Summary of significant accounting policies (Earnings (loss) per share of common stock) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Numerator:
Net income	$ (4,282)	$ (11,290)	$ (4,874)	$ (6,112)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net loss attributable to RealD Inc. common stockholders	$ (4,282)	$ (11,290)	$ (4,874)	$ (6,112)
Denominator: (in shares)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic)	51,474	49,771	51,183	49,935
Effect of dilutive securities	0	0	0	0
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (diluted)	51,474	49,771	51,183	49,935
Loss per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.12)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.12)
Options, employee stock purchase plan, restricted stock units and warrants to purchase common stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Weighted-average number of anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per common share	8,833	10,944	8,912	9,678