v3.7.0.1
THE COMPANY AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Investments, Goodwill, Payables, Leases (Details)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
item
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 26, 2013
Investments        
Goodwill $ 3,932,960,000 $ 2,406,691,000 $ 2,289,800,000  
Impairment of goodwill 0 0    
Accounts payable related to checks issued but not yet presented to bank 60,266,000 42,751,000    
Financing lease obligations for failed sale leaseback transactions 533,573,000 74,898,000    
Trademark and trade name        
Investments        
Impairment of trademark and tradename $ 0 $ 0    
Minimum        
Investments        
Lease terms 12 years      
Maximum        
Investments        
Lease terms 15 years      
Additional term for which leases can be extended 20 years      
NCM LLC        
Investments        
Ownership percentage 17.40%     4.00%
SV Holdco        
Investments        
Ownership percentage 16.80%      
SV Holdco | Class A Units        
Investments        
Ownership percentage 0.70%      
SV Holdco | Class C Units        
Investments        
Ownership percentage 16.10%      
DCM        
Investments        
Ownership percentage 50.00%      
AC JV, LLC        
Investments        
Ownership percentage 32.00%      
DCIP        
Investments        
Ownership percentage 29.00%      
DCDC        
Investments        
Ownership percentage 14.60%      
Theatre Partnerships        
Investments        
Ownership percentage 50.00%      
Number of theatres | item 5      
Number of screens | item 1      
Open Road Films        
Investments        
Ownership percentage 50.00%