Segment Information - Information On Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income (Details) subscription in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) subscription	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) subscription	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) subscription	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) subscription
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]	0	0	0	0
Revenues		$ 2,785,464	$ 2,105,204	$ 5,422,099	$ 4,062,940
Cost of revenues		1,902,308	1,473,098	3,559,332	2,842,638
Marketing		274,323	216,029	545,593	424,039
Contribution profit (loss)		608,833	416,077	1,317,174	796,263
Other operating expenses		481,026	345,707	932,425	676,440
Operating income		127,807	70,370	384,749	119,823
Other income (expense)		(113,845)	(19,138)	(146,995)	(28,712)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(51,638)	10,477	(6,068)	22,698
Net income		65,600	40,755	243,822	68,413
Amortization of content assets		$ 1,567,305	$ 1,195,382	$ 2,891,586	$ 2,274,344
Domestic Streaming
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]	51,921	47,129	51,921	47,129
Revenues		$ 1,505,499	$ 1,208,271	$ 2,975,541	$ 2,369,512
Cost of revenues		831,962	707,106	1,581,450	1,373,652
Marketing		113,608	86,806	228,646	168,748
Contribution profit (loss)		559,929	414,359	1,165,445	827,112
Amortization of content assets		$ 696,688	$ 581,390	$ 1,305,436	$ 1,112,129
International Streaming
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]	52,031	36,048	52,031	36,048
Revenues		$ 1,165,228	$ 758,201	$ 2,211,427	$ 1,409,949
Cost of revenues		1,017,612	698,162	1,864,929	1,328,061
Marketing		160,715	129,223	316,947	255,291
Contribution profit (loss)		(13,099)	(69,184)	29,551	(173,403)
Amortization of content assets		$ 854,106	$ 593,971	$ 1,551,041	$ 1,121,753
Domestic DVD
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]	3,758	4,530	3,758	4,530
Revenues		$ 114,737	$ 138,732	$ 235,131	$ 283,479
Cost of revenues		52,734	67,830	112,953	140,925
Marketing		0	0	0	0
Contribution profit (loss)		62,003	70,902	122,178	142,554
Amortization of content assets		$ 16,511	$ 20,021	$ 35,109	$ 40,462

[1] A membership (also referred to as a subscription or a member) is defined as the right to receive Netflix service following sign-up and a method of payment being provided. 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 certain new and rejoining members. Total members include those who are on a free-trial as long as a method of payment has been provided. 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.