Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating revenue
Cinema	$ 225,849	$ 211,073	$ 201,388
Real estate	19,956	19,046	15,626
Total operating revenue	245,805	230,119	217,014
Operating expense
Cinema	182,215	171,795	160,467
Real estate	10,419	9,221	7,591
Depreciation and amortization	16,960	15,914	15,168
Loss on transfer of real estate held for sale to continuing operations			549
Impairment expense	369	2,239	3,217
Contractual commitment loss			1,092
General and administrative	17,432	17,784	17,559
Other operating income			(2,551)
Total operating expense	227,395	216,953	203,092
Operating income	18,410	13,166	13,922
Interest income	1,482	1,351	1,154
Interest expense	(22,520)	(13,637)	(15,726)
Gain on extinguishment of debt			10,714
Net gain (loss) on sale of assets	(67)	352	(2)
Other income (expense)	1,157	(347)	(2,013)
Income (loss) before income tax benefit (expense), equity earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities, and discontinued operations	(1,538)	885	8,049
Income tax benefit (expense)	12,330	(14,264)	(1,952)
Income (loss) before equity earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities and discontinued operations	10,792	(13,379)	6,097
Equity earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities	(1,552)	1,345	117
Gain on sale of unconsolidated joint venture			268
Income (loss) before discontinued operations	9,240	(12,034)	6,482
Gain on sale of discontinued operation	1,656
Net income (loss)	10,896	(12,034)	6,482
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(940)	(616)	(388)
Net income (loss) attributable to Reading International, Inc. common shareholders	$ 9,956	$ (12,650)	$ 6,094
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders - basic:
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ 0.37	$ (0.56)	$ 0.27
Earnings from discontinued operations, net	$ 0.07
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.44	$ (0.56)	$ 0.27
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders - diluted:
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ 0.36	$ (0.56)	$ 0.27
Earnings from discontinued operations, net	$ 0.07
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.43	$ (0.56)	$ 0.27
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic	22,764,666	22,781,392	22,580,942
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted	22,993,135	22,781,392	22,767,735