Segment Information Operating Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 55,591	$ 150,962	$ 288,165	$ 438,257
Other income	182	11,464	8,171	17,534
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	8,104	6,930	24,913	25,832
Revenues	63,877	169,356	321,249	481,623
Property operating expense	13,759	14,494	42,181	44,642
Other expense	2,680	11,403	15,012	19,494
Total investment expenses	16,439	25,897	57,193	64,136
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	47,438	143,459	264,056	417,487
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(10,034)	(11,600)	(31,454)	(35,540)
Severance Costs	0	(1,521)	0	(1,941)
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost	0	(38,269)	(820)	(38,269)
Interest expense, net	(41,744)	(36,667)	(114,837)	(107,088)
Transaction costs	(2,776)	(5,959)	(4,622)	(18,005)
Financing Receivable, Credit Loss, Expense (Reversal)	(5,707)	0	(10,383)	0
Asset Impairment Charges	(11,561)	0	(62,825)	0
Depreciation and amortization	(42,059)	(41,644)	(128,319)	(116,436)
Equity in loss (income) from joint ventures	(1,044)	(435)	(3,188)	524
Impairment charges on joint ventures	0	0	(3,247)	0
Gain on sale of real estate	0	845	242	457
Income tax benefit (expense)	(18,417)	600	(16,354)	2,505
Income from discontinued operations before other items	0	11,736	0	32,304
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Real Estate, Discontinued Operations	0	13,458	0	29,948
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	(85,904)	34,003	(111,751)	165,946
Preferred dividend requirements	(6,034)	(6,034)	(18,102)	(18,102)
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic	(91,938)	27,969	(129,853)	147,844
Experiential Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	40,270	133,620	243,134	386,907
Other income	14	11,190	7,227	16,684
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	7,761	6,620	23,913	24,749
Revenues	48,045	151,430	274,274	428,340
Property operating expense	13,011	13,338	39,854	41,274
Other expense	2,680	11,403	15,012	19,494
Total investment expenses	15,691	24,741	54,866	60,768
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	32,354	126,689	219,408	367,572
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	15,321	17,342	45,031	51,350
Other income	13	0	13	0
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	343	310	1,000	1,083
Revenues	15,677	17,652	46,044	52,433
Property operating expense	550	937	1,719	2,689
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	550	937	1,719	2,689
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	15,127	16,715	44,325	49,744
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0	0	0
Other income	155	274	931	850
Interest and Fee Income, Loans, Commercial and Residential, Real Estate	0	0	0	0
Revenues	155	274	931	850
Property operating expense	198	219	608	679
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	198	219	608	679
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ (43)	$ 55	$ 323	$ 171