Selected Financial Information by Geographic Area (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 757,566	$ 633,573	$ 2,030,961	$ 1,861,997
Theatre Properties and Equipment - net	1,417,023		1,417,023		1,304,958
U.S. Operating Segment
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	529,426	416,165	1,412,898	1,271,155
Theatre Properties and Equipment - net	1,043,261		1,043,261		940,922
Brazil
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	87,028	82,457	251,831	244,487
Theatre Properties and Equipment - net	186,998		186,998		190,990
Other international countries
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	144,743	138,176	376,012	354,393
Theatre Properties and Equipment - net	186,764		186,764		173,046
Eliminations
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$ (3,631)	$ (3,225)	$ (9,780)	$ (8,038)