General - Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 26, 2020	Mar. 28, 2019
Beginning balance	$ 621,458	$ 490,119
Exercise of stock options	45	454
Purchase of treasury stock	(274)	(428)
Savings and profit-sharing contribution	1,315	1,181
Reissuance of treasury stock	48	47
Share-based compensation	988	777
Reissuance of treasury stock-acquisition		109,197
Other		(109)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest		(60)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(20,047)	1,497
Ending balance	598,388	597,859
Capital in Excess of Par [Member]
Beginning balance	145,549	63,830
Exercise of stock options	5	(78)
Savings and profit-sharing contribution	299	810
Reissuance of treasury stock	2	31
Issuance of non-vested stock	(149)	(127)
Share-based compensation	988	777
Reissuance of treasury stock-acquisition		77,960
Other		(109)
Ending balance	146,694	143,094
Retained Earnings [Member]
Beginning balance	461,884	439,178
Comprehensive income (loss)	(19,352)	1,860
Ending balance	437,387	436,222
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Beginning balance	(12,648)	(6,758)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(547)	(297)
Ending balance	(13,195)	(7,055)
Treasury Stock [Member]
Beginning balance	(4,540)	(37,431)
Exercise of stock options	40	532
Purchase of treasury stock	(274)	(428)
Savings and profit-sharing contribution	1,016	371
Reissuance of treasury stock	46	16
Issuance of non-vested stock	149	127
Reissuance of treasury stock-acquisition		31,237
Ending balance	(3,563)	(5,576)
Shareholders' Equity Attributable to The Marcus Corporation [Member]
Beginning balance	621,435	490,009
Exercise of stock options	45	454
Purchase of treasury stock	(274)	(428)
Savings and profit-sharing contribution	1,315	1,181
Reissuance of treasury stock	48	47
Share-based compensation	988	777
Reissuance of treasury stock-acquisition		109,197
Other		(109)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(19,899)	1,563
Ending balance	598,513	597,875
Non- controlling Interests [Member]
Beginning balance	23	110
Distributions to noncontrolling interest		(60)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(148)	(66)
Ending balance	(125)	(16)
Common Stock [Member]
Beginning balance	23,254	22,843
Cash dividends:	(3,921)	(3,633)
Conversions of Class B Common Stock	10	411
Ending balance	23,264	23,254
Common Stock [Member] \| Retained Earnings [Member]
Cash dividends:	(3,921)	(3,633)
Common Stock [Member] \| Shareholders' Equity Attributable to The Marcus Corporation [Member]
Cash dividends:	(3,921)	(3,633)
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Beginning balance	7,936	8,347
Cash dividends:	(1,224)	(1,183)
Conversions of Class B Common Stock	(10)	(411)
Ending balance	7,926	7,936
Class B Common Stock [Member] \| Retained Earnings [Member]
Cash dividends:	(1,224)	(1,183)
Class B Common Stock [Member] \| Shareholders' Equity Attributable to The Marcus Corporation [Member]
Cash dividends:	$ (1,224)	$ (1,183)

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