Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Capital Stock [Member]	Other Equity [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]	Statutory Surplus Reserve [Member]
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2020		$ 407,020	$ 188,845	$ (202,849)	$ 988
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Change in shares held in treasury		3
Employee stock options exercised, net of shares withheld for employee tax obligations		883
Amortization of share-based payment expense - stock options			626
Amortization of share-based payment expense - restricted share units			8,571
Amortization of share-based payment expense - performance stock units			2,138
Restricted share units vested			(11,792)
Purchase of capped calls related to convertible notes			(19,067)
Grant date fair value of stock options exercised		272	(271)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	$ (24,051)			(24,051)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	312				74
Restricted share units vested, net of shares withheld for employee tax obligations		7,671
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2021		415,849	169,050	(226,900)	1,062
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2020						$ 70,004
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests	7,439					7,432
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax						238
Dividends related to non-controlling shareholders of IMAX China						(2,099)
Share-based compensation attributable to non-controlling interests						123
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2021		415,849	169,050	(226,900)	1,062	75,698
Balance, beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2021		414,982	164,171	(217,689)	(459)	73,697
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Change in shares held in treasury		3
Employee stock options exercised, net of shares withheld for employee tax obligations		59
Amortization of share-based payment expense - stock options			235
Amortization of share-based payment expense - restricted share units			5,085
Amortization of share-based payment expense - performance stock units			1,051
Restricted share units vested		786	(1,474)
Grant date fair value of stock options exercised		19	(18)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	(9,211)			(9,211)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,412				1,521	891
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2021		415,849	169,050	(226,900)	1,062
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests	3,099					3,083
Dividends related to non-controlling shareholders of IMAX China						(2,099)
Share-based compensation attributable to non-controlling interests						126
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2021		415,849	169,050	(226,900)	1,062	75,698
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Total shareholders' equity	434,759
Total shareholders' equity	429,614
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2021	356,083	409,979	174,620	(234,975)	2,527	73,531	$ 3,932
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Amortization of share-based payment expense - stock options			370
Amortization of share-based payment expense - restricted share units			10,212
Amortization of share-based payment expense - performance stock units			3,717
Restricted share units vested		9,896	(13,708)
Common shares repurchased and retired		(28,768)		(20,587)
Change in ownership interest related to IMAX China common share repurchases			(543)			(1,301)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	(16,460)			(16,460)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(13,021)				(9,282)	(3,739)
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2022	290,930
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2021	73,531
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests	259					275
Dividends related to non-controlling shareholders of IMAX China						(2,610)
Share-based compensation attributable to non-controlling interests						399
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2022	66,555	391,107	174,668	(272,022)	(6,755)	66,555	3,932
Balance, beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2022		415,362	167,912	(251,194)	3,228	74,081	3,932
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Amortization of share-based payment expense - stock options			139
Amortization of share-based payment expense - restricted share units			5,862
Amortization of share-based payment expense - performance stock units			1,863
Restricted share units vested		851	(1,108)
Common shares repurchased and retired		(25,106)		(17,977)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	2,851			(2,851)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(13,889)				(9,983)	(3,906)
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2022	290,930
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests	(1,400)					(1,381)
Dividends related to non-controlling shareholders of IMAX China						(2,610)
Share-based compensation attributable to non-controlling interests						371
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2022	66,555	$ 391,107	$ 174,668	$ (272,022)	$ (6,755)	$ 66,555	$ 3,932
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Total shareholders' equity	$ 357,485