General - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 24, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 24, 2020
Numerator:
Net earnings (loss) attributable to The Marcus Corporation	$ 1,759	$ (39,440)	$ (49,737)	$ (85,821)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic EPS	31,421	31,064	31,340	31,033
Effect of dilutive employee stock options	48
Denominator for diluted EPS	31,469	31,064	31,340	31,033
Common Stock [Member]
Net earnings (loss) per share - basic:
Common Stock	$ 0.06	$ (1.30)	$ (1.66)	$ (2.84)
Net earnings (loss) per share - diluted:
Common Stock	0.06	(1.30)	(1.66)	(2.84)
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Net earnings (loss) per share - basic:
Common Stock	0.05	(1.18)	(1.39)	(2.57)
Net earnings (loss) per share - diluted:
Common Stock	$ 0.05	$ (1.18)	$ (1.39)	$ (2.57)