Earnings Per Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations									$ 102,563	$ 117,233	$ 34,524
Less: preferred dividend requirements and redemption costs									(30,909)	(30,206)	(30,206)
Noncontrolling interest adjustments									(38)	(86)	(230)
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders									71,616	86,941	4,088
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic									46,640	45,206	36,122
Income from continuing operations, per basic share (in dollars per share)									$ 1.54	$ 1.92	$ 0.12
Income (loss) from discontinued operations									12,703	(4,178)	(46,430)
Noncontrolling interest adjustment, discontinued operations										1,905	20,143
Income (loss) from discontinued operations available to common shareholders									12,703	(2,273)	(26,287)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, per basic share (in dollars per share)									$ 0.27	$ (0.05)	$ (0.73)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders of Entertainment Properties Trust									84,319	84,668	(22,199)
Earnings per share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.68	$ 0.55	$ (0.16)	$ 0.73	$ 0.57	$ 0.59	$ 0.18	$ 0.53	$ 1.81	$ 1.87	$ (0.61)
Share options, shares									261	349	113
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders, diluted									71,616	86,941	4,088
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted									46,901	45,555	36,235
Income from continuing operations, per diluted share (in dollars per share)									$ 1.53	$ 1.91	$ 0.12
Income (loss) from discontinuing operation available to common stockholders, diluted									12,703	(2,273)	(26,287)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, per diluted share (in dollars per share)									$ 0.27	$ (0.05)	$ (0.73)
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted									$ 84,319	$ 84,668	$ (22,199)
Earnings per share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.68	$ 0.55	$ (0.16)	$ 0.73	$ 0.57	$ 0.58	$ 0.18	$ 0.52	$ 1.80	$ 1.86	$ (0.61)