Noncontrolling Interests (Summary Of Changes In Controlling And Non-controlling Stockholders’ Equity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Balance	$ 179,946	$ 180,547	$ 184,167	$ 181,618	$ 180,547	$ 181,618
Net income	2,357	(2,097)	5,129	3,104	260	8,232
Other comprehensive income, net	(2,347)	1,511	(7,917)	(753)
Share-based compensation expense	400	280	338	379
Share repurchase plan	(2,622)	(9)	(80)	(317)
Class A common stock issued for share-based bonuses and options exercised		(185)		61
In-kind exchange of share for the exercise of options, net issued			1	(75)
Restricted Stock Units	(31)	(74)	(8)	(26)
Contributions from noncontrolling shareholders	9	18	27	27
Distributions to noncontrolling shareholders	(15)	(27)	(50)	(43)
Balance	177,697	179,946	181,607	184,167	177,697	181,607
Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]
Balance	147,472	147,452	146,237	145,898	147,452	145,898
Share-based compensation expense	400	280	338	379
Class A common stock issued for share-based bonuses and options exercised		(185)		61
In-kind exchange of share for the exercise of options, net issued				(75)
Restricted Stock Units	(31)	(75)	(8)	(26)
Balance	147,841	147,472	146,567	146,237	147,841	146,567
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]
Balance	45,563	47,616	36,332	33,056	47,616	33,056
Net income	2,394	(2,081)	5,027	3,082
Balance	$ 47,957	$ 45,563	$ 41,359	$ 36,332	$ 47,957	$ 41,359
Treasury Shares [Member]
Balance, shares	(25,231)	(25,222)	(23,223)	(22,906)	(25,222)	(22,906)
Share repurchase plan, shares	(2,622)	(9)	(80)	(317)
Balance, shares	(27,853)	(25,231)	(23,303)	(23,223)	(27,853)	(23,303)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) [Member]
Balance	$ 7,625	$ 6,115	$ 20,241	$ 20,991	$ 6,115	$ 20,991
Other comprehensive income, net	(2,346)	1,510	(7,910)	(750)
Balance	5,279	7,625	12,331	20,241	5,279	12,331
Reading International Inc. Stockholders' Equity [Member]
Balance	175,679	176,210	179,835	177,287	176,210	177,287
Net income	2,394	(2,081)	5,027	3,082
Other comprehensive income, net	(2,346)	1,510	(7,910)	(750)
Share-based compensation expense	400	280	338	379
Share repurchase plan	(2,622)	(9)	(80)	(317)
Class A common stock issued for share-based bonuses and options exercised		(185)		61
In-kind exchange of share for the exercise of options, net issued			1	(75)
Restricted Stock Units	(31)	(74)	(8)	(26)
Balance	173,474	175,679	177,203	179,835	173,474	177,203
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance	4,267	4,337	4,332	4,331	4,337	4,331
Net income	(37)	(16)	102	22
Other comprehensive income, net	(1)	1	(7)	(3)
Contributions from noncontrolling shareholders	9	18	27	27
Distributions to noncontrolling shareholders	(15)	(27)	(50)	(43)
Balance	$ 4,223	4,267	4,404	4,332	$ 4,223	4,404
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
Adjustments to opening retained earnings on adoption of ASC 842		(18)		192
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] | Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]
Adjustments to opening retained earnings on adoption of ASC 842		28		194
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] | Reading International Inc. Stockholders' Equity [Member]
Adjustments to opening retained earnings on adoption of ASC 842		28		194
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Adjustments to opening retained earnings on adoption of ASC 842		$ (46)		(2)
Class A [Member]
Balance, shares		33,112,337			33,112,337
Balance, shares	32,213,025				32,213,025
Class A [Member] | Common Stock Shares Outstanding [Member]
Balance	$ 233	$ 232	$ 231	$ 231	$ 232	$ 231
Balance, shares	21,235	21,195	21,251	21,251	21,195	21,251
Share repurchase plan, shares	(197)
In-kind exchange of share for the exercise of options, net issued			$ 1
Restricted Stock Units		$ 1
Restricted Stock Units, shares	33	40
Balance	$ 233	$ 233	$ 232	$ 231	$ 233	$ 232
Balance, shares	21,071	21,235	21,251	21,251	21,071	21,251
Class B [Member]
Balance, shares		1,680,590			1,680,590
Balance, shares	1,680,590				1,680,590
Class B [Member] | Common Stock Shares Outstanding [Member]
Balance	$ 17	$ 17	$ 17	$ 17	$ 17	$ 17
Balance, shares	1,680	1,680	1,680	1,680	1,680	1,680
Balance	$ 17	$ 17	$ 17	$ 17	$ 17	$ 17
Balance, shares	1,680	1,680	1,680	1,680	1,680	1,680