XML 126 R38.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |
Catalog production and mailing costs amortization period | 3 months
Percentage of Venezuelan subsidiary net sales to Mattel's consolidated net sales, maximum | 0.10%mat_VenezuelanSubsidiaryNetSalesAsPercentageOfConsolidatedNetSalesRangeMaximum
Net monetary assets denominated in Venezuelan bolivar fuerte | $ 22 mat_NetMonetaryAssetsDenominatedInVenezuelanBolivarFuerte
Pre tax charge on devaluation of venezuelan bolivar fuerte | $ 95 mat_PreTaxChargeInStatementOfOperationsIfVenezuelanSubsidiaryCeasesOperations
Maximum |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |
Cash equivalents maturity period | 3 months
Buildings | Maximum |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |
Estimated useful lives, years | 30 years
Buildings | Minimum |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |
Estimated useful lives, years | 10 years
Machinery and equipment | Maximum |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |
Estimated useful lives, years | 10 years
Machinery and equipment | Minimum |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |
Estimated useful lives, years | 3 years
Software | Maximum |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |
Estimated useful lives, years | 10 years
Software | Minimum |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |
Estimated useful lives, years | 3 years
Leasehold improvements | Maximum |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |
Estimated useful lives, years | 20 years
Leasehold improvements | Minimum |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |
Estimated useful lives, years | 10 years
Tools, dies, and molds |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |
Estimated useful lives, years | 3 years

X
- Definition Cash Equivalents, Maturity Period + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mat_CashEquivalentsMaturityPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | mat_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The period over which catalog production and mailing costs are amortized, starting from the date on which the catalogs are mailed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mat_CatalogProductionAndMailingCostsAmortizationPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | mat_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Net monetary assets denominated in Venezuelan bolivar fuerte. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mat_NetMonetaryAssetsDenominatedInVenezuelanBolivarFuerte
Namespace Prefix: | mat_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Pre-tax charge to the consolidated statement of operations if operations of the Venezuelan subsidiary ceases. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mat_PreTaxChargeInStatementOfOperationsIfVenezuelanSubsidiaryCeasesOperations
Namespace Prefix: | mat_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | mat_SignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | mat_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Maximum Venezuelan subsidiary net sales as a percentage of consolidated net sales. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | mat_VenezuelanSubsidiaryNetSalesAsPercentageOfConsolidatedNetSalesRangeMaximum
Namespace Prefix: | mat_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_BuildingMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_OtherMachineryAndEquipmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_ToolsDiesAndMoldsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |