Cinematic Zoom (Fabric)
by Mel1x
Cinematic Zoom adds a hold-to-zoom key with smooth per-frame easing and animated black bars for Fabric and Quilt.
What it does
Holding the zoom key, C by default and rebindable, narrows the field of view with per-frame smoothing, so the zoom does not step at the game's tick rate. Black bars can animate across the top and bottom of the screen, and their height is configurable. The mouse wheel can adjust the zoom level while the key is held, and the HUD and crosshair can be hidden during zoom.
Only the client needs the mod, so a player can use it on a single-player world or on any multiplayer server without the server installing it. Cinematic Zoom requires Fabric API. Cloth Config API and Mod Menu are optional; Mod Menu adds an entry for in-game settings. The mod is released under the MIT License and is open source, and files are published for Fabric and Quilt, with builds running 1.20.1 – 26.3.
Key features
Hold-to-zoom key
A zoom key is held to zoom in and released to return, and the key can be rebound in the controls menu.
Per-frame easing
The zoom eases every frame instead of jumping between ticks, which keeps the motion smooth.
Animated black bars
Letterbox bars slide in at the top and bottom of the screen while zooming, with a configurable height.
Mouse wheel control
An optional setting lets the mouse wheel change the zoom amount while the zoom key is held.
Hidden HUD and crosshair
Optional settings hide the HUD and crosshair during zoom, and a cinematic camera toggle smooths camera motion.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
26.x5 of 5 versions with builds
1.21.x11 of 11 versions with builds
1.20.x1 of 1 version with builds
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Required 1
Optional 2
Use cases
Filming and screenshots
Players recording footage or taking framed screenshots can zoom in without changing the game's resolution.
Showing distant builds
A zoomed view helps show details of a far-off structure before walking closer.
Who it’s for: Players who record gameplay, take screenshots, or prefer a cinematic view, and players who use Fabric or Quilt with Fabric API installed.
How it compares
CinemaZoom is a Fabric mod for 1.21.1 with the same client-only environment, and it is open source under the MIT License. Smooth Zooming is Fabric only for 1.21.4 – 1.21.11 and is not open source. ZoomHehe covers 1.21.11 – 26.3 under the MIT License but is not open source, so it is a fit for newer builds only.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinematic Zoom (Fabric) | Fabric and Quilt | 1.20.1 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-10-08 |
| CinemaZoom | Fabric | 1.21.1 | Client-side only | 2026-07-22 |
| Smooth Zooming | Fabric | 1.21.4 – 1.21.11 | Client-side only | 2026-07-13 |
| ZoomHehe | Fabric | 1.21.11 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-09-30 |
Questions
Does Cinematic Zoom need Fabric API?
Does the server need Cinematic Zoom?
Which game versions are covered?
In the catalog
Cinematic Zoom (Fabric) is one of 29,952 Game mechanics mods on ModsFinder, and one of 19,630 Game mechanics mods for Fabric. 8,071 mods support Minecraft 26.3.
More from Mel1x
Similar mods
What the author says
Smooth, cinematic zoom for Minecraft with animated black bars, per-frame easing, and optional mouse wheel control. Built for Fabric 1.20.1-26.3. Original concept and name credit to KubePixel. If you’re on Forge 1.20.1/1.21.1, check out their original mod here:.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/cinematic-zoom-fabric
- Owner
- Mel1x
- Published
- 2025-08-08
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-10-08
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15