Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net income	$ 23,100	$ 4,100
Net pension adjustments, net of tax:
Liability adjustments for defined benefit pension plans		(2,900)
Reclassification of adjustments for defined benefit plans recorded in net loss	100	400
Total net pension adjustments	100	(2,500)
Net foreign currency translation:
Unrealized foreign currency translation income		700
Total net foreign currency translation		700
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	100	(1,800)
Comprehensive income	23,200	2,300
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,900
Comprehensive income attributable to GlassBridge Enterprises, Inc.	$ 20,300	$ 2,300