Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Voluntary Filers Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Public Float Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets Abstract ASSETS Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Receivables Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Inventory, Net Inventory Inventory, Net, Total Marketable Securities Investment in marketable securities Marketable Securities, Total Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Restricted cash Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred tax asset Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current, Total Prepaid and other current assets Assets Held-for-sale, Current Assets held for sale Assets Held-for-sale, Current, Total Assets, Current Total current assets Properties owned by the entity in a status of either being held for development or currently under development for the ultimate purpose to either sell or be operated by the entity. Property held for and under development Property held for and under development Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Property & equipment, net Equity Method Investments Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures and entities The company's required investment in its own trust preferred securities as prescribed by the trust agreement. Investment In Internal Trust Investment in Reading International Trust I Goodwill Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Total Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill), Total Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Deferred tax asset, net Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent, Total Other Assets Other assets Other Assets, Total Assets Total assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable pertaining to film product received from distributors used in the cinema exhibition business for which the invoices have yet to be paid. Film Rent Payable Film rent payable Notes Payable, Current Notes payable - current portion Notes Payable, Current, Total Taxes Payable, Current Taxes payable Taxes Payable, Current, Total Deferred Revenue, Current Deferred current revenue Deferred Revenue, Current, Total Other Liabilities, Current Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current, Total Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Notes Payable, Noncurrent Notes payable - long-term portion Notes Payable, Noncurrent, Total Notes Payable, Related Parties, Noncurrent Notes payable to related party Subordinated Debt Subordinated Debt, Ending Balance Subordinated Debt, Beginning Balance Subordinated debt Subordinated Debt, Total Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Noncurrent tax liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Liabilities Total liabilities Commitments And Contingencies 2009 Commitments and contingencies (Note 19) Stockholders' equity: Common Stock, Value, Issued Balance Balance Class A Nonvoting Common Stock, par value $0.01, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 35,849,473 issued and 21,308,823 outstanding at September 30, 2010 and 35,610,857 issued and 21,132,582 outstanding at December 31, 2009 Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Nonvoting preferred stock, par value $0.01, 12,000 shares authorized and no issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Additional Paid in Capital Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Total Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Treasury Stock, Value Treasury shares Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Treasury shares Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Total Reading International, Inc. stockholders' equity Total Reading International, Inc. stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Total stockholders' equity Total stockholders' equity Liabilities And Stock holders Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common stock, shares outstanding Balance, shares Balance, shares Preferred stock, par value Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Beginning Balance Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract] Operating revenue Revenue from cinema admissions, the sale of concessions in the form of food and beverages, the total amount of other operating revenues, not previously categorized, from items that are associated with the entity's normal revenue producing operation. Revenue From Cinema Cinema The total amount of revenue recognized for the period from operating leases, including minimum lease revenue, contingent revenue, percentage revenue, sublease revenue and leasing activities associated with live theater operations. Revenue From Real Estate Real estate Revenues Total operating revenue Total Operating expense Costs incurred that are directly related to cinema exhibition including rent, salaries and wages, film rental, advertising, and costs incurred that are directly related to generating concessions revenue. Operating Expenses,Cinema Cinema Costs incurred and are directly related to generating revenues from leased and rented property and costs associated with live theaters rental operations. Operating Expenses Real Estate Real estate Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total Depreciation and amortization Loss on transfer of real estate held for sale to continuing operations. Loss on Transfer of Real Estate Held for Sale to Continuing Operations Loss on transfer of real estate held for sale to continuing operations Loss on transfer of real estate held for sale to continuing operations Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Loss provision on impairment of asset Loss provision on impairment of asset Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property, Total Impairment expense Contractual commitment loss. Contractual Commitment Loss Contractual commitment loss Loss associated with contractual commitment General and Administrative Expense General and Administrative Expense, Total General and administrative Other Operating Income (Expense), Net Other operating income Gain in other operating income Other operating income Gain in other operating income Operating Expenses Total operating expense OperatingIncomeLoss OperatingIncomeLoss Operating income Operating income Interest Income, Operating Interest income Interest Expense Interest expense Interest Expense, Total Interest expense Gain On Retirement Of Subordinated Debt (Trust Preferred Securities) Gain on retirement of subordinated debt (trust preferred securities) Gain on extinguishment of debt Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets Gain on sale of assets Net gain (loss) on sale of assets Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets, Total Gain on sale of assets Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Other income (expense) Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Income (loss) before income tax benefit (expense), equity earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities, and discontinued operations Income before income tax expense and equity earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax benefit (expense) Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Income tax expense Income (loss) before equity earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities and discontinued operations. Income (Loss) Before Equity Earnings (Loss) of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures and Entities and Discontinued Operations Income (loss) before equity earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities and discontinued operations Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Equity (earnings) loss of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Total Equity earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Gain (Loss) on Sale of Equity Investments Gain on the sale of an unconsolidated entity Gain on sale of unconsolidated joint venture Gain on the sale of unconsolidated joint venture or entity Income (loss) before discontinued operations Income (loss) before discontinued operations Income (loss) before discontinued operations Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax Gain on sale of discontinued operation Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax, Total ProfitLoss Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) Net income (loss) attributable to Reading International, Inc. common shareholders Net income (loss) Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders - basic: Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Earnings (loss) from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Outstanding Share, Total Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share Earnings from discontinued operations, net Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Outstanding Share, Total Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders - diluted: Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share Earnings (loss) from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share Earnings from discontinued operations, net Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share, Total Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic Weighted average number of shares outstanding, Basic, Total Weighted average number of shares outstanding - dilutive Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] Treasury Stock [Member] Treasury Stock [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Deficit [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) [Member] Parent [Member] Total Reading International, Inc. Stockholders' Equity [Member] Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Noncontrolling Interests [Member] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Other comprehensive income: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total Cumulative foreign exchange rate adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Costs (Credit) Arising During Period, Net of Tax Accrued pension service costs Accrued pension service costs Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Unrealized gain / (loss) on securities Unrealized gain / (loss) on securities Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total comprehensive income / (loss) Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units, Requisite Service Period Recognition Stock option and restricted stock compensation expense Stock option and restricted stock compensation expense Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Cancelation of treasury shares Cancelation of treasury shares Stock Repurchased During Period, Value Purchase of treasury shares Purchase of treasury stock Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Purchase of treasury shares, shares Purchase of treasury shares, shares Common stock issued during the period, value, stock bonuses and options exercised Common Stock Issued During the Period, Value, Stock Bonuses and Options Exercised Class A common stock issued for stock bonuses and options exercised Common stock issued during the period, shares, stock bonuses and options exercised Common Stock Issued During the Period, Shares, Stock Bonuses and Options Exercised Class A common stock issued for stock bonuses and options exercised, shares Deemed distribution from capital lease Deemed Distribution from Capital Lease Deemed distribution from capital lease Deemed distribution from capital lease Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Deconsolidation Cinema sale to noncontrolling shareholder Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Equity Issuance or Sale of Parent Equity Interest Contributions from noncontrolling shareholders Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Distributions to noncontrolling shareholders Distributions to noncontrolling shareholders Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Operating Activities Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Loss recognized on foreign currency transactions (Income) loss recognized on foreign currency transactions Loss recognized on foreign currency transactions Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures and entities The gains and losses included in earnings resulting from the sale or disposal of tangible assets including discontinued operatons. Gain Loss On Disposition Of Assets Including Discontinued Operations (Gain) loss on sale of assets Gain on sale of assets Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred tax benefit Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Marketable Securities, Gain (Loss) (Gain) loss on marketable securities Gain on sale of marketable securities Marketable Securities, Gain (Loss), Total Gain on option termination. Gain on Option Termination Gain on option termination Gain on option termination Extinguishment of Debt, Gain (Loss), Net of Tax Gain on retirement of subordinated debt (trust preferred securities) Gain on retirement of subordinated debt (trust preferred securities) Extinguishment of Debt, Gain (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Pension Expense Amortization of prior service costs The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of acquired lease assets and liabilities in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. Amortization of above and below market leases Amortization of above and below market leases Amortization of deferred financing costs Amortization of straight-line rent Amortization of straight-line rent Stock based compensation expense Share-based Compensation, Total Changes in assets and liabilities: Decrease in receivables (Increase) decrease in receivables Increase (Decrease) in Receivables, Total (Increase) decrease in prepaid and other assets Increase in prepaid and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets, Total Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total Increase Decrease in Film Rent Payable Increase Decrease in Film Rent Payable Increase (decrease) in film rent payable Increase (decrease) in film rent payable Increase in taxes payable Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues and other liabilities Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues and other liabilities Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue and other liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Investing activities Investing Activities Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Acquisitions Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Acquisition deposit. Acquisition Deposit Acquisition deposit paid Acquisitions Purchases of and additions to property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Change in restricted cash Change in restricted cash Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash, Total Cinema sale proceeds from noncontrolling shareholder Cinema Sale Proceeds from Noncontrolling Shareholder Cinema sale proceeds from noncontrolling shareholder Purchase of marketable securities Purchase of marketable securities Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities, Total Sale of marketable securities Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities, Total Proceeds from Sale of Notes Receivable Proceeds from note receivable Proceeds from Derivative Instrument, Investing Activities Option proceeds Distributions of investment in equity method investments. Return Of Investment In Equity Method Investments Distributions of investment in unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Payments to Acquire Notes Receivable Purchase of notes receivable Purchase of notes receivable Net cash used in investing activities Net cash used in investing activities Financing activities Financing Activities Repayment of long-term borrowings Repayment of long-term borrowings Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Proceeds from borrowings Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Capitalized borrowing costs Capitalized borrowing costs Payments of Financing Costs, Total Repurchase of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock Repurchase of Class A Nonvoting Common Proceeds from the exercise of stock options Proceeds from stock options Noncontrolling interest distributions Noncontrolling interest distributions Noncontrolling interest contributions Payments to Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling interest distributions Net cash used in financing activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of exchange rate on cash Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental Disclosures Interest Paid, Net Interest on borrowings, net of amounts capitalized (see Note 6) Interest Paid, Net, Total Income taxes paid Income taxes Non-Cash Transactions Foreclosure of a mortgage note to obtain title of the underlying property Foreclosure of a Mortgage Note to Obtain Title of the Underlying Property Foreclosure of a mortgage note to obtain title of the underlying property Reduction In Note Payable Associated With Acquisition Purchase Price Adjustment Reduction in note payable associated with acquisition purchase price adjustment A deemed distribution under a contact in which the counterparty gains a greater than market share in a noncash transaction. Deemed Distribution Deemed distribution Fair Value of Assets Acquired Capital lease asset addition Capital Lease Obligations Incurred Capital lease obligation Exchange of marketable securities. Exchange of Marketable Securities Exchange of marketable securities for Reading International Trust I securities Subordinated Liabilities, Period Increase (Decrease) Retirement of subordinated debt (trust preferred securities) Subordinated Liabilities, Period Increase (Decrease), Total