Cornell Cinema screens 75+ films/videos each semester, many of them shown in conjunction with academic courses. Each semester-long schedule includes an array of classic Hollywood and foreign films, documentaries, recent international cinema, silent films with live musical accompaniment, cult classics, experimental work, and recent Hollywood and arthouse hits, in addition to guest appearances by visiting filmmakers. Many films are introduced by faculty or graduate students, and some are followed by faculty panel discussions and/or receptions.

Films are arranged in thematic series organized as overviews of national and minority cinemas, explorations of contemporary topics, director and actor retrospectives, genre series, new digital restorations and more. Films are also shown in conjunction with conferences & symposia held on campus.

Twenty to thirty guest filmmakers and other speakers attend Cornell Cinema screenings each year, introducing and discussing their work, providing audience members an opportunity to engage directly with them. Some of these visitors are invited to campus by sponsoring departments and programs, and Cornell Cinema provides a high-quality screening facility for their visits.