Segment Information - Information On Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income (Details) subscription in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) subscription	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) subscription	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) subscription	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) subscription
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]
Revenues		$ 2,984,859	$ 2,290,188	$ 8,406,958	$ 6,353,128
Cost of revenues		1,992,980	1,532,844	5,552,312	4,375,482
Marketing		312,490	282,043	858,083	706,082
Contribution profit		679,389	475,301	1,996,563	1,271,564
Other operating expenses		470,762	369,265	1,403,187	1,045,705
Operating income		208,627	106,036	593,376	225,859
Other income (expense)		(92,390)	(26,909)	(239,385)	(55,621)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		(13,353)	27,610	(19,421)	50,308
Net income		129,590	51,517	373,412	119,930
Amortization of content assets		$ 1,640,736	$ 1,243,392	$ 4,532,322	$ 3,517,736
Domestic Streaming
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]	52,772	47,497	52,772	47,497
Revenues		$ 1,547,210	$ 1,304,333	$ 4,522,751	$ 3,673,845
Cost of revenues		864,408	720,658	2,445,858	2,094,310
Marketing		128,901	108,495	357,547	277,243
Contribution profit		553,901	475,180	1,719,346	1,302,292
Amortization of content assets		$ 727,832	$ 597,039	$ 2,033,268	$ 1,709,168
International Streaming
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]	56,476	39,246	56,476	39,246
Revenues		$ 1,327,435	$ 853,480	$ 3,538,862	$ 2,263,429
Cost of revenues		1,081,485	748,515	2,946,414	2,076,576
Marketing		183,589	173,548	500,536	428,839
Contribution profit		62,361	(68,583)	91,912	(241,986)
Amortization of content assets		$ 899,645	$ 627,069	$ 2,450,686	$ 1,748,822
Domestic DVD
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]	3,569	4,273	3,569	4,273
Revenues		$ 110,214	$ 132,375	$ 345,345	$ 415,854
Cost of revenues		47,087	63,671	160,040	204,596
Marketing		0	0	0	0
Contribution profit		63,127	68,704	185,305	211,258
Amortization of content assets		$ 13,259	$ 19,284	$ 48,368	$ 59,746

[1] A membership (also referred to as a subscription) 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.