Segment Information - Information On Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014 subscription		Jun. 30, 2013 subscription		Jun. 30, 2014 subscription		Jun. 30, 2013 subscription		Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total members at end of period	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Revenues	$ 1,340,407		$ 1,069,372		$ 2,610,496		$ 2,093,333
Cost of revenues	914,848		760,674		1,784,034		1,497,626
Marketing	120,763		114,611		257,861		233,697
Contribution profit (loss)	304,796		194,087		568,601		362,010
Other operating expenses	175,196		136,970		341,406		273,071
Operating income	129,600		57,117		227,195		88,939
Other income (expense)	(12,228)		(10,468)		(20,879)		(41,360)
Provision for income taxes	46,354		17,178		82,183		15,419
Net income	71,018		29,471		124,133		32,160
Amortization of content library	655,960		527,959		1,272,816		1,031,936
Total content library, net	4,135,137				4,135,137				3,797,492
Domestic Streaming [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total members at end of period	36,244,000	[1]	29,807,000	[1]	36,244,000	[1]	29,807,000	[1]
Revenues	838,225		671,089		1,636,842		1,309,738
Cost of revenues	546,223		452,598		1,063,317		892,932
Marketing	64,727		67,177		144,985		134,142
Contribution profit (loss)	227,275		151,314		428,540		282,664
Amortization of content library	409,896		344,441		796,211		680,189
Total content library, net	3,196,275				3,196,275				2,973,023
International Streaming [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total members at end of period	13,801,000	[1]	7,747,000	[1]	13,801,000	[1]	7,747,000	[1]
Revenues	307,461		165,902		574,579		307,921
Cost of revenues	266,697		184,400		511,964		351,292
Marketing	56,036		47,335		112,876		99,382
Contribution profit (loss)	(15,272)		(65,833)		(50,261)		(142,753)
Amortization of content library	229,141		165,809		443,561		315,801
Total content library, net	914,239				914,239				804,690
Domestic DVD [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total members at end of period	6,261,000	[1]	7,508,000	[1]	6,261,000	[1]	7,508,000	[1]
Revenues	194,721		232,381		399,075		475,674
Cost of revenues	101,928		123,676		208,753		253,402
Marketing	0		99		0		173
Contribution profit (loss)	92,793		108,606		190,322		222,099
Amortization of content library	16,923		17,709		33,044		35,946
Total content library, net	$ 24,623				$ 24,623				$ 19,779

[1] A membership (also referred to as a subscription) is defined as the right to receive either the Netflix streaming service or Netflix DVD service. Memberships are assigned to territories based on the geographic location used at time of sign up as determined by the Company's internal systems, which utilize industry standard geo-location technology. The Company offers free-trial memberships to new and certain rejoining members. For inclusion in the definition of a member in the above metrics, a method of payment is required to be provided even during the free-trial period. Total members therefore include those who are on a free-trial and have provided a method of payment. A membership would be canceled and cease to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the monthly membership period, while involuntary cancellation of the service, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomes effective immediately.