<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-02-04</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001098016</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GENIUS PRODUCTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GNPI.OB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001317404</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Pompan Bruce L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O GENIUS PRODUCTS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>740 LOMAS SANTA FE, SUITE 210</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SOLANA BEACH,</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92075</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Warrant</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>2.50</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-03-24</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-03-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>665000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The warrant became exercisable as to 500,000 shares immediately, with the remainder becoming exercisable as to 100,000 shares per month commencing on August 24, 2004 and continuing for fifteen months.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Pursuant to an engagement letter between Genius Products, Inc. and Cappello Capital Corporation, Genius Products, Inc. has agreed to issue a warrant for 2,000,000 shares of common stock.  The principals of Cappello Capital Corporation intend to divide the warrant so that the reporting person will receive the right to acquire 665,000 shares.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Bruce L. Pompan</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-02-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
