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 Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets Abstract 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 and cash equivalents Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Receivables Inventory, Net Inventory Marketable Securities Current Investment in marketable securities Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Restricted cash Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Total prepaid and other current assets Prepaid and other current assets Assets Held-for-sale, Not Part of Disposal Group, Current Land held for sale-current Assets, Current Total current assets Total property and equipment Carrying value of property Total operating property Operating property, net Operating property, net Assets Held For Sale Not Part Of Disposal Group Noncurrent Assets Held For Sale Not Part Of Disposal Group Noncurrent Land held for sale-non current 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 Equity Method Investments 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 Goodwill, Ending balance Goodwill, Beginning balance Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible assets, net Net intangible assets other than goodwill Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Deferred tax asset, net Net deferred tax asset, noncurrent Other Assets Noncurrent Other assets Total non-current assets Assets Total Assets Total assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 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 Debt - 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 Debt – long-term portion Subordinated Long-term Debt, Noncurrent Subordinated debt Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Noncurrent tax liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other liabilities Other liabilities Liabilities Total liabilities Commitments And Contingencies 2009 Commitments and contingencies (Note 12) Stockholders' equity: Common Stock, Value, Issued 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, 2015 and at December 31, 2014 Additional Paid in Capital 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 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, 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 Equity, ending balance Equity, beginning 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 Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract] Revenues [Abstract] 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 revenue Costs and expenses 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 Operating Expenses Total costs and expenses Operating Income Loss Operating income Operating income Interest Income, Operating Interest income Interest Expense Interest expense Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets Gain (loss) on sale of assets Net gain on sale of assets Gain on sale of assets Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other income (expense) 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 (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Equity earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Equity earnings and gain on sale of unconsolidated subsidiary Total equity earnings Equity earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax benefit (expense) Income tax expenses Total income tax expense (benefit) Actual tax provision (benefit) ProfitLoss Net income (loss) Net income Net income Net income (loss) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net (income) expense attributable to noncontrolling interests Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income (loss) Net income (loss) attributable to RDI common stockholders Net income attributable to RDI common stockholders Net income attributable to Reading International, Inc. common shareholders Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic earnings (loss) per share Basic income per share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders Basic EPS attributable for RDI common stockholders Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted earnings (loss) per share Diluted income per share attributable to Reading International, Inc. shareholders Diluted EPS attributable to RDI common stockholders Weighted average number of shares outstanding-basic Weighted average shares of common stock – basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Weighted average number of shares outstanding-diluted Weighted average shares of common stock – diluted Consolidated Statements Of 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), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Unrealized income on available for sale investments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Costs (Credit) Arising During Period, Net of Tax Accrued pension service benefit (costs) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Reading International, Inc. Other comprehensive income Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] 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] Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Deficit [Member] Treasury Stock [Member] Treasury Stock [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) [Member] Parent [Member] Reading International Inc. Stockholders Equity [Member] Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Noncontrolling Stockholders' Equity [Member] Shares, Issued Balance, shares Balance, shares Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other comprehensive loss 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 Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Gross Stock option and restricted stock compensation expense, shares Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Treasury stock purchased Repurchased program, amount repurchased Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Stock repurchase plan, shares Shares acquired Exchange Of Stock Issued For The Exercise Of Options Exchange Of Stock Issued For The Exercise Of Options In-kind exchange of stock for the exercise of options, net issued Exchange Of Stock Issued For The Exercise Of Options, During Period Shares Exchange Of Stock Issued For The Exercise Of Options, During Period Shares In-kind exchange of stock for the exercise of options, net issued, shares 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 Conversion to Equity Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Conversion to Equity 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 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 to net cash provided by operating activities: Loss recognized on foreign currency transactions Foreign currency transactions Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated joint ventures and entities 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 Change in valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets Change in net deferred tax assets Depreciation and Amortization, Discontinued Operations Depreciation and amortization Amortization of Other Deferred Charges Other amortization Stock based compensation expense Stock based compensation expense Net change in: Decrease in receivables Receivables (Increase) decrease in prepaid and other assets Prepaid and other assets Accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase Decrease in Film Rent Payable Increase Decrease in Film Rent Payable Film rent payable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable Taxes payable Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues and other liabilities Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues and other liabilities Deferred revenue and other liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Investing activities Investing Activities 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 Proceeds from Sale of Notes Receivable Proceeds from note receivable Distributions of investment in equity method investments. Return Of Investment In Equity Method Investments Distributions of investment in unconsolidated joint ventures and entities Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from sale of property 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 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 Interest Paid, Net Interest paid Income taxes paid Income taxes paid, net 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 The disclosure of the nature of an entity's business and the reporting segments. Description Of Business And Segment Reporting [Abstract] Description Of Business And Segment Reporting Description Of Business And Segment Reporting Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Text Block Earnings Per Share Acquisitions Disposals And Assets Held For Sale [Abstract] Acquisitions, Disposals, And Assets Held For Sale [Abstract] Acquisitions Disposals And Assets Held For Sale Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisitions Disposals And Assets Held For Sale Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisitions, Disposals And Assets Held For Sale Property And Equipment [Abstract] Disclosure of real estate assets (normally turning over within one year or one business cycle if longer) that are sold, held for sale apart from normal operations and anticipated to be sold within one year, real estate property currently under development, real estate currently held for development and long-lived, property that is physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, building and production equipment. This disclosure may include property plant and equipment accounting policies and methodology, a schedule of property, plant and equipment gross, additions, deletions, transfers and other changes, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, net, accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and useful lives, income statement disclosures, assets held for sale and public utility disclosures. This element may be used as a single block of text to include the entire PPE disclosure, including data and tables. Property Sold Property Held For Sale Property Held For And Under Development Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Property And Equipment Investments In And Advances To Unconsolidated Joint Ventures And Entities [Abstract] Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block] Investments In And Advances To Unconsolidated Joint Ventures And Entities Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract] Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure Text Block Goodwill And Intangible Assets Prepaid And Other Assets [Abstract] Prepaid And Other Assets [Text Block] Prepaid And Other Assets [Text Block] Prepaid And Other Assets Income Tax [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure Text Block Income Tax