How to Cite Hulu in MLA 9 Format

How to Cite Hulu in MLA 9

In MLA 9th edition, you cite streaming content by focusing on the “core elements” of the source, then presenting them in a consistent order. Hulu is usually the container, meaning it is the platform that hosts the work. The “work” itself might be an episode, a full television series, or a film. Your goal is to help a reader find the exact item you watched, on the service you used, with enough detail to avoid confusion.

A Hulu citation usually includes these pieces, when available:

1. Author or creator (often the director, or sometimes the show creator)
2. Title of the work (episode title in quotation marks, series or film title in italics)
3. Title of the container (Hulu, italicized)
4. Version (rare for streaming, but sometimes relevant)
5. Number (season and episode numbers for TV)
6. Publisher (often Hulu, or the production company if shown clearly)
7. Date (year of release, or full date if available)
8. Location (a URL, if your instructor wants it, and if it is stable)

Not every Hulu page displays every element, so MLA allows flexibility. Include what you can verify, and do not invent missing details.

Author Name Rules You Must Follow (Based on Your Requirements)

These rules affect every example below. They matter because they keep your Works Cited list consistent and easy to alphabetize, and they prevent confusion about identity.

One author

• Use the author’s full first name, not initials.
• Invert the first author: Last, First Middle.

Example pattern:
- Last, First Middle.

Two authors

• The first author is inverted.
• The second author is in normal order.
• Use and between names.

Pattern:
- Last, First Middle, and First Last.

Three or more authors

• List only the first author (inverted, full first name).
• Add et al. after the first author.
• Do not list the other authors.

Pattern:
- Last, First Middle, et al.

No author

• Start with the title.
• Do not use “Anonymous” or “n.d.”
• For alphabetizing, ignore A, An, The, but still write the title normally in the citation.

What “Hulu” Usually Is in an MLA Citation

In MLA terms, Hulu is typically the container, the larger source that holds the item you watched. For example:

• An episode is contained in a series, and the series is contained on Hulu.
• A film is contained on Hulu.

This matters because MLA’s structure helps readers locate the item. If you cite only the episode title without Hulu, a reader might not know where you accessed it or which version you used.

Basic Templates for Hulu Citations (MLA 9)

Use these templates as starting points, then adapt to what Hulu actually provides.

Film on Hulu (most common format)

Director Last, First. Film Title. Hulu, Year.

If you are emphasizing a performer or writer instead, you can start with that person’s name and role, but director is a common choice for films.

TV episode on Hulu

Writer or Director Last, First. “Episode Title.” Series Title, season X, episode Y, Hulu, Year.

If the episode has no clearly credited writer or director on the page you are using, you can start with the episode title.

Entire series on Hulu

Creator Last, First. Series Title. Hulu, Years active or Year.

If you cannot confirm a creator, start with the series title.

Examples (With Detailed Explanations)

The examples below show correct MLA formatting and apply your author rules. Replace names and details with the ones shown on the specific Hulu title page or on-screen credits you used.

Example 1: Film on Hulu (Director as author)

Works Cited entry

Peele, Jordan. Get Out. Hulu, 2017.

Why it is formatted this way
- Peele, Jordan is the director and is treated as the main author for the film in this example. The name is inverted, and the first name is written in full, matching your rules.
- Get Out is a complete work, so it is italicized.
- Hulu is the streaming platform, so it is the container and is italicized in MLA.
- 2017 is the release year.

When this approach works best
- When you are analyzing directing choices, themes, or filmmaking decisions, listing the director first makes sense.
- If your assignment is focused on performance, you could choose a lead actor as the author instead, but be consistent across your paper.

Common pitfall
- Using initials, such as “Peele, J.” is not acceptable under your rules. Always use the full first name.

Example 2: TV episode on Hulu (Episode title, series title, season and episode)

Works Cited entry

Gilligan, Vince. “Pilot.” Breaking Bad, season 1, episode 1, Hulu, 2008.

Why it is formatted this way
- The first element is the author. Here, Vince Gilligan is listed as the author, and the first author name is inverted as required: Gilligan, Vince.
- “Pilot” is an episode, which is a short work, so it goes in quotation marks.
- Breaking Bad is the series, a complete work, so it is italicized.
- season 1, episode 1 helps readers find the exact episode, especially since episode titles can repeat across different shows.
- Hulu tells the reader where you accessed it.
- 2008 is the year the episode originally aired or was released.

Practical tip
- If Hulu does not clearly show the season and episode number, you can still cite the episode title and series title, but season and episode details are very helpful when available. Check the episode details screen, not just the thumbnail.

Common pitfalls
- Putting the series title in quotation marks. In MLA, the series title should be italicized.
- Forgetting the comma after the series title when listing season and episode information.

Example 3: Two authors (Your required two-author formatting)

Sometimes you will cite a Hulu item where two people are credited in a way that makes them co-authors for your purposes, such as two directors, or a director and a writer if your instructor agrees.

Works Cited entry

Russo, Anthony, and Joe Russo. Avengers: Endgame. Hulu, 2019.

Why it is formatted this way
- The first author is inverted: Russo, Anthony.
- The second author is in normal order: Joe Russo.
- The word and connects the two names, as your rules require.
- The film title is italicized, Hulu is the container, and the year is included.

Common pitfall
- Inverting both names, such as “Russo, Anthony, and Russo, Joe.” That is not correct under your rules. Only the first author is inverted.

Why These Rules Matter

They make your Works Cited easy to scan and alphabetize

MLA formatting is designed so that your Works Cited list can be alphabetized by the first element, usually the author’s last name. Inverting the first author’s name supports that system.

They reduce confusion between people with similar names

Using full first names improves clarity, especially when multiple creators share a last name or when initials could match several people.

They help readers locate the exact version you used

Streaming platforms sometimes host different edits, different availability windows, or multiple items with similar titles. Including Hulu and the season and episode information makes your citation more precise.

Practical Tips for Citing Hulu Correctly

• Capture details while you watch. Write down the exact episode title, season, episode number, and year. Streaming interfaces change, and details can be harder to find later.
• Be consistent about roles. If you use directors as authors for films, keep doing that throughout your paper unless you have a clear reason to switch.
• Use the title-first approach when needed. If you cannot confirm an author or creator, start with the title rather than guessing.
• Ask your instructor about URLs. Some instructors want a URL for streaming sources. If required, add it at the end. If the URL is extremely long or unstable, your instructor may prefer you to omit it.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Using initials instead of full first names. Your rules require full first names.
• Mixing up italics and quotation marks. Episodes go in quotation marks. Series and films are italicized.
• Listing too many authors for three or more creators. Use only the first author, then et al.
• Inventing missing information. If Hulu does not provide a date or a creator, do not guess. Use what you can verify.

Quick Checklist Before You Submit

• Did you invert the first author’s name and use the full first name?
• Did you use “and” for two authors, with only the first inverted?
• Did you use “et al.” for three or more authors?
• Did you format titles correctly, episodes in quotation marks, series and films in italics?
• Did you include Hulu as the container?

If you tell me whether you are citing a film, a single episode, or an entire series, and you share the on-screen credits you are using as “author,” I can format a Works Cited entry that follows your rules exactly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Common Errors for Hulu Citations

Validation Checklist

Special Cases

What makes Hulu citations tricky in MLA 9

Hulu is a streaming platform, not the creator of most content on it. In MLA 9, you cite the work itself (a series episode, a film, a documentary special), and you use Hulu as the container where you accessed it. The edge cases come from how streaming interfaces hide details, how titles change across regions, and how many people can be “authors” depending on what you watched.

MLA 9 is flexible, but it still expects you to make consistent choices. The goal is that a reader can identify the exact work you used, find it again, and understand what version you watched. That is why details like episode titles, season and episode numbers, original release year, and the platform access date can matter more for streaming than for print.

Core Hulu pattern you build from

A common MLA 9 structure for streaming video looks like this:

Author or main contributor. “Title of episode or segment.” Title of series or program, season number, episode number, Publisher or distributor (if relevant), streaming service, URL. Accessed Day Mon. Year.

Not every element appears every time. The special cases below explain what to do when you cannot identify an author, when Hulu shows multiple dates, when the work is part of a series, or when the URL is messy.

Special case 1, No clear author or creator listed

Many Hulu pages do not clearly list a director or writer, especially for older TV episodes. MLA 9 allows you to start with the title when no author is available. This is often the best choice for Hulu because it avoids guessing.

Why it matters: If you guess an author, you may misattribute the work. Starting with the title is accurate and still lets your Works Cited list alphabetize correctly.

Practical tip: Check the end credits in the episode, or look for a “Details” tab. If you still cannot confirm a creator, treat it as no author.

Special case 2, Multiple contributors, director, writer, performers, and “creator”

Streaming works can have many meaningful contributors. MLA 9 asks you to choose the contributor most relevant to your use. For a film analysis, the director is often the best lead. For an episode where you analyze writing choices, a writer credit can make sense. For a stand up special, the performer is usually the most relevant.

Why it matters: The first element sets the focus of your citation. It tells readers whose work you are emphasizing.

Name rules you must follow (as requested):
- Use full first names, not initials.
- Invert the first author name, Last, First Middle.
- For two authors, invert the first, then use normal order for the second, with “and.”
- For three or more authors, list only the first author (inverted) followed by “et al.”

Common pitfall: Crediting “Hulu” as the author. Hulu is usually the container, not the creator.

Special case 3, Series episodes versus full series

If you cite a single episode, you should include the episode title in quotation marks, then the series title in italics. If you cite the entire series, italicize the series title and omit episode details.

Why it matters: A reader needs to know whether your evidence comes from one episode or the whole show. Your in text citation and Works Cited entry should match that scope.

Practical tip: If your argument depends on a specific scene, cite the episode. If you discuss a series trend across seasons, cite the full series, and consider citing key episodes separately as additional entries.

Special case 4, Season and episode numbering inconsistencies

Hulu sometimes labels episodes differently than other databases. MLA lets you include season and episode numbers when they help identification, but you should not invent them.

What to do:
- Use the season and episode numbers as Hulu presents them.
- If Hulu does not show episode numbers, you can omit them and rely on the episode title and date.

Why it matters: Overly specific but wrong numbering makes a citation harder to verify than a simpler, accurate citation.

Special case 5, Dates, original release year versus Hulu availability

Hulu pages may show a year for the series, a year for the episode, and sometimes no clear date at all. MLA 9 prefers the date of the work itself when available. For an episode, use the episode’s original air date if you can confirm it reliably. If you cannot, you can omit the date and rely on other elements, then include an access date.

Why it matters: Dates help readers identify the exact version and place it in context. Access dates matter for streaming because availability and metadata change.

Practical tip: If you use an external database to confirm an air date, be consistent. Do not mix uncertain dates into the Hulu citation. If you discuss historical context, you can mention the air date in your writing and still cite the Hulu version you watched.

Special case 6, URL problems and when to include them

Hulu URLs can be long, session based, or region specific. MLA 9 allows you to include a URL, and for streaming it is usually helpful. If the URL is extremely long or unstable, use the stable page URL if available. If you cannot get a stable link, you can cite Hulu without a URL, but you should include the platform and access date.

Why it matters: A clean URL increases retrievability. A broken URL frustrates readers.

Common pitfall: Copying the URL from the browser after logging in, which can include tracking parameters. Try to use the share link.

Special case 7, Ads, subscription tiers, and “version” differences

Hulu can show different cuts, captions, or availability depending on subscription tier and region. MLA 9 does not require you to describe your plan, but if the version affects your argument, you should note it in your text, and you can add a short description in the optional “Description” slot.

Why it matters: If your analysis depends on captions, dubbing, or a particular edit, version differences are evidence relevant.

Special case 8, Citing a clip versus the whole episode

If you are analyzing a short segment, MLA still typically has you cite the full episode or film, then specify the time range in your in text citation if your instructor allows it, for example, 00:12:10 to 00:13:05. MLA 9 does not have one mandatory format for time stamps, but consistency matters.

Why it matters: Hulu does not always provide stable clip URLs. Citing the full work is more reliable.

Examples with correct formatting and explanations

Example 1, No author listed, citing a single TV episode on Hulu

Works Cited entry:

“Pilot.” Only Murders in the Building, season 1, episode 1, Hulu, www.hulu.com/series/only-murders-in-the-building. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Why this works:
- No author is listed, so the citation starts with the episode title in quotation marks.
- The series title is the container, so it is italicized.
- Season and episode numbers help identify the exact episode.
- Hulu is the streaming service container.
- The access date is included because streaming availability and metadata can change.

Common pitfall to avoid: Starting with “Hulu” as the author. That misidentifies the creator.

Example 2, Director as the lead contributor for a film on Hulu

Works Cited entry:

DuVernay, Ava. Selma. Paramount Pictures, Hulu, www.hulu.com/movie/selma. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Why this works:
- The director is used as the lead contributor because films are commonly cited by director in MLA when you are analyzing the film as a directed work.
- The first author name is inverted and uses a full first name.
- The film title is italicized because it is a complete work.
- The studio is included as publisher or distributor, which can help identify the production.
- Hulu is listed as the container where you watched it, followed by the URL and access date.

Common pitfall to avoid: Using initials, for example, “A. DuVernay.” Your rule requires full first names.

Example 3, Two writers credited, following your two author rule

Works Cited entry:

Gilligan, Vince and Peter Gould. “Saul Gone.” Better Call Saul, season 6, episode 13, Sony Pictures Television, Hulu, www.hulu.com/series/better-call-saul. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Why this works:
- Two authors are listed, the first is inverted, the second is in normal order, and they are joined by “and.”
- Full first names are used.
- The episode title is in quotation marks, the series title is italicized.
- Season and episode identify the exact installment.
- The production company helps distinguish the work, then Hulu is the streaming container.

Common pitfall to avoid: Listing both authors inverted, or using an ampersand. MLA uses “and,” and only the first author is inverted.

Why these rules matter, beyond formatting

MLA 9 citations are not just decoration. They are a roadmap. With streaming sources, readers cannot flip to a page number, and platforms can change titles, reorder episodes, or remove content. Clear author choices, accurate titles, and access dates help your reader locate the same material and understand what you actually watched. Your author name rules also support consistency and fairness, since full first names reduce ambiguity and better reflect creator identity.

Quick practical checklist for Hulu edge cases

• If you cannot confirm a creator, start with the title. Do not guess.
• Use episode titles for single episodes, series titles for whole series.
• Include season and episode numbers when available and reliable.
• Prefer stable URLs, avoid login or tracking links when possible.
• Use an access date for streaming sources.
• If version details matter, note them in your text, and keep the Works Cited entry clean and consistent.

If you tell me whether you are citing a film, a single episode, a whole series, or a special, I can format a Works Cited entry for your exact Hulu item using your author rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a TV episode I watched on Hulu in MLA 9?

To cite a specific episode on Hulu in MLA 9, treat it like an episode from a streaming service. Start with the episode title in quotation marks, then the series title in italics. Add key contributors if they help readers identify the episode, such as the director, writer, or performers, introduced with labels like “Directed by.” Include the season and episode numbers if available, then the streaming service name, the URL, and your access date if your instructor requests it. Practical scenario, if you are analyzing a single episode’s theme, cite the episode rather than the whole series. In your in text citation, use the episode title in quotation marks, or the first words of it. MLA episode guidance: https://style.mla.org/citing-episodes/ and the MLA works cited basics: https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/.

How do I cite an entire TV series on Hulu instead of one episode in MLA 9?

If you watched multiple episodes and your discussion is about the show as a whole, cite the entire series. In MLA 9, list the series title in italics first. Then add important contributors if relevant, such as the creator, showrunner, or a lead performer, especially when multiple series share similar titles. Include the platform, Hulu, followed by the URL for the series landing page, then an access date if required. Practical scenario, if you reference the show’s overall portrayal of a topic across seasons, a series level citation is clearer than citing one episode. In text, use a shortened version of the series title. If you later discuss a specific scene from a particular episode, add a separate entry for that episode. Helpful MLA overview: https://style.mla.org/citing-a-tv-series/ and streaming container details: https://style.mla.org/containers/.

Do I need to include the Hulu URL and an access date when citing Hulu in MLA 9?

In MLA 9, you should include a URL when it helps readers locate the source, which is usually true for streaming content. Use the most stable link you can find, typically the show or episode page on Hulu. Do not include a long tracking link if you can avoid it. Access dates are optional in MLA 9, but many instructors still want them for online sources that can change, disappear, or vary by region. Practical scenario, if your classmate cannot find the episode because Hulu’s catalog changes, an access date shows when you watched it and supports your research timeline. If your instructor does not specify, including an access date is a safe choice. MLA guidance on access dates and URLs: https://style.mla.org/urls/ and https://style.mla.org/using-access-dates/.

How do I cite a movie on Hulu in MLA 9, and what if Hulu lists different credits than IMDb?

For a film on Hulu, begin with the film title in italics. Then include the director (and other contributors if relevant), the production company, and the release year if you know it. After that, list Hulu as the streaming service, the URL, and an access date if required. If Hulu’s credit list differs from IMDb, prioritize the credits shown in the version you used, since your citation should reflect what you consulted. Practical scenario, if you are writing about a director’s style, include “Directed by” and the director’s name. If you are comparing two versions of a film, cite each version separately and note the platform. MLA film guidance: https://style.mla.org/citing-films/ and general MLA works cited rules: https://style.mla.org/mla-format/.

What should I do if I cannot find the episode date, season, or episode number on Hulu?

Use what you can verify from Hulu, and omit details you cannot confirm. MLA 9 allows flexibility, so you can cite the episode title, series title, key contributors, Hulu, the URL, and your access date without forcing missing season or episode information. Practical scenario, some older shows on Hulu display episode titles but not clear season numbers, or the numbering differs from other databases. In that case, use the episode title and series title as your main identifiers, since those are the most searchable. If you must support a specific moment, add a time range in your notes for your own accuracy, even though MLA does not require timestamps for streaming. For missing publication details, see MLA guidance: https://style.mla.org/missing-information/.

How do I do in text citations for Hulu, especially when there are no page numbers?

MLA in text citations for Hulu usually use the title element from your Works Cited entry, because there are no page numbers. If you cited an episode, use the episode title in quotation marks in your parenthetical citation, or use it in the sentence and cite only what is needed. If you cited a film or series, use the italicized title shortened if it is long. Practical scenario, if you quote dialogue from a Hulu episode, you can write the character’s name in your prose, then cite the episode title in parentheses. Avoid inventing page numbers. If your instructor wants timestamps, you can add a time range in the text, but it is not standard MLA practice. MLA in text citation overview: https://style.mla.org/in-text-citations/ and guidance on titles in citations: https://style.mla.org/titles-in-the-works-cited-list/.

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