Peephole Cinema

Movie theater · La Lengua

Peephole Cinema

Movie theater · La Lengua

1

280 Orange Alley, San Francisco, CA 94110

Photos

Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by Map Data © 2017 Google.
Peephole Cinema by atlasobscura 12a8fb34 (Atlas Obscura User)
Peephole Cinema by Britta Shoot (Atlas Obscura User)
Peephole Cinema by ermadrid/Used with Permission
Peephole Cinema by Map Data © 2017 Google.
Peephole Cinema by Peephole Cinema/Used with Permission
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null
Peephole Cinema by null

Highlights

Silent film shorts viewed through a small hole in the wall  

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280 Orange Alley, San Francisco, CA 94110 Get directions

peepholecinema.com
@peepholecinemas

Information

Static Map

280 Orange Alley, San Francisco, CA 94110 Get directions

peepholecinema.com
@peepholecinemas
𝕏
@PeepholeCinema

Features

restroom
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Aug 17, 2025

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@atlasobscura

The World's Top 100 Wonders in 2018

"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 if you don’t know it’s there. A small sign with an eye on it dangles down from a red wall. Beneath it, you’ll find the peephole accompanied by a small list of the films being shown. There aren’t any other signposts, so 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 September 2021: Temporarily closed. Check before you go." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/top-100-wonders-2018
View Postcard for Peephole Cinema

Mike Kirk

Google
Cool little hole in the wall.

Wandering Dove

Google
This is a clever idea. The video is simple and short. It's worth a stop if you are in the area.

Dana Hall

Google
Visited this late at night when I heard about it from a visiting artist from Mexico. Funny how someone visiting told us about something new in our own neighborhood of ten years! Really fun experience being in the alley and finding this mini silent cinema. I’m not really sure who the haters are that reviewed this poorly. Art like this is generous.

DeeDee

Google
Cool peephole movies in an allley. True SF

Danny S

Google
(Warning: young adults from Central Florida in for vacation) Atlas Obscura led us here. It’s as simple as that. YOU ENTER AN ALLEY, look for the ‘Peephole Cinema’ sign as well as another small sign listing the current videos, and you know you’re in the right area. Now look through the peephole to view the STRANGE, SILENT VIDEO IS ON THE OTHER SIDE. The videos are short and seemed very much like something that would play on repeat at a college art showcase. We were the only ones there, but a homeless-looking guy did pass us, gave short attention to the little Lady of Guadalupe shrine behind us in the same alley, and walked on. The entire area had a SLIGHT URINE SMELL to it.

A B

Google
Stopped by after reading about this on Atlas Obscura. Worth a walk-by for the novelty.

Kai Bansner

Google
the screen’s a little small and the seat is uncomfortable

Zach

Google
Bit over hyped.
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Mark W.

Yelp
Obscure spot located in an alley that shows silent short films, what isn't to like? Well worth the trip although there's not much to see, it's a great conversation piece
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Stefan T.

Yelp
The 24 hour Peephole Cinema is dark for the year. The sign was taken down and you can peep all you want - there is nothing to see anymore as of 12/12/22. Covid seemed to have killed this art installation. One of the countless victims. I suppose they didn't want the usual crowds of people all pushing and shoving and peeping and spreading germs. If dark alleys are your thing you can still feel free to wander down and see the sad little sight. I am now confident that the only good thing to come of covid was the reintroduction of Dunkaroos.
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Steve F.

Yelp
What a nice little unassuming, unexpected artful treat. A rotating collection of curated animated shorts running on a continual 24 hour loop. Located in a clean neighborhood alley and certainly worth a visit if you're in the area.