Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 134,648		$ 136,084
Costs of revenues	85,521		96,500
Gross profit	49,127	[1]	39,584	[1]
Product development	963		1,134
Selling, general and administrative expenses	42,789		27,465
Operating income	5,375		10,985
Interest income, net	863		568
Other income, net	992		2,516
(Increase) decrease in income tax benefit payable to former stockholder	(698)		109
Income before income taxes	6,532		14,178
Provision for income taxes	418		5,104
Net income	6,114		9,074
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	537		0
Net income attributable to DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc	$ 5,577		$ 9,074
Net income per share of common stock attributable to DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07		$ 0.11
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07		$ 0.11
Shares used in computing net income per share
Basic (in shares)	84,671		83,953
Diluted (in shares)	85,265		84,842

[1] The Company defines segment profit as segment revenues less segment costs of revenues ("segment gross profit"). The Company's segment gross profit is equivalent to total gross profit as presented on the consolidated statements of income, which includes a reconciliation to consolidated income before income taxes.