Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Allowances (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful account		$ 12.8
Income tax valuation allowance	$ 70.9

An allowance for doubtful accounts related to a transaction that was not recognized in the statement of operations as the transaction did not meet the relevant revenue recognition criteria.

No definition available.

Name:	mat_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsNotRecognizedInStatementOfOperations
Namespace Prefix:	mat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant