Name:	imax_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssetsNet
Namespace Prefix:	imax_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of depreciation expense during the period from equipment operating under joint revenue sharing arrangements.

No definition available.

Name:	imax_DepreciationOnEquipmentAssignedToJointRevenueSharingArrangements
Namespace Prefix:	imax_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of depreciation expense during the period from other property plant and equipment.

No definition available.

Name:	imax_DepreciationOnOtherPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	imax_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The aggregate net amount of depreciation, amortization, and accretion recognized during an accounting period. As a noncash item, the net amount is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

Name:	us-gaap_DepreciationAmortizationAndAccretionNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of amortization expense for capitalized film cost for film predominantly monetized with other films and license agreements.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 926
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483154/926-20-50-4A

Name:	us-gaap_FilmMonetizedInFilmGroupAmortizationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of tangible and intangible assets over their remaining economic lives, classified as other.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 230
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-28

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(3))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483621/220-10-S99-2

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482099/360-10-50-1

Name:	us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.