Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Capital Stock [Member]	Other Equity [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2019		$ 419,348	$ 171,789	$ (40,253)	$ (3,190)
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Change in shares held in treasury		2,619
Amortization of share-based payment expense - stock options			598
Amortization of share-based payment expense - restricted share units			2,814
Amortization of share-based payment expense - performance stock units			287
Restricted share units vested			(5,705)
Common shares repurchased and retired		(17,803)		(18,821)
Common shares repurchased, IMAX China			(891)
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests	$ (49,354)			(49,354)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(2,905)				(2,569)
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2020		404,164	168,892	(108,428)	(5,759)
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2019						$ 89,493
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(10,057)					(9,649)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax						(336)
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2020						79,508
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Total shareholders' equity	538,377
Total shareholders' equity	464,008
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2020	385,489	407,020	180,330	(202,849)	988
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Employee stock options exercised		824
Amortization of share-based payment expense - stock options			407
Amortization of share-based payment expense - restricted share units			3,626
Amortization of share-based payment expense - performance stock units			1,117
Restricted share units vested			(10,507)
Purchase of capped call related to convertible notes			(19,067)
Grant date fair value of stock options exercised		253	(253)
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests	(14,840)			(14,840)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(2,100)				(1,447)
Restricted share units vested, net of shares withheld for employee tax obligations		6,885
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2021	352,487	$ 414,982	$ 155,653	$ (217,689)	$ (459)
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2020	78,519					78,519
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	4,340					4,349
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax						(653)
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2021	82,215					$ 82,215
Movement of Shareholders' Equity
Total shareholders' equity	$ 434,702