Non-Controlling Interests - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Film	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Non-controlling Interests
Non-controlling interest	$ 75,535		$ 75,535			$ 89,493
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	$ (1,275)	$ 1,863	(15,412)	$ 8,524
Investment in film assets			$ 6,177	15,405
IMAX China Noncontrolling Interest
Non-controlling Interests
Minority Interest Ownership Percentage By Company	69.89%		69.89%
IMAX China
Non-controlling Interests
Non-controlling interest	$ 75,500		$ 75,500
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	$ 2,200	$ 2,300	(10,300)	$ 9,300
Other Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Non-controlling Interests
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests			$ (5,132)
Non-controlling interest description			The Company’s Original Film Fund was established in 2014 to co-finance a portfolio of 10 original large-format films. The initial investment in the Original Film Fund was committed by a third party in the amount of $25.0 million, with the possibility of contributing additional funds. The Company has contributed $9.0 million to the Original Film Fund since 2014 and has reached its maximum contribution.
Number Of Expected Original Films | Film					10
Investment in film assets			$ 22,300
Other Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Third Party [Member]
Non-controlling Interests
Film Fund Expected Capital Contribution					$ 25,000
Other Noncontrolling Interest [Member] | Imax
Non-controlling Interests
Film fund contributions paid			$ 9,000