diff --git a/binaries/data/mods/public/maps/scenarios/cinema_demo.js b/binaries/data/mods/public/maps/scenarios/cinema_demo.js
index a38088d75f..293e9b0f00 100644
--- a/binaries/data/mods/public/maps/scenarios/cinema_demo.js
+++ b/binaries/data/mods/public/maps/scenarios/cinema_demo.js
@@ -1,22 +1,21 @@
 Trigger.prototype.CounterMessage = function(data)
 {
-	var cmpGUIInterface = Engine.QueryInterface(SYSTEM_ENTITY, IID_GuiInterface);
-	cmpGUIInterface.PushNotification({
+	Engine.QueryInterface(SYSTEM_ENTITY, IID_GuiInterface)?.PushNotification({
 		"players": [1, 2],
 		"message": markForTranslation("Cutscene starts after 5 seconds"),
 		"translateMessage": true
 	});
 };
 
-Trigger.prototype.StartCutscene = function(data)
+Trigger.prototype.StartCutscene = function()
 {
-	var cmpCinemaManager = Engine.QueryInterface(SYSTEM_ENTITY, IID_CinemaManager);
+	const cmpCinemaManager = Engine.QueryInterface(SYSTEM_ENTITY, IID_CinemaManager);
 	if (!cmpCinemaManager)
 		return;
-	cmpCinemaManager.AddCinemaPathToQueue("test");
-	cmpCinemaManager.Play();
+	cmpCinemaManager.PushPathToQueue("test");
+	cmpCinemaManager.StartPlayingQueue();
 };
 
-var cmpTrigger = Engine.QueryInterface(SYSTEM_ENTITY, IID_Trigger);
+const cmpTrigger = Engine.QueryInterface(SYSTEM_ENTITY, IID_Trigger);
 cmpTrigger.DoAfterDelay(1000, "CounterMessage", {});
-cmpTrigger.DoAfterDelay(6000, "StartCutscene", {});
+cmpTrigger.DoAfterDelay(5000, "StartCutscene", {});
diff --git a/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/GuiInterface.js b/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/GuiInterface.js
index 1f892f7ea7..d3cdcde055 100644
--- a/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/GuiInterface.js
+++ b/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/components/GuiInterface.js
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ GuiInterface.prototype.GetSimulationState = function()
 
 	const cmpCinemaManager = Engine.QueryInterface(SYSTEM_ENTITY, IID_CinemaManager);
 	if (cmpCinemaManager)
-		ret.cinemaPlaying = cmpCinemaManager.IsPlaying();
+		ret.cinemaPlaying = cmpCinemaManager.IsPlayingQueue();
 
 	const cmpEndGameManager = Engine.QueryInterface(SYSTEM_ENTITY, IID_EndGameManager);
 	ret.victoryConditions = cmpEndGameManager.GetVictoryConditions();
diff --git a/source/graphics/CinemaManager.cpp b/source/graphics/CinemaManager.cpp
index 9f8ac7a5a2..c18713c8fd 100644
--- a/source/graphics/CinemaManager.cpp
+++ b/source/graphics/CinemaManager.cpp
@@ -51,12 +51,12 @@ void CCinemaManager::Update(const float deltaRealTime) const
 		return;
 
 	if (IsPlaying())
-		cmpCinemaManager->PlayQueue(deltaRealTime, g_Game->GetView()->GetCamera());
+		cmpCinemaManager->UpdateActivePath(deltaRealTime, g_Game->GetView()->GetCamera());
 }
 
 void CCinemaManager::Render(Renderer::Backend::IDeviceCommandContext& deviceCommandContext) const
 {
-	if (!IsEnabled() && m_DrawPaths)
+	if (!IsPlaying() && m_DrawPaths)
 		DrawPaths(deviceCommandContext);
 }
 
@@ -121,15 +121,10 @@ void CCinemaManager::DrawNodes(Renderer::Backend::IDeviceCommandContext& deviceC
 	}
 }
 
-bool CCinemaManager::IsEnabled() const
-{
-	CmpPtr<ICmpCinemaManager> cmpCinemaManager(g_Game->GetSimulation2()->GetSimContext().GetSystemEntity());
-	return cmpCinemaManager && cmpCinemaManager->IsEnabled();
-}
-
 bool CCinemaManager::IsPlaying() const
 {
-	return IsEnabled() && g_Game && !g_Game->m_Paused;
+	CmpPtr<ICmpCinemaManager> cmpCinemaManager(g_Game->GetSimulation2()->GetSimContext().GetSystemEntity());
+	return cmpCinemaManager && cmpCinemaManager->IsPlayingQueue();
 }
 
 bool CCinemaManager::GetPathsDrawing() const
diff --git a/source/graphics/CinemaManager.h b/source/graphics/CinemaManager.h
index b7d4d3a458..6f67493d00 100644
--- a/source/graphics/CinemaManager.h
+++ b/source/graphics/CinemaManager.h
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@ public:
 	void Render(Renderer::Backend::IDeviceCommandContext& deviceCommandContext) const;
 
 	bool IsPlaying() const;
-	bool IsEnabled() const;
 
 	/**
 	 * Updates CCinemManager and current path
diff --git a/source/graphics/GameView.cpp b/source/graphics/GameView.cpp
index d67739214e..03cccac34c 100644
--- a/source/graphics/GameView.cpp
+++ b/source/graphics/GameView.cpp
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* Copyright (C) 2025 Wildfire Games.
+/* Copyright (C) 2026 Wildfire Games.
  * This file is part of 0 A.D.
  *
  * 0 A.D. is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
@@ -291,6 +291,9 @@ void CGameView::Update(const float deltaRealTime)
 {
 	m->MiniMapTexture.Update(deltaRealTime);
 
+	m->CinemaManager.Update(deltaRealTime);
+	if (m->CinemaManager.IsPlaying())
+		return;
 	// If camera movement is being handled by the touch-input system,
 	// then we should stop to avoid conflicting with it
 	if (g_TouchInput.IsEnabled())
@@ -299,10 +302,6 @@ void CGameView::Update(const float deltaRealTime)
 	if (!g_app_has_focus)
 		return;
 
-	m->CinemaManager.Update(deltaRealTime);
-	if (m->CinemaManager.IsEnabled())
-		return;
-
 	m->CameraController->Update(deltaRealTime);
 }
 
@@ -354,7 +353,7 @@ entity_id_t CGameView::GetFollowedEntity()
 InReaction game_view_handler(const SDL_Event_* ev)
 {
 	// put any events that must be processed even if inactive here
-	if (!g_app_has_focus || !g_Game || !g_Game->IsGameStarted() || g_Game->GetView()->GetCinema()->IsEnabled())
+	if (!g_app_has_focus || !g_Game || !g_Game->IsGameStarted() || g_Game->GetView()->GetCinema()->IsPlaying())
 		return IN_PASS;
 
 	CGameView *pView=g_Game->GetView();
diff --git a/source/simulation2/components/CCmpCinemaManager.cpp b/source/simulation2/components/CCmpCinemaManager.cpp
index bc416e1e20..fc82ab172f 100644
--- a/source/simulation2/components/CCmpCinemaManager.cpp
+++ b/source/simulation2/components/CCmpCinemaManager.cpp
@@ -26,11 +26,10 @@
 #include "ps/CLogger.h"
 #include "ps/CStr.h"
 #include "ps/Game.h"
+#include "renderer/Renderer.h"
+#include "renderer/SceneRenderer.h"
 #include "simulation2/MessageTypes.h"
-#include "simulation2/components/ICmpOverlayRenderer.h"
 #include "simulation2/components/ICmpRangeManager.h"
-#include "simulation2/components/ICmpSelectable.h"
-#include "simulation2/components/ICmpTerritoryManager.h"
 #include "simulation2/helpers/CinemaPath.h"
 #include "simulation2/system/Component.h"
 #include "simulation2/system/Entity.h"
@@ -50,6 +49,7 @@ public:
 	static void ClassInit(CComponentManager& componentManager)
 	{
 		componentManager.SubscribeToMessageType(MT_Update);
+		componentManager.SubscribeToMessageType(MT_Deserialized);
 	}
 
 	DEFAULT_COMPONENT_ALLOCATOR(CinemaManager)
@@ -61,11 +61,11 @@ public:
 
 	void Init(const CParamNode&) override
 	{
-		m_Enabled = false;
-		m_MapRevealed = false;
-		m_ElapsedTime = fixed::Zero();
-		m_TotalTime = fixed::Zero();
-		m_CurrentPathElapsedTime = fixed::Zero();
+		m_IsPlayingPathQueue = false;
+		m_QueuePlayingElapsedTime = fixed::Zero();
+		m_PathQueueDuration = fixed::Zero();
+		m_ActivePathElapsedTime = fixed::Zero();
+		m_WasMapRevealed = false;
 	}
 
 	void Deinit() override
@@ -74,10 +74,10 @@ public:
 
 	void Serialize(ISerializer& serializer) override
 	{
-		serializer.Bool("Enabled", m_Enabled);
-		serializer.NumberFixed_Unbounded("ElapsedTime", m_ElapsedTime);
-		serializer.NumberFixed_Unbounded("CurrentPathElapsedTime", m_CurrentPathElapsedTime);
-		serializer.Bool("MapRevealed", m_MapRevealed);
+		serializer.Bool("IsPlayingPathQueue", m_IsPlayingPathQueue);
+		serializer.NumberFixed_Unbounded("QueueElapsedTime", m_QueuePlayingElapsedTime);
+		serializer.NumberFixed_Unbounded("CurrentPathElapsedTime", m_ActivePathElapsedTime);
+		serializer.Bool("WasMapRevealed", m_WasMapRevealed);
 
 		serializer.NumberU32_Unbounded("NumberOfPaths", m_Paths.size());
 		for (const std::pair<const CStrW, CCinemaPath>& it : m_Paths)
@@ -85,15 +85,15 @@ public:
 
 		serializer.NumberU32_Unbounded("NumberOfQueuedPaths", m_PathQueue.size());
 		for (const CCinemaPath& path : m_PathQueue)
-			serializer.String("PathName", path.GetName(), 1, 128);
+			serializer.String("QueuedPathName", path.GetName(), 1, 128);
 	}
 
 	void Deserialize(const CParamNode&, IDeserializer& deserializer) override
 	{
-		deserializer.Bool("Enabled", m_Enabled);
-		deserializer.NumberFixed_Unbounded("ElapsedTime", m_ElapsedTime);
-		deserializer.NumberFixed_Unbounded("CurrentPathElapsedTime", m_CurrentPathElapsedTime);
-		deserializer.Bool("MapRevealed", m_MapRevealed);
+		deserializer.Bool("IsPlayingPathQueue", m_IsPlayingPathQueue);
+		deserializer.NumberFixed_Unbounded("QueueElapsedTime", m_QueuePlayingElapsedTime);
+		deserializer.NumberFixed_Unbounded("CurrentPathElapsedTime", m_ActivePathElapsedTime);
+		deserializer.Bool("WasMapRevealed", m_WasMapRevealed);
 
 		uint32_t numberOfPaths = 0;
 		deserializer.NumberU32_Unbounded("NumberOfPaths", numberOfPaths);
@@ -108,55 +108,53 @@ public:
 		for (uint32_t i = 0; i < numberOfQueuedPaths; ++i)
 		{
 			CStrW pathName;
-			deserializer.String("PathName", pathName, 1, 128);
+			deserializer.String("QueuedPathName", pathName, 1, 128);
 			ENSURE(HasPath(pathName));
-			AddCinemaPathToQueue(pathName);
+			PushPathToQueue(pathName);
 		}
 
 		if (!m_PathQueue.empty())
 		{
-			m_PathQueue.front().m_TimeElapsed = m_CurrentPathElapsedTime.ToFloat();
+			m_PathQueue.front().m_TimeElapsed = m_ActivePathElapsedTime.ToFloat();
 			m_PathQueue.front().Validate();
 		}
-
-		SetEnabled(m_Enabled);
 	}
 
 	void HandleMessage(const CMessage& msg, bool /*global*/) override
 	{
 		switch (msg.GetType())
 		{
+		case MT_Deserialized:
+			if (!m_IsPlayingPathQueue)
+				break;
+
+			m_IsPlayingPathQueue = false;
+			StartPlayingQueue();
+			break;
 		case MT_Update:
 		{
 			const CMessageUpdate &msgData = static_cast<const CMessageUpdate&>(msg);
-			if (!m_Enabled)
+			if (!m_IsPlayingPathQueue)
 				break;
 
 			// The paths play at a fixed speed, no matter the sim rate.
 			// The turn length we have received here, however, is scaled by that rate.
 			const fixed realTurnLength{msgData.turnLength / fixed::FromFloat(g_Game ? g_Game->GetSimRate() : 1.0f)};
-			m_ElapsedTime += realTurnLength;
-			m_CurrentPathElapsedTime += realTurnLength;
-			if (m_CurrentPathElapsedTime >= m_PathQueue.front().GetDuration())
+			m_QueuePlayingElapsedTime += realTurnLength;
+			m_ActivePathElapsedTime += realTurnLength;
+			if (m_ActivePathElapsedTime >= m_PathQueue.front().GetDuration())
 			{
 				CMessageCinemaPathEnded msgCinemaPathEnded(m_PathQueue.front().GetName());
 				m_PathQueue.pop_front();
 				GetSimContext().GetComponentManager().PostMessage(SYSTEM_ENTITY, msgCinemaPathEnded);
-				m_CurrentPathElapsedTime = fixed::Zero();
+				m_ActivePathElapsedTime = fixed::Zero();
 
 				if (!m_PathQueue.empty())
 					m_PathQueue.front().Reset();
 			}
 
-			if (m_ElapsedTime >= m_TotalTime)
-			{
-				m_CurrentPathElapsedTime = fixed::Zero();
-				m_ElapsedTime = fixed::Zero();
-				m_TotalTime = fixed::Zero();
-				SetEnabled(false);
-				GetSimContext().GetComponentManager().PostMessage(SYSTEM_ENTITY, CMessageCinemaQueueEnded());
-			}
-
+			if (m_QueuePlayingElapsedTime >= m_PathQueueDuration)
+				StopPlayingQueue();
 			break;
 		}
 		default:
@@ -168,57 +166,28 @@ public:
 	{
 		if (m_Paths.find(path.GetName()) != m_Paths.end())
 		{
-			LOGWARNING("Path with name '%s' already exists", path.GetName().ToUTF8());
+			LOGWARNING("Cinema path with name '%s' already exists", path.GetName().ToUTF8());
 			return;
 		}
 		m_Paths[path.GetName()] = path;
 	}
 
-	void AddCinemaPathToQueue(const CStrW& name) override
-	{
-		if (!HasPath(name))
-		{
-			LOGWARNING("Path with name '%s' doesn't exist", name.ToUTF8());
-			return;
-		}
-		m_PathQueue.push_back(m_Paths[name]);
-
-		if (m_PathQueue.size() == 1)
-			m_PathQueue.front().Reset();
-		m_TotalTime += m_Paths[name].GetDuration();
-	}
-
-	void Play() override
-	{
-		SetEnabled(true);
-	}
-
-	void Stop() override
-	{
-		SetEnabled(false);
-	}
-
-	bool HasPath(const CStrW& name) const override
-	{
-		return m_Paths.find(name) != m_Paths.end();
-	}
-
-	void ClearQueue() override
-	{
-		m_PathQueue.clear();
-	}
-
 	void DeletePath(const CStrW& name) override
 	{
 		if (!HasPath(name))
 		{
-			LOGWARNING("Path with name '%s' doesn't exist", name.ToUTF8());
+			LOGWARNING("Cinema path with name '%s' doesn't exist", name.ToUTF8());
 			return;
 		}
 		m_PathQueue.remove_if([name](const CCinemaPath& path) { return path.GetName() == name; });
 		m_Paths.erase(name);
 	}
 
+	bool HasPath(const CStrW& name) const override
+	{
+		return m_Paths.find(name) != m_Paths.end();
+	}
+
 	const std::map<CStrW, CCinemaPath>& GetPaths() const override
 	{
 		return m_Paths;
@@ -229,41 +198,85 @@ public:
 		m_Paths = newPaths;
 	}
 
-	const std::list<CCinemaPath>& GetQueue() const override
+	void PushPathToQueue(const CStrW& name) override
 	{
-		return m_PathQueue;
+		if (!HasPath(name))
+		{
+			LOGWARNING("Cinema path with name '%s' doesn't exist", name.ToUTF8());
+			return;
+		}
+		m_PathQueue.push_back(m_Paths[name]);
+
+		if (m_PathQueue.size() == 1)
+			m_PathQueue.front().Reset();
+		m_PathQueueDuration += m_Paths[name].GetDuration();
 	}
 
-	bool IsEnabled() const override
+	void ClearQueue() override
 	{
-		return m_Enabled;
+		m_PathQueue.clear();
 	}
 
-	void SetEnabled(bool enabled) override
+	void StartPlayingQueue() override
 	{
-		if (m_PathQueue.empty() && enabled)
-			enabled = false;
-
-		if (m_Enabled == enabled)
+		if (m_IsPlayingPathQueue || m_PathQueue.empty())
 			return;
 
 		CmpPtr<ICmpRangeManager> cmpRangeManager(GetSimContext().GetSystemEntity());
 		if (cmpRangeManager)
 		{
-			if (enabled)
-				m_MapRevealed = cmpRangeManager->GetLosRevealWholeMapForAll();
-			// TODO: improve m_MapRevealed state and without fade in
-			cmpRangeManager->SetLosRevealWholeMapForAll(enabled);
+			m_WasMapRevealed = cmpRangeManager->GetLosRevealWholeMapForAll();
+			// Note: this results in all fogged entities seen during the cinema path being revealed/updated in FOW
+			// after the queue has ended.
+			cmpRangeManager->SetLosRevealWholeMapForAll(true);
 		}
 
-		m_Enabled = enabled;
+		m_IsPlayingPathQueue = true;
 	}
 
-	void PlayQueue(const float deltaRealTime, CCamera* camera) override
+	void StopPlayingQueue() override
 	{
-		if (m_PathQueue.empty())
+		if (!m_IsPlayingPathQueue)
 			return;
-		m_PathQueue.front().Play(deltaRealTime, camera);
+
+		CmpPtr<ICmpRangeManager> cmpRangeManager(GetSimContext().GetSystemEntity());
+		if (cmpRangeManager)
+			cmpRangeManager->SetLosRevealWholeMapForAll(m_WasMapRevealed);
+
+		GetSimContext().GetComponentManager().PostMessage(SYSTEM_ENTITY, CMessageCinemaQueueEnded());
+
+		m_ActivePathElapsedTime = fixed::Zero();
+		m_QueuePlayingElapsedTime = fixed::Zero();
+		m_PathQueueDuration = fixed::Zero();
+		for (const CCinemaPath& path : m_PathQueue)
+			m_PathQueueDuration += path.GetDuration();
+		m_IsPlayingPathQueue = false;
+	}
+
+	bool IsPlayingQueue() const override
+	{
+		return m_IsPlayingPathQueue;
+	}
+
+	void UpdateActivePath(const float deltaRealTime, CCamera* camera) override
+	{
+		if (m_IsPlayingPathQueue)
+		{
+			if (m_PathQueue.empty())
+				StopPlayingQueue();
+			else
+				m_PathQueue.front().Play(deltaRealTime, camera);
+		}
+	}
+
+	const CStrW GetActivePath() const override
+	{
+		return m_IsPlayingPathQueue ? m_PathQueue.front().GetName() : CStrW();
+	}
+
+	const fixed GetActivePathElapsedTime() const override
+	{
+		return m_ActivePathElapsedTime;
 	}
 
 private:
@@ -364,16 +377,22 @@ private:
 		return CCinemaPath(data, pathSpline, targetSpline);
 	}
 
-	bool m_Enabled;
+	bool m_IsPlayingPathQueue;
 	std::map<CStrW, CCinemaPath> m_Paths;
 	std::list<CCinemaPath> m_PathQueue;
+	fixed m_PathQueueDuration;
 
-	// States before playing
-	bool m_MapRevealed;
+	// Total time elapsed since starting to play the queue.
+	fixed m_QueuePlayingElapsedTime;
 
-	fixed m_ElapsedTime;
-	fixed m_TotalTime;
-	fixed m_CurrentPathElapsedTime;
+	// Time elapsed since the currently active path first started playing.
+	fixed m_ActivePathElapsedTime;
+
+	// Time elapsed since the
+	fixed m_QueueEndedElapsedTime;
+
+	// Whether the map was revealed before playing the queue.
+	bool m_WasMapRevealed;
 };
 
 REGISTER_COMPONENT_TYPE(CinemaManager)
diff --git a/source/simulation2/components/ICmpCinemaManager.cpp b/source/simulation2/components/ICmpCinemaManager.cpp
index f856730ad3..94f06a53a9 100644
--- a/source/simulation2/components/ICmpCinemaManager.cpp
+++ b/source/simulation2/components/ICmpCinemaManager.cpp
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* Copyright (C) 2025 Wildfire Games.
+/* Copyright (C) 2026 Wildfire Games.
  * This file is part of 0 A.D.
  *
  * 0 A.D. is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
@@ -24,9 +24,13 @@
 
 BEGIN_INTERFACE_WRAPPER(CinemaManager)
 DEFINE_INTERFACE_METHOD("AddPath", ICmpCinemaManager, AddPath)
-DEFINE_INTERFACE_METHOD("AddCinemaPathToQueue", ICmpCinemaManager, AddCinemaPathToQueue)
+DEFINE_INTERFACE_METHOD("HasPath", ICmpCinemaManager, HasPath)
 DEFINE_INTERFACE_METHOD("DeletePath", ICmpCinemaManager, DeletePath)
-DEFINE_INTERFACE_METHOD("IsPlaying", ICmpCinemaManager, IsEnabled)
-DEFINE_INTERFACE_METHOD("Play", ICmpCinemaManager, Play)
-DEFINE_INTERFACE_METHOD("Stop", ICmpCinemaManager, Stop)
+DEFINE_INTERFACE_METHOD("PushPathToQueue", ICmpCinemaManager, PushPathToQueue)
+DEFINE_INTERFACE_METHOD("ClearQueue", ICmpCinemaManager, ClearQueue)
+DEFINE_INTERFACE_METHOD("StartPlayingQueue", ICmpCinemaManager, StartPlayingQueue)
+DEFINE_INTERFACE_METHOD("IsPlayingQueue", ICmpCinemaManager, IsPlayingQueue)
+DEFINE_INTERFACE_METHOD("GetActivePath", ICmpCinemaManager, GetActivePath)
+DEFINE_INTERFACE_METHOD("GetActivePathElapsedTime", ICmpCinemaManager, GetActivePathElapsedTime)
+DEFINE_INTERFACE_METHOD("StopPlayingQueue", ICmpCinemaManager, StopPlayingQueue)
 END_INTERFACE_WRAPPER(CinemaManager)
diff --git a/source/simulation2/components/ICmpCinemaManager.h b/source/simulation2/components/ICmpCinemaManager.h
index 48e1b3d035..39937c5e36 100644
--- a/source/simulation2/components/ICmpCinemaManager.h
+++ b/source/simulation2/components/ICmpCinemaManager.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* Copyright (C) 2025 Wildfire Games.
+/* Copyright (C) 2026 Wildfire Games.
  * This file is part of 0 A.D.
  *
  * 0 A.D. is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
@@ -31,54 +31,83 @@ class CCinemaPath;
 class CStrW;
 
 /**
- * Component for CCinemaManager class
- * TODO: write description
+ * Manages a dynamic list of cinema paths (predefined camera movements/cutscenes) as well as a queue of paths that
+ * is played one by one on command to all players. Simulation messages are sent each time a path ends and also when
+ * the queue finishes as a whole.
  */
-
 class ICmpCinemaManager : public IComponent
 {
 public:
 	/**
-	* Adds the path to the path list
-	* @param CCinemaPath path data
+	* Register a new path.
+	* @param path path data
 	*/
 	virtual void AddPath(const CCinemaPath& path) = 0;
 
 	/**
-	* Adds the path to the playlist
-	* @param name path name
-	*/
-	virtual void AddCinemaPathToQueue(const CStrW& name) = 0;
-
-	virtual void Play() = 0;
-	virtual void Stop() = 0;
-	virtual void PlayQueue(const float deltaRealTime, CCamera* camera) = 0;
-
-	/**
-	* Checks the path name in the path list
-	* @param name path name
-	* @return true if path with that name exists, else false
-	*/
-	virtual bool HasPath(const CStrW& name) const = 0;
-
+	 * Remove a path and its data entirely.
+	 * @param name path name
+	 */
 	virtual void DeletePath(const CStrW& name) = 0;
 
 	/**
-	* Clears the playlist
+	* Check whether a path exists (is registered under the given name)..
+	* @param name path name
+	*/
+	virtual bool HasPath(const CStrW& name) const = 0;
+
+	/**
+	 * Get all registered paths, keyed by their names.
+	 */
+	virtual const std::map<CStrW, CCinemaPath>& GetPaths() const = 0;
+
+	/**
+	 * Override the entire list of existing paths.
+	 * @param newPaths new list of paths
+	 */
+	virtual void SetPaths(const std::map<CStrW, CCinemaPath>& newPaths) = 0;
+
+	/**
+	* Push a path to the back of the queue.
+	* @param name path name
+	*/
+	virtual void PushPathToQueue(const CStrW& name) = 0;
+
+	/**
+	* Clear all paths from the queue.
 	*/
 	virtual void ClearQueue() = 0;
 
-	virtual const std::map<CStrW, CCinemaPath>& GetPaths() const = 0;
-	virtual void SetPaths(const std::map<CStrW, CCinemaPath>& newPaths) = 0;
-	virtual const std::list<CCinemaPath>& GetQueue() const = 0;
-
-	virtual bool IsEnabled() const = 0;
+	/**
+	 * Start playing the paths in the queue one by one.
+	 */
+	virtual void StartPlayingQueue() = 0;
 
 	/**
-	* Sets enable state of the cinema manager (shows/hide gui, show/hide rings, etc)
-	* @param enable new state
-	*/
-	virtual void SetEnabled(bool enabled) = 0;
+	 * Stop playing the active path and the queue altogether.
+	 */
+	virtual void StopPlayingQueue() = 0;
+
+	/**
+	 * Whether the first path of the queue is being played at the moment.
+	 */
+	virtual bool IsPlayingQueue() const = 0;
+
+	/**
+	 * Send an update to the path currently playing for it to determine the new camera position.
+	 * Called every frame.
+	 */
+	virtual void UpdateActivePath(const float deltaRealTime, CCamera* camera) = 0;
+
+	/**
+	 * Get the name of the path currently playing, if any.
+	 */
+	virtual const CStrW GetActivePath() const = 0;
+
+	/**
+	 * Get the time elapsed since the currently active path started playing.
+	 */
+	virtual const fixed GetActivePathElapsedTime() const = 0;
 
 	DECLARE_INTERFACE_TYPE(CinemaManager)
 };
diff --git a/source/simulation2/components/tests/test_CinemaManager.h b/source/simulation2/components/tests/test_CinemaManager.h
index b2f7316166..8406fc599c 100644
--- a/source/simulation2/components/tests/test_CinemaManager.h
+++ b/source/simulation2/components/tests/test_CinemaManager.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* Copyright (C) 2025 Wildfire Games.
+/* Copyright (C) 2026 Wildfire Games.
  * This file is part of 0 A.D.
  *
  * 0 A.D. is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
@@ -37,33 +37,91 @@
 class TestCmpCinemaManager : public CxxTest::TestSuite
 {
 public:
-	void test_basic()
+	void test_managing_paths()
 	{
 		CXeromycesEngine xeromycesEngine;
 		ComponentTestHelper test(*g_ScriptContext);
 
 		ICmpCinemaManager* cmp = test.Add<ICmpCinemaManager>(CID_CinemaManager, "", SYSTEM_ENTITY);
 
-		TS_ASSERT_EQUALS(cmp->HasPath(L"test"), false);
+		TS_ASSERT(!cmp->HasPath(L"test"));
 		cmp->AddPath(generatePath(L"test"));
-		TS_ASSERT_EQUALS(cmp->HasPath(L"test"), true);
-		cmp->DeletePath(L"test");
-		TS_ASSERT_EQUALS(cmp->HasPath(L"test"), false);
+		TS_ASSERT(cmp->HasPath(L"test"));
+		TS_ASSERT(!cmp->HasPath(L"test_2"));
+		cmp->SetPaths(std::map<CStrW, CCinemaPath>{{L"test_2", generatePath(L"test_2")}});
+		TS_ASSERT(!cmp->HasPath(L"test"));
+		TS_ASSERT(cmp->HasPath(L"test_2"));
+		cmp->DeletePath(L"test_2");
+		TS_ASSERT(!cmp->HasPath(L"test_2"));
+	}
 
-		cmp->AddPath(generatePath(L"long_path", fixed::FromInt(3600)));
-		TS_ASSERT_EQUALS(cmp->HasPath(L"long_path"), true);
+	void test_playing_queue()
+	{
+		CXeromycesEngine xeromycesEngine;
+		ComponentTestHelper test(*g_ScriptContext);
 
-		TS_ASSERT_EQUALS(cmp->IsEnabled(), false);
-		cmp->AddCinemaPathToQueue(L"long_path");
-		cmp->Play();
-		size_t number_of_turns = 0;
-		while (cmp->IsEnabled())
+		ICmpCinemaManager* cmp = test.Add<ICmpCinemaManager>(CID_CinemaManager, "", SYSTEM_ENTITY);
+
+		CMessageUpdate updateMsg(fixed::FromInt(200));
+
+		cmp->AddPath(generatePath(L"path_1", fixed::FromInt(10000)));
+		cmp->AddPath(generatePath(L"path_2", fixed::FromInt(5000)));
+
+		// Try getting the active path if there is none.
+		TS_ASSERT_WSTR_EQUALS(cmp->GetActivePath(), L"");
+
+		// Try to start playing the queue if it's empty.
+		cmp->StartPlayingQueue();
+		TS_ASSERT(!cmp->IsPlayingQueue());
+
+		// Try stopping playing the queue if it's not playing in the first place.
+		cmp->StartPlayingQueue();
+		TS_ASSERT(!cmp->IsPlayingQueue());
+
+		cmp->PushPathToQueue(L"path_1");
+		cmp->PushPathToQueue(L"path_2");
+		// Try getting the active path if there is none.
+		TS_ASSERT_WSTR_EQUALS(cmp->GetActivePath(), L"");
+
+		cmp->StartPlayingQueue();
+		TS_ASSERT(cmp->IsPlayingQueue());
+		TS_ASSERT_WSTR_EQUALS(cmp->GetActivePath(), L"path_1");
+		TS_ASSERT_EQUALS(cmp->GetActivePathElapsedTime(), fixed::FromInt(0));
+
+		for (int i = 0; i < 35; i++)
+			cmp->HandleMessage(updateMsg, true);
+		TS_ASSERT(cmp->IsPlayingQueue());
+		TS_ASSERT_WSTR_EQUALS(cmp->GetActivePath(), L"path_1");
+		TS_ASSERT_EQUALS(cmp->GetActivePathElapsedTime(), fixed::FromInt(7000));
+
+		// Finish path_1 and start with path_2
+		for (int i = 0; i < 20; i++)
+			cmp->HandleMessage(updateMsg, true);
+
+		TS_ASSERT_WSTR_EQUALS(cmp->GetActivePath(), L"path_2");
+		TS_ASSERT_EQUALS(cmp->GetActivePathElapsedTime(), fixed::FromInt(1000));
+
+		// Try restarting while a path is being played.
+		// This should result in the active path starting again from the beginning.
+		cmp->StopPlayingQueue();
+		cmp->StartPlayingQueue();
+		TS_ASSERT(cmp->IsPlayingQueue());
+		TS_ASSERT_WSTR_EQUALS(cmp->GetActivePath(), L"path_2");
+
+		size_t remainingTurns = 0;
+		while (cmp->IsPlayingQueue())
 		{
-			CMessageUpdate msg(fixed::FromInt(36));
-			cmp->HandleMessage(msg, true);
-			++number_of_turns;
+			cmp->HandleMessage(updateMsg, true);
+			remainingTurns++;
 		}
-		TS_ASSERT_EQUALS(number_of_turns, 100);
+		TS_ASSERT_EQUALS(remainingTurns, 25);
+		TS_ASSERT(!cmp->IsPlayingQueue());
+		TS_ASSERT_WSTR_EQUALS(cmp->GetActivePath(), L"");
+		TS_ASSERT_EQUALS(cmp->GetActivePathElapsedTime(), fixed::FromInt(0));
+
+		// Make sure the queue is empty.
+		cmp->StartPlayingQueue();
+		TS_ASSERT(!cmp->IsPlayingQueue());
 	}
 
 private:
diff --git a/source/tools/atlas/GameInterface/Handlers/CameraCtrlHandlers.cpp b/source/tools/atlas/GameInterface/Handlers/CameraCtrlHandlers.cpp
index 4da50115da..4028483a00 100644
--- a/source/tools/atlas/GameInterface/Handlers/CameraCtrlHandlers.cpp
+++ b/source/tools/atlas/GameInterface/Handlers/CameraCtrlHandlers.cpp
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* Copyright (C) 2025 Wildfire Games.
+/* Copyright (C) 2026 Wildfire Games.
  * This file is part of 0 A.D.
  *
  * 0 A.D. is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ namespace AtlasMessage {
 
 MESSAGEHANDLER(CameraReset)
 {
-	if (!g_Game || g_Game->GetView()->GetCinema()->IsEnabled())
+	if (!g_Game || g_Game->GetView()->GetCinema()->IsPlaying())
 		return;
 
 	CVector3D focus = g_Game->GetView()->GetCamera()->GetFocus();
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ MESSAGEHANDLER(CameraReset)
 
 MESSAGEHANDLER(ScrollConstant)
 {
-	if (!g_Game || g_Game->GetView()->GetCinema()->IsEnabled())
+	if (!g_Game || g_Game->GetView()->GetCinema()->IsPlaying())
 		return;
 
 	if (msg->dir < 0 || msg->dir > 5)
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ MESSAGEHANDLER(ScrollConstant)
 
 MESSAGEHANDLER(Scroll)
 {
-	if (!g_Game || g_Game->GetView()->GetCinema()->IsEnabled()) // TODO: do this better (probably a separate AtlasView class for cinematics)
+	if (!g_Game || g_Game->GetView()->GetCinema()->IsPlaying()) // TODO: do this better (probably a separate AtlasView class for cinematics)
 		return;
 
 	static CVector3D targetPos;
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ MESSAGEHANDLER(Scroll)
 
 MESSAGEHANDLER(SmoothZoom)
 {
-	if (!g_Game || g_Game->GetView()->GetCinema()->IsEnabled())
+	if (!g_Game || g_Game->GetView()->GetCinema()->IsPlaying())
 		return;
 
 	g_AtlasGameLoop->input.zoomDelta += msg->amount;
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ MESSAGEHANDLER(SmoothZoom)
 
 MESSAGEHANDLER(RotateAround)
 {
-	if (!g_Game || g_Game->GetView()->GetCinema()->IsEnabled())
+	if (!g_Game || g_Game->GetView()->GetCinema()->IsPlaying())
 		return;
 
 	static CVector3D focusPos;
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ QUERYHANDLER(GetView)
 
 MESSAGEHANDLER(SetView)
 {
-	if (!g_Game || g_Game->GetView()->GetCinema()->IsEnabled())
+	if (!g_Game || g_Game->GetView()->GetCinema()->IsPlaying())
 		return;
 
 	CGameView* view = g_Game->GetView();
diff --git a/source/tools/atlas/GameInterface/Handlers/CinemaHandler.cpp b/source/tools/atlas/GameInterface/Handlers/CinemaHandler.cpp
index 50a7d9ac25..b5a03689f5 100644
--- a/source/tools/atlas/GameInterface/Handlers/CinemaHandler.cpp
+++ b/source/tools/atlas/GameInterface/Handlers/CinemaHandler.cpp
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* Copyright (C) 2025 Wildfire Games.
+/* Copyright (C) 2026 Wildfire Games.
  * This file is part of 0 A.D.
  *
  * 0 A.D. is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ MESSAGEHANDLER(CinemaEvent)
 
 	if (msg->mode == eCinemaEventMode::SMOOTH)
 	{
-		cmpCinemaManager->AddCinemaPathToQueue(*msg->path);
+		cmpCinemaManager->PushPathToQueue(*msg->path);
 	}
 	else if ( msg->mode == eCinemaEventMode::RESET )
 	{