Revenues	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenues	Revenues Effective January 1, 2018, Mattel adopted ASU 2014-09 and its related amendments (collectively, the "new revenue standards") using the modified retrospective transition method, which was applied to all contracts not completed as of that date. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under the new revenue standards, while prior periods were not adjusted. The cumulative effect of the adoption of the new revenue standards on January 1, 2018 was reflected as a net reduction of approximately $29 million to the opening balance of retained earnings associated with certain licensing contracts. The adoption of the new revenue standards did not have a material impact on Mattel's consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of earnings as of or for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. Revenue Recognition and Sales Adjustments Substantially all of Mattel's revenues continue to be recognized upon shipment or upon receipt of finished goods by the customer, depending on the contract terms. Additionally, Mattel routinely enters into arrangements with its customers to provide sales incentives, support customer promotions, and provide allowances for returns and defective merchandise. Such programs, which can be either contractual or discretionary in nature, are based primarily on customer purchases, customer performance of specified promotional activities, and other specified factors such as sales to consumers. Mattel bases its estimates for these programs on agreed upon customer contract terms as well as historical experience. The costs of these programs are considered variable consideration and are recorded as sales adjustments that reduce gross sales in the period the related sale is recognized. Based on Mattel's analysis of the new revenue standards, revenue recognition from the sale of finished goods to customers, which represents substantially all of Mattel's revenues, was not impacted by the adoption of the new revenue standards. Mattel also enters into symbolic and functional licensing arrangements, whereby the licensee pays Mattel royalties based on sales of licensed product, and in certain cases are subject to minimum guaranteed amounts. The timing of revenue recognition for certain of these licensing arrangements with minimum guarantees changed under the new revenue standards, which under the new revenue standards is based on the determination of whether the license of intellectual property ("IP") is symbolic, which includes the license of Mattel's brands, or functional, which includes the license of Mattel's completed television or streaming content. Revenues from symbolic licenses of IP are recognized based on actual sales when Mattel expects royalties to exceed the minimum guarantee. For symbolic licensing arrangements in which Mattel does not expect royalties to exceed the minimum guarantee, an estimate of the royalties expected to be recouped is recognized on a straight-line basis over the license term. Revenues from functional licenses of IP are recognized once the license period has commenced and the licensee has the ability to use the delivered content. Disaggregated Revenues For a presentation of Mattel's revenues disaggregated by segment, brand, and geography, see "Note 23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Segment Information." Practical Expedient Mattel applied the practical expedient prescribed in the new revenue standards and did not evaluate contracts of one year or less for the existence of a significant financing component. Multi-year contracts were not material.

Revenues

Effective January 1, 2018, Mattel adopted ASU 2014-09 and its related amendments (collectively, the "new revenue standards") using the modified retrospective transition method, which was applied to all contracts not completed as of that date. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under the new revenue standards, while prior periods were not adjusted.

The cumulative effect of the adoption of the new revenue standards on January 1, 2018 was reflected as a net reduction of approximately $29 million to the opening balance of retained earnings associated with certain licensing contracts. The adoption of the new revenue standards did not have a material impact on Mattel's consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of earnings as of or for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Revenue Recognition and Sales Adjustments

Substantially all of Mattel's revenues continue to be recognized upon shipment or upon receipt of finished goods by the customer, depending on the contract terms. Additionally, Mattel routinely enters into arrangements with its customers to provide sales incentives, support customer promotions, and provide allowances for returns and defective merchandise. Such programs, which can be either contractual or discretionary in nature, are based primarily on customer purchases, customer performance of specified promotional activities, and other specified factors such as sales to consumers. Mattel bases its estimates for these programs on agreed upon customer contract terms as well as historical experience. The costs of these programs are considered variable consideration and are recorded as sales adjustments that reduce gross sales in the period the related sale is recognized. Based on Mattel's analysis of the new revenue standards, revenue recognition from the sale of finished goods to customers, which represents substantially all of Mattel's revenues, was not impacted by the adoption of the new revenue standards.

Mattel also enters into symbolic and functional licensing arrangements, whereby the licensee pays Mattel royalties based on sales of licensed product, and in certain cases are subject to minimum guaranteed amounts. The timing of revenue recognition for certain of these licensing arrangements with minimum guarantees changed under the new revenue standards, which under the new revenue standards is based on the determination of whether the license of intellectual property ("IP") is symbolic, which includes the license of Mattel's brands, or functional, which includes the license of Mattel's completed television or streaming content.

Revenues from symbolic licenses of IP are recognized based on actual sales when Mattel expects royalties to exceed the minimum guarantee. For symbolic licensing arrangements in which Mattel does not expect royalties to exceed the minimum guarantee, an estimate of the royalties expected to be recouped is recognized on a straight-line basis over the license term.

Revenues from functional licenses of IP are recognized once the license period has commenced and the licensee has the ability to use the delivered content.

Disaggregated Revenues

For a presentation of Mattel's revenues disaggregated by segment, brand, and geography, see "Note 23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Segment Information."

Practical Expedient

Mattel applied the practical expedient prescribed in the new revenue standards and did not evaluate contracts of one year or less for the existence of a significant financing component. Multi-year contracts were not material.