Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Class of Stock [Axis] Class Of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Common Class A [Member] Class A [Member] Common Class B [Member] Class B [Member] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Trading Symbol Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Public Float Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets Abstract ASSETS Assets, Current [Abstract] Current Assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period Cash, Book Value Cash and cash equivalents Time Deposits, at Carrying Value Time deposits Time deposits , Book Value Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Receivables Accounts receivable, Book Value Inventory, Net Inventory Marketable Securities Current Investment in marketable securities Investment in marketable securities, Book Value Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Restricted cash Restricted cash, Book Value Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred tax asset Net deferred tax asset, current Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Total prepaid and other current assets Prepaid and other current assets Assets Held-for-sale, Current Land held for sale - current Assets, Current Total current assets Total property and equipment Property asset Operating property, net Operating property, net Real Estate Held-for-sale Land held for sale 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 Investment and development property, net Investment and development property, net Investment in joint venture Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Total investments 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 Investment in common trust securities Goodwill Ending balance Beginning balance Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible assets, net Total, net Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Deferred tax asset, net Net deferred tax asset, noncurrent Other Other assets Total non-current assets Assets Total Assets Total assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 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 Taxes Payable, Current Taxes payable Deferred Revenue, Current Deferred current revenue Other Liabilities, Current Other current liabilities Other current liabilities Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Notes Payable, Noncurrent Notes payable - long-term portion Subordinated Debt Subordinated debt Subordinated debt, Book Value Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Noncurrent tax liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other liabilities Other liabilities Liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies (Note 19) Stockholders' equity: Common stock, value Common stock Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Nonvoting preferred stock, par value $0.01, 12,000 shares authorized and no issued or outstanding shares at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 Additional Paid in Capital Additional paid-in capital Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated deficit Treasury Stock, Value Treasury shares Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Ending balance Beginning balance Accumulated other comprehensive income Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total Reading International, Inc. stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interests Total stockholders' equity Balance Balance Total stockholders' equity Liabilities And Stock holders 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 outstanding Preferred stock, par value Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred stock, shares outstanding 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 Real estate revenue Revenue Total revenue Total operating revenue 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 General and Administrative Expense General and administrative Loss provision on impairment of asset Impairment expense Impairment losses Operating Expenses Total operating expense OperatingIncomeLoss Operating income Operating income Interest Income, Operating Interest income Interest Expense Interest expense Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets Net gain (loss) on sale of assets Gain (loss) on sale of assets Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other income (loss) 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 before income tax expense and equity earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Income before income tax expense and equity earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax benefit (expense) Actual tax provision (benefit) Total income tax expense (benefit) Income (loss) before equity earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Income (loss) before equity earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Income (loss) before equity earnings (loss) of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Equity earnings and gain on sale of unconsolidated subsidiary Equity (earnings) loss of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Total equity earnings Equity earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Income (loss) before discontinued operations Income (loss) before discontinued operations Income (loss) before discontinued operations (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax Income (loss) from discontinued operations Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (Loss) on sale of discontinued operations Gain on sale of discontinued operation Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operation Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) attributable to Reading International, Inc. common shareholders Net income (loss) attributable to Reading International, Inc. common shareholders Net income (loss) attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders Basic income (loss) per common share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders: Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share Earnings (loss) from continuing operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders Basic earnings (loss) per share Diluted income (loss) per common share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders: 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 (loss) from discontinued operations, net Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Reading International Inc. shareholders Diluted earnings (loss) per share Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic Weighted average shares of common stock - basic Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted Weighted average shares of common stock - diluted Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax Cumulative foreign currency adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Net of Tax Reclassification of realized gain on available for sale investments included in net income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Unrealized income (loss) on available for sale investments Prior service cost Accrued pension service benefit (costs) Total comrehensive income (loss) Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Reading International, Inc. Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Shares, Issued Balance, shares Balance, shares Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other comprehensive income, net of tax Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Unit or Restricted Stock Award, Requisite Service Period Recognition Stock option and restricted stock compensation expense Stock Repurchased During Period, Value Stock repurchase plan Value of shares repurchased Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Stock repurchase plan, shares Shares repurchased Common stock issued during the period, value, stock bonuses and options exercised. Common Stock Issued During Period Value Stock Bonuses And Options Exercised Class A common stock issued for stock bonuses and options exercised Common Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Stock Bonuses And Options Exercised Common Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Stock Bonuses And Options Exercised Class A common stock issued for stock bonuses and options exercised, shares Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Equity Issuance or Sale of Parent Equity Interest Conversion of noncontrolling interest to equity Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Sale of Parent Equity Interest Contributions from noncontrolling shareholders Sale Of Subsidiary To Noncontrolling Shareholder Distributions to noncontrolling shareholders Condensed 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 Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions 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 operations. Gain Loss On Disposition Of Assets Including Discontinued Operations (Gain) loss on sale of assets Change in valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets Change in valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets Gain on sale of marketable securities Gain on sale of marketable securities Gain (Loss) on Acquisition And Or Settlement Gain (Loss) on Acquisition And Or Settlement Gain on cinema acquisition and settlement Gain on cinema acquisition and settlement Depreciation and Amortization, Discontinued Operations Depreciation and amortization Pension Expense Amortization of prior service costs Pension expenses 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 Stock based compensation expense Changes in assets and liabilities: Decrease in receivables (Increase) decrease in receivables (Increase) decrease in prepaid and other assets (Increase) decrease in prepaid and other assets Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase Decrease in Film Rent Payable Increase Decrease in Film Rent Payable Increase in film rent payable Increase (decrease) 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 Cash paid for acquisitions Proceeds From Acquisition And/Or Settlement Proceeds From Acquisition And/Or Settlement Cash received from cinema acquisition Acquisitions Purchases of and additions to operating property Change in restricted cash Change in restricted cash Payments to Acquire Notes Receivable Purchase of notes receivable Purchase of notes receivable Proceeds from Collection of Notes Receivable Proceeds from note receivable Sale of marketable securities Distributions of investment in equity method investments. Return Of Investment In Equity Method Investments Distributions of investment in unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Distributions received from joint venture Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from sale of property Payments for Deposits Purchase of time deposits Proceeds from Other Deposits Proceeds from time deposits 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 Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Proceeds from borrowings Capitalized borrowing costs Capitalized borrowing costs Repurchase of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock Repurchase of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock Proceeds from the exercise of stock options Proceeds from the exercise of stock options Cash received for options exercised Noncontrolling interest distributions Noncontrolling interest contributions Contributions from noncontrolling stockholders Payments to Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling interest distributions Net cash used in financing activities Net cash used in financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of exchange rate on cash Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental Disclosures Supplemental Cash Flow Information, Cash Paid During The Period [Abstract] Supplemental Cash Flow Information, Cash Paid During The Period [Abstract] Cash paid during the period for: Interest Paid, Net Interest on borrowings Income taxes paid Income taxes Non-Cash Transactions Lease Make Good Accrual Lease Make Good Accrual Lease make-good accrual Noncontrolling interest contribution in exchange for debt reduction. Noncontrolling interest contribution in exchange for debt reduction Contribution from noncontrolling shareholder in exchange for debt reduction - related party Conversion Of Noncontrolling Interest To Equity Conversion Of Noncontrolling Interest To Equity Conversion of noncontrolling interest to equity Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted In-kind exchange of stock for the exercise of options, net Noncontrolling interest contribution from bonus accrual. Noncontrolling Interest Contribution From Bonus Accrual Contribution from noncontrolling shareholder from bonus accrual Nature Of Business [Abstract] Nature of Operations [Text Block] Nature Of Business Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Stock-Based Compensation And Employee Stock Option Plan [Abstract]