Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Class A Non-Voting Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Class A Non-Voting Common Stock [Member]	Class B Voting Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Class B Voting Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Class B Voting Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) [Member]	Total Reading International, Inc. Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 216		$ 15	$ 133,906		$ (4,306)	$ (69,479)	$ 7,278	$ 67,630	$ 1,817	$ 69,447
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2008	20,987,000		1,495,000
Net income (loss)							6,094		6,094	388	6,482
Other comprehensive income:
Cumulative foreign exchange rate adjustment								34,130	34,130	141	34,271
Accrued pension service costs								(418)	(418)		(418)
Unrealized gain / (loss) on securities								524	524		524
Total comprehensive income / (loss)									40,330	529	40,859
Stock option and restricted stock compensation expense				916					916		916
Cancelation of treasury shares	(1)			(791)		792
Class A common stock issued for stock bonuses and options exercised				13					13		13
Class A common stock issued for stock bonuses and options exercised, shares	146,000
Contributions from noncontrolling shareholders										175	175
Distributions to noncontrolling shareholders										(1,147)	(1,147)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	215		15	134,044		(3,514)	(63,385)	41,514	108,889	1,374	110,263
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2009	21,133,000		1,495,000
Net income (loss)							(12,650)		(12,650)	616	(12,034)
Other comprehensive income:
Cumulative foreign exchange rate adjustment								15,972	15,972	43	16,015
Accrued pension service costs								112	112		112
Unrealized gain / (loss) on securities								(478)	(478)		(478)
Total comprehensive income / (loss)									2,956	659	3,615
Stock option and restricted stock compensation expense				821					821		821
Purchase of treasury shares						(251)			(251)		(251)
Purchase of treasury shares, shares	(63,000)
Class A common stock issued for stock bonuses and options exercised	1			248					249		249
Class A common stock issued for stock bonuses and options exercised, shares	239,000
Deemed distribution from capital lease				(877)					(877)		(877)
Contributions from noncontrolling shareholders										225	225
Distributions to noncontrolling shareholders										(1,406)	(1,406)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	216	216	15	134,236	15	(3,765)	(76,035)	57,120	111,787	852	112,639
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	21,309,000		1,495,000
Net income (loss)							9,956		9,956	940	10,896
Other comprehensive income:
Cumulative foreign exchange rate adjustment								1,017	1,017	11	1,028
Accrued pension service costs								832	832		832
Unrealized gain / (loss) on securities								(32)	(32)		(32)
Total comprehensive income / (loss)									11,773	951	12,724
Stock option and restricted stock compensation expense	4			935					939		939
Purchase of treasury shares						(747)			(747)		(747)
Purchase of treasury shares, shares	(172,000)
Class A common stock issued for stock bonuses and options exercised, shares	174,000
Cinema sale to noncontrolling shareholder										(147)	(147)
Contributions from noncontrolling shareholders										233	233
Distributions to noncontrolling shareholders										(654)	(654)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 220	$ 220	$ 15	$ 135,171	$ 15	$ (4,512)	$ (66,079)	$ 58,937	$ 123,752	$ 1,235	$ 124,987
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	21,311,000		1,495,000