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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) VEF / $ | Feb. 18, 2016 VEF / $
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 (less than) | 0.01% |
Net monetary assets denominated in Venezuelan bolivar fuerte | $ 22 |
Pre tax charge on cessation of Venezuelan subsidiary | $ 95 |
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 | 15 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 |
Effect of using December 2015 SIMADI Rate |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Exchange rate for translation (in VEF) | VEF / $ | 198.70 |
Pre tax charge on devaluation of venezuelan bolivar fuerte | $ 22 |
Effect of using February 2016 SIMADI Rate |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Pre tax charge on devaluation of venezuelan bolivar fuerte | $ 8 |
Subsequent Event | Effect of using February 2016 SIMADI Rate |  |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Exchange rate for translation (in VEF) | VEF / $ |  | 10.00

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