Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Supplemental Information - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) Theater exhibitor Film	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) Film	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) Theater exhibitor Film	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) Film	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Selling Expenses
Direct advertising and marketing costs included in costs and expenses applicable to revenues-technology rentals		$ 400	$ 500	$ 800	$ 1,400
Film exploitation costs, including advertising and marketing expense included in costs and expenses applicable to revenues-image enhancement and maintenance services		500	4,300	3,100	18,400
Foreign Exchange
Foreign exchange translation gain (loss)		$ 200	$ (700)	$ (800)	$ (1,100)
Collaborative Arrangements
Total number of exhibitors under traditional and hybrid joint revenue sharing agreements | exhibitor		41		41
Total number of theater systems under traditional and hybrid joint revenue sharing agreements | Theater		1,233		1,233
Total number of operating theaters under traditional and hybrid joint revenue sharing agreement | Theater		881		881
Average percentage of the box-office receipts earned in exchange of converting commercial films		12.50%		12.50%
IMAX DMR films exhibited in the period | Film		6	26	20	59
Amounts attributable to transactions arising between the company and its customers under IMAX DMR arrangements		$ 6,900	$ 26,700	$ 18,100	$ 93,900
Number of 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		$ 1,007,542		$ 1,007,542		$ 889,069
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Total Liabilities		532,397		532,397		245,974
Amounts attributable to transactions between the company and other parties involved in the production of films included in cost and expenses applicable to revenues-image enhancement and maintenance services		500	100	1,900	300
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Total Assets		1,571		1,571		9,677
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Total Liabilities	[1]	245		245		$ 308
Retrospective adoption of ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Member]
Collaborative Arrangements
Amounts attributable to transactions arising between the company and its customers under traditional and hybrid joint revenue sharing arrangements		4,500	17,900	$ 11,500	66,100
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
Technology Sales [Member]
Selling Expenses
Deferred direct selling costs and direct advertising and marketing included in costs and expenses applicable to revenues-technology sales		600	600	$ 1,000	1,500
Technology Rentals [Member]
Selling Expenses
Deferred direct selling costs and direct advertising and marketing included in costs and expenses applicable to revenues-technology sales		$ 300	$ 300	$ 500	$ 300

[1] Prior year comparative has been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.