Share-Based Payments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Minimum grant date fair value of nonqualified stock options as a percentage of the fair value of Mattel's common stock	100.00%
Mattel, Inc. 2010 Equity and Long-Term Compensation Plan expiration date	Mar. 25, 2020
Remaining number of shares of common stock available for grant under the Mattel, Inc. 2010 Equity and Long-Term Compensation Plan	15
Number of shares, plus other considerations, used to determine the maximum number of shares of common stock available for grant under the Mattel, Inc. 2010 Equity and Long-Term Compensation Plan	48mat_SharesAvailableForGrant
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based payments	$ 87,700,000
Weighted average period for unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized (in years)	1 year 9 months 18 days
Share-based compensation	51,993,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	61,651,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	63,277,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted	$ 4.57	$ 8.80	$ 7.32
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	24,100,000	156,600,000	85,800,000
Intrinsic value of stock options outstanding	38,400,000
Weighted average remaining life of stock options outstanding (in years)	7 years 2 months 12 days
Intrinsic value of stock options exercisable	38,300,000
Weighted average remaining life of stock options exercisable (in years)	5 years 7 months 6 days
Stock options vested or expected to vest	10.3
Intrinsic value of stock options vested or expected to vest	38,400,000
Weighted average exercise price of stock options vested or expected to vest	$ 30.66
Weighted average remaining life of stock options vested or expected to vest (in years)	7 years 1 month 6 days
Approximate stock options vested	2
Approximate total grant date fair value of stock options vested	12,000,000	13,000,000	15,000,000
Cash received for stock option exercises	43,299,000	134,506,000	122,296,000
Restricted stock units expected to vest	3.1mat_RestrictedStockUnitsExpectedToVest
Weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock units expected to vest	$ 36.69
Total grant date fair value of restricted stock units vested	42,500,000	32,800,000	29,500,000
Restricted Stock Unit Compensation Expense, Excluding Performance Restricted Stock Unit Compensation Expense
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	39,500,000	38,200,000	35,300,000
Income tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	10,600,000	10,600,000	9,600,000
Performance Restricted Stock Unit Compensation Expense
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation		11,400,000	14,200,000
Income tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements		4,200,000	5,200,000
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation	12,500,000	12,100,000	13,800,000
Income tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	$ 3,500,000	$ 3,800,000	$ 4,500,000
Stock Options \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option expire from date of grant, period	10 years
Nonqualified Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
General vesting period	3 years
Age requirement for accelerated vesting	55
Service period requirement for accelerated vesting	5 years
Accelerated vesting period for individuals who meet the age and service requirements	6 months
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
General vesting period	3 years
Age requirement for accelerated vesting	55
Service period requirement for accelerated vesting	5 years
Accelerated vesting period for individuals who meet the age and service requirements	6 months

Age requirement for accelerated vesting under the 2010 Equity and Long-Term Compensation Plan.

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The date when the 2010 Equity and Long-Term Compensation Plan will expire

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Minimum grant date fair value of nonqualifed stock options as a percentage of the fair value of Mattel's common stock.

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Restricted stock units expected to vest.

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Accelerated vesting period for individuals who meet the age and service requirements.

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Service period requirement for accelerated vesting under the 2010 Equity and Long-Term Compensation Plan.

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Number of shares, plus the number of shares that remained available for issuance under the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan on May 12, 2010, and any shares subject to awards outstanding under the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan that on or after May 12, 2010 are forfeited, used to determine the maximum number of shares of common stock available for grant under the Mattel, Inc. 2010 Equity and Long-Term Compensation Plan.

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Weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock units expected to vest.

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Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

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Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period.

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The cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders exercising their stock options. This item inherently excludes any excess tax benefit, which the entity may have realized and reported separately.

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The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

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Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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Fair value of share-based awards for which the grantee gained the right by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash.

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Period from grant date that an equity-based award expires, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

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Amount of difference between fair value of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise price of vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable.

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Weighted average remaining contractual term for vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable or convertible, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

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The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology.

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Amount by which the current fair value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of options outstanding.

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Weighted average remaining contractual term for option awards outstanding, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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Amount by which the current fair value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of fully vested and expected to vest options outstanding.

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As of the balance sheet date, the number of shares into which fully vested and expected to vest stock options outstanding can be converted under the option plan.

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As of the balance sheet date, the weighted-average exercise price for outstanding stock options that are fully vested or expected to vest.

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Weighted average remaining contractual term for fully vested and expected to vest options outstanding, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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Fair value of options vested. Excludes equity instruments other than options, for example, but not limited to, share units, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock.

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Number of options vested.

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