Balance Sheet Components (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012 Y M
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
License agreement, payment terms minimum (months)	6
License agreement, payment terms maximum (years)	5
Increase in non-current streaming content liabilities	$ 631.8
Increase Decrease In Content Library	$ 757.2

Increase In Content Accounts Payable And Non-Current Content Liabilities

No definition available.

Name:	nflx_IncreaseInContentAccountsPayableAndNonCurrentContentLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	nflx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration