Segment Information - Information On Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 subscription		Sep. 30, 2013 subscription		Sep. 30, 2014 subscription		Sep. 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	$ 1,409,432		$ 1,105,999		$ 4,019,928		$ 3,199,332
Cost of revenues	954,394		798,900		2,738,428		2,296,526
Marketing	145,654		108,228		403,515		341,925
Contribution profit (loss)	309,384		198,871		877,985		560,881
Other operating expenses	198,977		141,751		540,383		414,822
Operating income	110,407		57,120		337,602		146,059
Other income (expense)	(12,870)		(7,629)		(33,749)		(48,989)
Provision for income taxes	38,242		17,669		120,425		33,088
Net income	59,295		31,822		183,428		63,982
Amortization of content library	704,423		570,940		1,977,239		1,602,876
Total content library, net	4,638,863				4,638,863				3,797,492
Domestic Streaming [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total members at end of period	37,219,000	[1]	31,092,000	[1]	37,219,000	[1]	31,092,000	[1]
Revenues	877,150		701,083		2,513,992		2,010,821
Cost of revenues	565,251		473,965		1,628,568		1,366,897
Marketing	61,045		60,637		206,030		194,779
Contribution profit (loss)	250,854		166,481		679,394		449,145
Amortization of content library	433,266		363,787		1,229,477		1,043,976
Total content library, net	3,334,646				3,334,646				2,973,023
International Streaming [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total members at end of period	15,843,000	[1]	9,188,000	[1]	15,843,000	[1]	9,188,000	[1]
Revenues	345,685		183,051		920,264		490,972
Cost of revenues	291,942		209,811		803,906		561,103
Marketing	84,609		47,537		197,485		146,919
Contribution profit (loss)	(30,866)		(74,297)		(81,127)		(217,050)
Amortization of content library	252,888		189,607		696,449		505,408
Total content library, net	1,276,686				1,276,686				804,690
Domestic DVD [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total members at end of period	5,986,000	[1]	7,148,000	[1]	5,986,000	[1]	7,148,000	[1]
Revenues	186,597		221,865		585,672		697,539
Cost of revenues	97,201		115,124		305,954		368,526
Marketing	0		54		0		227
Contribution profit (loss)	89,396		106,687		279,718		328,786
Amortization of content library	18,269		17,546		51,313		53,492
Total content library, net	$ 27,531				$ 27,531				$ 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 is canceled and ceases to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the prepaid membership period, while involuntary cancellation of the service, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomes effective immediately.