Stockholders' Equity and Non-controlling Interests (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Value of shares authorized to be repurchased			$ 150,000,000
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount			100,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Equity [Roll Forward]
Total DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. stockholders’ equity, beginning of period			1,345,616,000
Non-controlling interests, beginning of period			630,000
Total equity, beginning of period			1,346,246,000
Issuance of shares for vesting of restricted shares			(724,000)
Stock-based compensation			18,224,000
Purchase of treasury shares			(24,961,000)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(104,000)	(378,000)	(2,596,000)	123,000
Distributions to non-controlling interest holder			(45,000)
Net income attributable to DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.	22,253,000	12,772,000	27,830,000	21,846,000
Net income from non-controlling interests	(5,000)	0	532,000	0
Net income	22,248,000	12,772,000	28,362,000	21,846,000
Total DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. stockholders’ equity, end of period	1,363,389,000		1,363,389,000
Non-controlling interests, end of period	1,117,000		1,117,000
Total equity, end of period	1,364,506,000		1,364,506,000
Common Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchased during period, shares	0.5		1.3
Stock repurchased during period, value	$ 8,800,000		$ 25,000,000