Capital Stock - Stock-based Compensation by Plan Type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense by plan type	$ 5,310	$ 5,527	$ 15,969	$ 16,916
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense by plan type	433	2,145	1,449	6,228
Restricted Share Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense by plan type	3,430	2,933	10,866	9,175
Performance Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense by plan type	483		1,229
IMAX China Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense by plan type	600	86	701	230
IMAX China Long Term Incentive Plan Restricted Share Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense by plan type	332	$ 363	1,645	$ 1,283
IMAX China Long Term Incentive Plan Performance Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense by plan type	$ 32		$ 79