Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues (see Note 7 for related party amounts)	$ 213,436		$ 162,803		$ 348,084		$ 298,887
Costs of revenues	133,276		114,247		218,797		210,747
Gross profit	80,160	[1]	48,556	[1]	129,287	[1]	88,140	[1]
Product development	1,069		1,340		2,032		2,474
Selling, general and administrative expenses	49,711		30,816		92,500		58,281
Other operating income related to Oriental DreamWorks contributions	(2,859)		0		(2,859)		0
Operating income	32,239		16,400		37,614		27,385
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest income, net	777		616		1,640		1,184
Other income, net	1,050		1,326		2,042		3,842
(Increase) decrease in income tax benefit payable to former stockholder	(371)		283		(1,069)		392
Income before loss from equity method investees and income taxes	33,695		18,625		40,227		32,803
Loss from equity method investees	1,329		0		1,329		0
Income before income taxes	32,366		18,625		38,898		32,803
Provision for income taxes	10,118		5,853		10,536		10,957
Net income	22,248		12,772		28,362		21,846
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests	(5)		0		532		0
Net income attributable to DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.	$ 22,253		$ 12,772		$ 27,830		$ 21,846
Net income per share of common stock attributable to DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27		$ 0.15		$ 0.33		$ 0.26
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26		$ 0.15		$ 0.33		$ 0.26
Shares used in computing net income per share
Basic (in shares)	83,524		84,125		84,094		84,031
Diluted (in shares)	84,533		84,893		84,898		84,807

[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.