Breakdown of Selected Financial Information by Geographic Area (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 547,773	$ 578,818
Theatre Properties and Equipment - net	1,304,639		1,304,958
U.S.
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	366,363	411,225
Theatre Properties and Equipment - net	925,482		940,922
Brazil
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	82,117	78,398
Theatre Properties and Equipment - net	205,652		190,990
Other international countries
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	102,076	91,477
Theatre Properties and Equipment - net	173,505		173,046
Eliminations
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$ (2,783)	$ (2,282)