, Accessed date. Prime Video is the second container, and the access date documents availability.

Common pitfall

Do not italicize the episode title. Only the series title is italicized. Also, avoid listing Prime Video as the publisher. Prime Video is the platform, not necessarily the producer.

Example 3, No author listed clearly (start with title)

Works Cited entry

Some Documentary Title. 2020. Prime Video, https://www.amazon.com/. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Why it is formatted this way

• When you cannot confirm a director, creator, or other main contributor, MLA allows you to begin with the title.
• The title is italicized because it is a complete work.
• The year and platform still provide a clear path for readers to locate it.

Practical tip

Before using “no author,” check the Prime Video page for “Director” or “Starring,” and check the opening credits if possible. Use no author only when the contributor information is missing or unclear.

Why these rules matter

They make your Works Cited easy to scan

Inverted first names ensure consistent alphabetizing. Readers can find entries quickly by last name.

They support accurate credit

Full first names reduce confusion and help attribute work to the correct person.

They improve traceability

Streaming content can move between services or disappear. Listing the platform and access date strengthens your citation’s reliability.

They prevent formatting inconsistencies

Using quotation marks for episodes and italics for films and series keeps your list consistent and MLA compliant.

Practical tips and common pitfalls for Prime Video citations

Tips

• Capture details while you watch. Write down the director, creators, season, episode, and release date.
• Use the most specific title you can. For TV, cite the episode if you used one episode. Cite the series if you discussed the show broadly.
• Add an access date. It is optional in MLA 9, but it is very useful for streaming.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Treating Prime Video as the author. The platform is usually the container, not the author.
• Using initials for names. Your guide requires full first names.
• Inverting every name. Only the first author name is inverted. Names that appear later in the citation are not inverted.
• Listing too many authors. For three or more authors in the author position, use the first author plus “et al.”
• Forgetting title formatting. Films and series titles are italicized. Episode titles are in quotation marks.

Quick checklist you can apply to any Prime Video citation

• Did you choose the right starting point, person or title?
• If a person starts the entry, is the first author inverted and written with a full first name?
• Is the title formatted correctly, italics for whole works and quotation marks for episodes?
• Did you include the studio or distributor and the date?
• Did you list Prime Video as the container and include a URL?
• Did you include an access date for streaming stability?

If you tell me whether you are citing a film, a whole series, or a specific episode, and you share the title page details you have, I can format a final Works Cited entry that follows your exact rules.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Common Errors for Amazon Prime Video Citations

Validation Checklist

Special Cases

What makes Amazon Prime Video citations tricky in MLA 9

Amazon Prime Video is not a single “type” of source. It can be the distributor of a film, the host platform for a television episode, or simply the place you watched content that was produced and released elsewhere. MLA 9 asks you to cite what you actually used, and to give enough details that a reader can find the same item again. The edge cases happen when Prime Video’s interface hides information, changes URLs, or presents multiple versions of the same title.

A reliable approach is to treat Prime Video as the container (the platform where you watched), then build the citation around the work itself (film, episode, or season). When details are missing, MLA 9 lets you omit them, but you should still include the key elements that identify the work.

The basic MLA 9 pattern for streaming on Prime Video

For most items on Prime Video, your Works Cited entry will look like this:

• Title of film or episode.
• Title of series (if relevant).
• Contributors (director, creators, performers, if you choose and if they help identify the work).
• Version (if there are multiple cuts or editions).
• Number (season and episode, if relevant).
• Publisher or platform (Prime Video, or Amazon Prime Video).
• Date (release date, or the date shown on the platform).
• URL (a stable link, if available).

MLA 9 is flexible, but consistency matters. Your goal is that a reader can locate the same work and understand what you watched.

Special case 1, When there is no clear author

Many Prime Video pages do not give a single “author.” A film has a director, writers, and producers, but MLA does not require you to force an author field. If your assignment does not demand a specific contributor, you can start with the title.

Why this rule matters: Starting with the title prevents guessing. Guessing an author can misattribute credit and can make your Works Cited hard to alphabetize consistently.

Practical tip

If you are writing about directing choices, include the director. If you are writing about acting, you can include key performers. If you are analyzing the work as a whole, starting with the title is often best.

Special case 2, Multiple versions, cuts, or language options

Prime Video sometimes offers the same title in different versions, such as a theatrical cut and an extended cut, or separate listings for dubbed and subtitled versions. If the version affects what you are analyzing, include it as a version element.

Why this rule matters: Small differences can change scenes, dialogue, or even endings. Your reader needs to know which version you used.

Practical tip

Look for labels like “Extended,” “Director’s Cut,” “Unrated,” “4K UHD,” or language tags. If Prime Video does not label the version clearly, you can describe it briefly in your notes, but avoid inventing a formal version name in the citation.

Special case 3, TV episodes, seasons, and Prime Video “channels”

Prime Video content may be included with Prime, rented, purchased, or accessed through an add on channel like Max, Paramount+, or BritBox. In MLA terms, the episode is the work, the series is a container, and Prime Video is usually a second container, the platform where you watched it.

If the content is accessed through a channel inside Prime Video, you can mention the channel if it helps retrieval. If Prime Video is merely the interface and the channel is the real distributor, you may include both, but keep it readable.

Why this rule matters: A reader might not find the episode if it is only available through a channel subscription. Including the channel can explain access.

Practical tip

If you can clearly identify the service as a channel listing, note it after Prime Video or within the container information. If you cannot, it is acceptable to cite Prime Video as the platform you used.

Special case 4, Missing dates or confusing dates

Prime Video pages can show a year that reflects the original release, a year the title was added to Prime, or a year for a remaster. Use the date that best matches the version you watched, and be consistent across your paper.

• For a film, the original release year is usually fine.
• For an episode, use the episode’s original air date if you can find it.
• If Prime Video only shows one year and you cannot verify more, use what is displayed.

Why this rule matters: Dates help distinguish works with the same title and help readers locate the correct version.

Common pitfall

Do not add “n.d.” when a date is missing. MLA does not require it, and your rules explicitly avoid it.

Special case 5, Unstable URLs and app only viewing

Prime Video links can be long, session based, or different across devices. MLA prefers a URL that works for readers. If you cannot get a stable URL, you can omit it. MLA allows that, especially for content accessed through an app.

Why this rule matters: A broken link frustrates readers and weakens your documentation. A clean citation without a URL is better than a nonfunctional one.

Practical tip

Try to use the title’s main landing page URL, not a search results URL. If your link contains long tracking parameters, remove them when possible, as long as the link still works.

Special case 6, Crediting creators, directors, and performers, and your author rules

MLA 9 does not force you to list an “author” for film and TV, but if you do list contributors, follow consistent name formatting. Your rules require full first names, not initials. If you list two creators, use “and.” If you list three or more, list the first and add “et al.”

Why this rule matters: Consistent naming supports clear attribution and consistent alphabetizing in Works Cited. It also avoids confusion when different people share surnames or initials.

Common pitfall

Do not invert the second name in a two person list. Only the first name is inverted.

Example 1, Film on Prime Video with no named author, start with title

Works Cited entry

Knives Out. Prime Video, 2019, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082F1V8W5.

Why this formatting is correct
- No author is forced. The citation starts with the film title in italics.
- Prime Video is the container where you watched it.
- The year identifies the film.
- The URL points to the film’s page.

When to adjust it
If your analysis focuses on directing, you could add the director after the title, for example, “Directed by Rian Johnson.” Only do this if it supports your purpose.

Example 2, TV episode on Prime Video, include episode title, series, season and episode

Works Cited entry

“The National Anthem.” Black Mirror, season 1, episode 1, Prime Video, 2011, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FZ0QKCS.

Why this formatting is correct
- The episode title is in quotation marks because it is a part of a larger work.
- The series title is italicized as the container.
- Season and episode numbers help a reader find the exact episode.
- Prime Video identifies the platform used.
- The year helps distinguish release timing.

Common pitfall
Do not italicize the episode title. Only the series title is italicized.

Example 3, Series creators as “authors,” three or more creators, use et al.

Sometimes you want to credit creators because your argument is about authorship, style, or showrunning. If there are three or more creators, list the first creator only, inverted, then add “et al.” Your rules require full first names.

Works Cited entry

Gervais, Ricky, et al. The Office. Prime Video, 2001, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BCA0MZ6.

Why this formatting is correct
- The first creator’s name is inverted, last name first.
- “Et al.” is used because there are three or more creators.
- The series title is italicized.
- Prime Video is the platform container.

Important note
This approach is best when creators are clearly credited and relevant to your discussion. If you are citing a specific episode, cite the episode instead of the whole series.

Why these rules matter in an MLA 9 guide

MLA 9 is designed to help readers retrace your research path. Streaming platforms complicate that path because availability changes, pages vary by region, and metadata can be incomplete. Clear titles, accurate containers, and consistent names make your citations trustworthy. They also protect you from accidental misattribution, especially when Prime Video’s interface emphasizes the platform branding more than the original production details.

Quick practical checklist and common pitfalls

Checklist

• Use the title first if no single author is appropriate.
• Treat Prime Video as the container where you watched.
• Add season and episode for TV.
• Include a version if it changes the content.
• Use a clean, stable URL when possible, otherwise omit it.
• Follow your name rules if you include contributors, full first names, first name inverted only for the first listed person.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Listing initials instead of full first names for contributors.
• Inverting the second author in a two author list.
• Using “n.d.” for missing dates.
• Citing a search results page URL instead of the title’s landing page.
• Mixing up the episode title and series title formatting.

If you tell me whether you are citing a film, a single episode, or an entire series, and whether it was included with Prime or accessed via a channel, I can tailor a model citation that fits your exact edge case.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a movie I watched on Amazon Prime Video in MLA 9?

In MLA 9, treat a film on Amazon Prime Video as a work viewed on a streaming platform. Start with the film title in italics, then list key contributors if they are important to your discussion, such as the director. Add the distributor or production company if relevant, the year of release, then the streaming service name, and the URL (or a stable link) without https://. Include an access date if the content is likely to change or if your instructor requests it. Example scenario, you watched a film for a media studies paper and you are analyzing directing choices, so you include the director. For formatting and role labels like “Directed by,” follow MLA guidance on audiovisual works. Helpful reference: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-audiovisual-media/ and https://style.mla.org/citing-digital-sources/.

How do I cite an episode of a TV series on Amazon Prime Video, and do I cite the episode or the whole series?

Cite the episode if you are discussing a specific episode, scene, or quotation, since the episode is the source you actually used. Begin with the episode title in quotation marks, then the series title in italics. Add contributors as needed, such as “Directed by” or “Written by,” followed by season and episode numbers if available, the original release date, then Amazon Prime Video, and the URL. Cite the whole series only when your discussion addresses the series as a complete work, such as overall themes across seasons, and you did not rely on one episode. Practical scenario, you analyze a single monologue from one episode, so cite that episode and use a timestamp in your in text citation. More guidance: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-audiovisual-media/.

Do I need to include the URL for Amazon Prime Video, and what if the link is long or requires a login?

MLA recommends including a URL for online works when it helps readers locate the source. For Amazon Prime Video, links can be long and sometimes require a subscription login. Use the most direct, stable link you can get from the title page, and omit https://. If the URL is extremely long, it is still acceptable, but you can use a shorter canonical page link if Amazon provides one that still identifies the title. If the link is unusable for readers, include the platform name and enough identifying details, such as the exact title and year, so the work can be found through search on the platform. Practical scenario, your class uses Prime Video, but your professor may not have access, so clear details matter. MLA URL advice: https://style.mla.org/citing-urls/.

How do I do in text citations for Amazon Prime Video, especially if there are no page numbers?

For streaming video, MLA in text citations usually use the title, or a shortened title, because there are no page numbers. When you need to point to a specific moment, add a timestamp range after the title. Example, (“The Episode Title” 12:14 to 12:52). If you mention the title in your sentence, you can include only the time range in parentheses. Practical scenario, you quote dialogue and want your reader to find it quickly, so you give the exact time. If you cite an entire film or episode generally, you can omit the timestamp. Make sure the corresponding Works Cited entry matches the title you use in text. For MLA in text basics and time based citations, see https://style.mla.org/in-text-citations/.

What date should I list for a Prime Video title, the original release year, the streaming date, or my access date?

Use the date that best identifies the version you watched. For most films, list the original release year, since that is the standard identifying date. For TV episodes, use the episode’s original air or release date when available. You generally do not list the date you streamed it as a publication date, since streaming is a method of access, not a new release. Add an access date if the content may change, if you suspect the platform’s catalog shifts, or if your instructor requires it. Practical scenario, Prime Video rotates titles, so an access date can help explain why a reader cannot find it later. MLA date guidance for online works: https://style.mla.org/dates-in-mla-works-cited/.

How do I cite Prime Video content that is listed as an Amazon Original, and who counts as the publisher?

If the title is labeled as an Amazon Original, you still cite it like other streaming video, but you may list Amazon Studios or the production company as the publisher or distributor if that information is relevant and available. In MLA 9, you can include key contributors, then the production company or distributor, the year, then Amazon Prime Video as the platform, followed by the URL. If multiple companies are shown, choose the one most responsible for issuing the work, often Amazon Studios for Originals. Practical scenario, you are writing about Amazon’s branding strategy, so naming Amazon Studios is useful. If you are focused on directing or performance, prioritize those contributors instead. For publisher and container concepts in MLA, see https://style.mla.org/containers/.

Last Updated: 2026-01-01
Reading Time: 10 minutes