Segment Information - Information On Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income (Details) subscription in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) subscription	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) subscription
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]
Revenues		$ 3,700,856	$ 2,636,635
Cost of revenues		2,196,075	1,657,024
Marketing		479,222	271,270
Contribution profit		1,025,559	708,341
Other operating expenses		578,981	451,399
Operating income		446,578	256,942
Other income (expense)		(146,962)	(33,150)
Provision for income taxes		9,492	45,570
Net income		290,124	178,222
Amortization of content assets		$ 1,759,978	$ 1,324,281
Domestic Streaming
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]	56,705	50,854
Revenues		$ 1,820,019	$ 1,470,042
Cost of revenues		894,873	749,488
Marketing		228,022	115,038
Contribution profit		697,124	605,516
Amortization of content assets		$ 730,272	$ 608,748
International Streaming
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]	68,290	47,894
Revenues		$ 1,782,086	$ 1,046,199
Cost of revenues		1,258,809	847,317
Marketing		251,200	156,232
Contribution profit		272,077	42,650
Amortization of content assets		$ 1,018,572	$ 696,935
Domestic DVD
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total memberships at end of period | subscription	[1]	3,167	3,944
Revenues		$ 98,751	$ 120,394
Cost of revenues		42,393	60,219
Marketing		0	0
Contribution profit		56,358	60,175
Amortization of content assets		$ 11,134	$ 18,598

[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.