General (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 27, 2018	Sep. 28, 2017	Sep. 27, 2018	Sep. 28, 2017
Total Shareholders' Equity Attributable to The Marcus Corporation
Beginning Balance			$ 445,024	$ 390,112
Net earnings attributable to The Marcus Corporation	$ 16,231	$ 10,978	44,671	30,555
Cash dividends			(12,277)	(10,122)
Exercise of stock options			6,902	2,083
Savings and profit sharing contribution			1,130	1,024
Treasury stock transactions, except for stock options			(2,566)	(463)
Share-based compensation			1,950	1,867
Cumulative effect of adopting ASU No. 2014-09, net of tax	(2,568)		(2,568)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	351	54	665	147
Ending Balance	482,931	415,203	482,931	415,203
Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balance			100	1,535
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(8)	(160)	70	(495)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			(65)	0
Ending Balance	$ 105	$ 1,040	$ 105	$ 1,040

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) to equity or (increase) decrease to net assets, resulting from the cumulative effect adjustment of a new accounting principle applied in the period of adoption.

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