Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Reconciliation of weighted-average basic and diluted shares (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 26, 2019	Dec. 27, 2018
Numerator:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to The Marcus Corporation	$ (124,843)	$ 42,017	$ 53,391
Denominator:
Denominator for basic EPS	31,042	30,656	28,105
Effect of dilutive employee stock options		496	608
Denominator for diluted EPS	31,042	31,152	28,713
Common Stock [Member]
Net earnings (loss) per share - basic:
Common Stock	$ (4.13)	$ 1.44	$ 1.96
Net earnings (loss) per share - diluted:
Common Stock	(4.13)	1.35	1.86
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Net earnings (loss) per share - basic:
Common Stock	(3.74)	1.25	1.75
Net earnings (loss) per share - diluted:
Common Stock	$ (3.74)	$ 1.24	$ 1.72