Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Supplemental information to condensed consolidated statements of cash flows
Cash paid for interest		$ 53,402	$ 47,788
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received			56,429
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Change in accounts payable and accrued expenses for the acquisition of theatre properties and equipment		(1,245)	97
Theatre properties acquired under capital lease		535	2,191
Change in fair market values of interest rate swap agreements, net of taxes		(1,030)	(456)
Investment in NCM-receipt of common units (see Note 7 )		9,302	30,683
Investment in NCM - change of interest gain			271
Equipment contributed to DCIP (see Note 8)	3,777	18,090	18,090
Dividends accrued on unvested restricted stock unit awards		(334)	(162)
Shares issued upon non-cash stock option exercises, at exercise price of $7.63 per share			413
Investment in Real D (see Note 9)		3,402	6,521
Change in fair market value of available-for-sale securities, net of taxes (see Note 9)		(1,720)
Issuance of shares as a result of Colombia Share Exchange			6,951
Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Textuals)
Exercise price of non cash stock options		$ 7.63
Additions to theatre properties and equipment included in accounts payable		$ 9,917		$ 11,162