- having to do with movies, as either an industry or an art form: The book explores Andy Warhol's cinematic work, focusing on ten films in detail.
- (of a movie) showing a high level of artistry; grand and visually impressive: This film is filled with sweeping, cinematic shots of the surrounding countryside, to the point where the setting almost becomes a third character.
- having qualities or using techniques associated with good movies, such as drama, emotional intensity, visual or sonic artistry, epic narrative, etc.: Poetic and strikingly cinematic, her exquisitely written novel illuminates the strange tightrope we are all walking in the radically altered landscape post-9/11.
- (in a video game) a short video or scripted event scene between stages of interactive play, often to introduce a new level, develop a character, or advance the plot: This year's NHL game has a lot of the same animations, cinematics between faceoffs, commentary tracks, and graphics.
