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All the United States California San Francisco Peephole Cinema
AO Edited

Peephole Cinema

A tiny theater hidden in an alley plays a constant stream of short silent films for anyone willing to peer through the peephole.

San Francisco, California

Added By
Holly Prz
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Peephole Cinema.   ermadrid/Used with Permission
Peephole Cinema.   Peephole Cinema/Used with Permission
  Britta Shoot / Atlas Obscura User
still closed as of 6/5/23   erikagryniewicz / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Peephole Cinema.   Map Data © 2017 Google.
Closed as of May 30, 2022   atlasobscura 12a8fb34 / Atlas Obscura User
Peephole Cinema.   Map Data © 2017 Google.
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About

Hidden in an alley in the heart of San Francisco's Mission District lies a literal hole in the wall theater. Peeking inside the small peephole reveals a cinema that plays a constant stream of silent film vignettes.

Those willing to crouch down and crane their necks to peer into the small hole will be rewarded with an endless loop of short films. These short films and animations run all day and night, so come any time and enjoy this little gem the Mission District has to offer.

Peephole Cinema is easy to miss — there is no sign or marker. Most people stumble across the peephole by chance or find it via word of mouth.

The small theater is the work of Laurie O'Brien, who created the Peephole Cinema in 2013 as a novel way to showcase films. O’Brien, who was originally trained as an animator, wanted to find a way to bring animations to a wider audience. She has also installed other similar cinemas in the Brooklyn and Los Angeles. She recently put one in San Francisco's airport.

Update as of July 2024:  Still running, even though accompanying plaque says they’re on hiatus due to COVID. 

Related Tags

Theaters Art Walls Alleyways Film

Know Before You Go

Although films run at all times, any alley can seem ominous at night so it's best to go during lighted hours.

Community Contributors

Added By

Holly Prz

Edited By

SEANETTA, Laurynn, erikagryniewicz, lynnlklein...

  • SEANETTA
  • Laurynn
  • erikagryniewicz
  • lynnlklein
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • Britta Shoot
  • atlasobscura 12a8fb34
  • traceyjaynne

Published

November 27, 2017

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Sources
  • https://missionlocal.org/2016/03/peephole-cinema-in-sfs-orange-alley-offers-tiny-viewing-experience/
  • https://www.alterspace.gallery/exhibits/laurie-obrien-peephole-gallery.html
  • http://www.sfgate.com/art/article/Seek-and-ye-shall-peep-Size-matters-at-Peephole-7234559.php
Peephole Cinema
280 Orange Alley
San Francisco, California
United States
37.749234, -122.419913
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