Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Calculation Of Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Earnings (Loss) Per Share [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 604	$ (18)	$ 482	$ 13,164
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(241)	55	(121)	1,826
Net Income ( loss) attributable to Reading International, Inc. common shareholders	$ 363	$ 37	$ 361	$ 14,990
Earnings from continuing operations, Basic	$ 0.03	$ 0.00	$ 0.03	$ 0.58
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net, Basic	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ 0.08
Basic income per share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.66
Earnings from continuing operations, Diluted	$ 0.03	$ 0.00	$ 0.03	$ 0.57
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net, Diluted	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ 0.08
Diluted income per share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders	$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.65
Weighted average shares of common stock - basic	23,071,846	22,782,534	23,007,787	22,759,488
Weighted average shares of common stock - dilutive	23,293,886	22,979,952	23,229,827	22,956,906