Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Supplemental Information - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) exhibitor Theater Film	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) exhibitor Theater Film	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) Film	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Selling Expenses
Deferred direct selling costs and direct advertising and marketing included in costs and expenses applicable to revenues-equipment and product sales	$ 600	$ 800	$ 1,500	$ 2,000
Direct advertising and marketing costs included in costs and expenses applicable to revenues-rentals	500	500	1,400	1,200
Film exploitation costs, including advertising and marketing included in costs and expenses applicable to revenues-services	4,300	3,100	18,400	15,700
Foreign Exchange
Foreign exchange translation gain (Ioss)	$ (700)	400	$ (1,100)	(700)
Collaborative Arrangements
Total number of exhibitors under joint revenue sharing agreements | exhibitor	39		39
Total number of theater systems under joint revenue sharing agreements | Theater	1,243		1,243
Total number of operating theaters under joint revenue sharing agreement | Theater	841		841
Amounts attributable to transactions arising between the company and its customers under joint revenue sharing arrangements	$ 17,900	17,000	$ 66,100	$ 60,600
Average percentage of the box-office receipts of the film for recovering digital re-mastering cost	12.50%		12.50%
IMAX DMR films exhibited in the period | Film			59	58
Amounts attributable to transactions arising between the company and its customers under IMAX DMR arrangements	$ 26,700	22,400	$ 93,900	$ 85,600
Number of significant co-produced film arrangement | Film	2		2
Number of other co-produced film arrangements | Film	3		3
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Total Assets	$ 11,331		$ 11,331		$ 12,203
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Total Liabilities	15,556		15,556		$ 11,573
Amounts attributable to transactions between the company and other parties involved in the production of films included in cost and expense	100	200	300	400
Co-produced television collaborative arrangement revenue	0	0	0	400
Co-produced television collaborative arrangement costs and expenses	0	0	$ 0	500
Minimum [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements
Non-cancellable term of joint revenue sharing arrangements			10 years
Maximum [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements
Non-cancellable term of joint revenue sharing arrangements			or longer
Rental [Member]
Selling Expenses
Deferred direct selling costs and direct advertising and marketing included in costs and expenses applicable to revenues-equipment and product sales	$ 300	$ 400	$ 300	$ 1,000