Segment Information Operating Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 97,531	$ 147,003	$ 232,574	$ 287,295
Other income	416	5,726	7,989	6,070
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	8,413	9,011	16,809	18,902
Revenues	106,360	161,740	257,372	312,267
Property operating expense	15,329	14,597	28,422	30,148
Other expense	2,798	8,091	12,332	8,091
Total investment expenses	18,127	22,688	40,754	38,239
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	88,233	139,052	216,618	274,028
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(10,432)	(12,230)	(21,420)	(23,940)
Severance Costs	0	0	0	(420)
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost	(820)	0	(820)	0
Interest expense, net	(38,340)	(36,458)	(73,093)	(70,421)
Transaction costs	(771)	(6,923)	(1,846)	(12,046)
Financing Receivable, Credit Loss, Expense (Reversal)	(3,484)	0	(4,676)	0
Asset Impairment Charges	(51,264)	0	(51,264)	0
Depreciation and amortization	(42,450)	(38,790)	(86,260)	(74,792)
Equity in loss from joint ventures	(1,724)	470	(2,144)	959
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment	(3,247)	0	(3,247)	0
Gain on sale of real estate	22	0	242	(388)
Income tax benefit (expense)	1,312	1,300	2,063	1,905
Income from discontinued operations before other items	0	10,399	0	20,568
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Real Estate, Discontinued Operations	0	9,774	0	16,490
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	(62,965)	66,594	(25,847)	131,943
Preferred dividend requirements	(6,034)	(6,034)	(12,068)	(12,068)
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	(68,999)	60,560	(37,915)	119,875
Experiential Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	84,204	129,271	202,864	253,287
Other income	8	5,423	7,213	5,494
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	8,108	8,761	16,152	18,129
Revenues	92,320	143,455	226,229	276,910
Property operating expense	14,514	13,488	26,843	27,936
Other expense	2,798	8,091	12,332	8,091
Total investment expenses	17,312	21,579	39,175	36,027
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	75,008	121,876	187,054	240,883
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	13,327	17,732	29,710	34,008
Other income	0	0	0	0
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	305	250	657	773
Revenues	13,632	17,982	30,367	34,781
Property operating expense	628	882	1,169	1,752
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	628	882	1,169	1,752
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	13,004	17,100	29,198	33,029
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0	0	0
Other income	408	303	776	576
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	0	0	0	0
Revenues	408	303	776	576
Property operating expense	187	227	410	460
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	187	227	410	460
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ 221	$ 76	$ 366	$ 116