Netflix (NFLX) 10-Q 22 Jul 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'
Entity Registrant Name	'NETFLIX INC
Entity Central Index Key	'0001065280
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	'10-Q
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2
Amendment Flag	'false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	60,091,015

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$1,340,407	$1,069,372	$2,610,496	$2,093,333
Cost of revenues	914,848	760,674	1,784,034	1,497,626
Marketing	120,763	114,611	257,861	233,697
Technology and development	115,182	93,126	225,492	185,101
General and administrative	60,014	43,844	115,914	87,970
Operating income	129,600	57,117	227,195	88,939
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-13,328	-7,528	-23,380	-14,268
Interest and other income (expense)	1,100	-2,940	2,501	-1,963
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	-25,129
Income before income taxes	117,372	46,649	206,316	47,579
Provision for income taxes	46,354	17,178	82,183	15,419
Net income	$71,018	$29,471	$124,133	$32,160
Earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.18	$0.51	$2.07	$0.56
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.15	$0.49	$2.02	$0.53
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	59,996	58,192	59,907	57,089
Diluted (in shares)	61,634	60,590	61,592	60,369

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$71,018	$29,471	$124,133	$32,160
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,918	30	2,379	-2,259
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $51, $(1,239), $342, and $(1,451), respectively	81	-1,985	548	-2,324
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	1,999	-1,955	2,927	-4,583
Comprehensive income	$73,017	$27,516	$127,060	$27,577

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities, tax	$51	($1,239)	$342	($1,451)

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'	'
Net income	$71,018	$29,471	$124,133	$32,160
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'	'
Additions to streaming content library	-813,314	-593,454	-1,562,713	-1,185,395
Change in streaming content liabilities	78,359	7,284	120,603	16,984
Amortization of streaming content library	639,037	510,250	1,239,772	995,990
Amortization of DVD content library	16,923	17,709	33,044	35,946
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles	12,977	12,026	25,359	24,077
Stock-based compensation expense	29,285	17,955	55,110	35,701
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-14,628	-20,368	-47,360	-31,983
Other non-cash items	3,251	1,188	5,447	2,938
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	25,129
Deferred taxes	-16,569	-2,040	-29,672	-8,788
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Other current assets	-20,685	33,762	14,381	28,035
Accounts payable	-3,086	-5,138	19,726	11,881
Accrued expenses	59,008	10,494	58,566	6,362
Deferred revenue	11,315	7,693	25,563	17,099
Other non-current assets and liabilities	3,133	7,111	10,424	15,557
Net cash provided by operating activities	56,024	33,943	92,383	21,693
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'	'
Acquisition of DVD content library	-20,981	-14,023	-35,895	-35,216
Purchases of property and equipment	-19,869	-8,088	-33,203	-20,206
Other assets	1,129	1,087	1,424	5,137
Purchases of short-term investments	-170,908	-146,050	-231,454	-381,673
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments	89,662	33,979	232,710	115,207
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments	92,014	5,410	95,104	9,830
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-28,953	-127,685	28,686	-306,921
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	14,469	28,846	46,917	67,992
Proceeds from issuance of debt	0	0	400,000	500,000
Issuance costs	-353	0	-7,080	-9,414
Redemption of debt	0	0	0	-219,362
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	14,628	20,368	47,360	31,983
Principal payments of lease financing obligations	-271	-255	-538	-658
Net cash provided by financing activities	28,473	48,959	486,659	370,541
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,250	-2,590	1,551	-4,926
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	56,794	-47,373	609,279	80,387
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,157,450	418,051	604,965	290,291
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$1,214,244	$370,678	$1,214,244	$370,678

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,214,244	$604,965
Short-term investments	500,121	595,440
Current content library, net	1,786,341	1,706,421
Other current assets	167,674	151,937
Total current assets	3,668,380	3,058,763
Non-current content library, net	2,348,796	2,091,071
Property and equipment, net	141,715	133,605
Other non-current assets	166,931	129,124
Total assets	6,325,822	5,412,563
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current content liabilities	1,858,020	1,775,983
Accounts payable	137,226	108,435
Accrued expenses	98,548	54,018
Deferred revenue	241,330	215,767
Total current liabilities	2,335,124	2,154,203
Non-current content liabilities	1,390,770	1,345,590
Long-term debt	900,000	500,000
Other non-current liabilities	90,223	79,209
Total liabilities	4,716,117	4,079,002
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)	'	'
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 160,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013; 60,091,015 and 59,607,001 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	60	60
Additional paid-in capital	926,525	777,441
Accumulated other comprehensive income	6,502	3,575
Retained earnings	676,618	552,485
Total stockholders’ equity	1,609,705	1,333,561
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$6,325,822	$5,412,563

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	160,000,000	160,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	60,091,015	59,607,001
Common stock, shares outstanding	60,091,015	59,607,001

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	The accompanying consolidated interim financial statements of Netflix, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S.”) and are consistent in all material respects with those applied in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 3, 2014. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the amortization policy for the streaming content library; the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and liabilities; and the valuation of stock-based compensation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. On a regular basis, the Company evaluates the assumptions, judgments and estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
	The interim financial information is unaudited, but reflects all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the information set forth herein. The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.
	The Company is organized into three operating segments: Domestic streaming, International streaming and Domestic DVD. A majority of the Company’s revenues are generated in the United States, and substantially all of the Company’s long-lived tangible assets are held in the United States. The Company’s revenues are derived from monthly membership fees.
	There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) which amended the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 establishes principles for recognizing revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The amendments may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect the impact to be material.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation in the consolidated financial statements.
	Costs of revenues in the amount of $7.1 million and $17.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, related to free-trial periods that were previously allocated to “Marketing” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations have been reallocated to “Cost of revenues”. There was no impact to contribution profit or net income in any period presented and there was no impact to the Consolidated Balance Sheets or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock and, when dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of shares issuable upon the assumed conversion of the Company’s Senior Convertible Notes (prior to the conversion of such notes in April 2013) and incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options. The computation of earnings per share is as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,			June 30,			June 30,		June 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Basic earnings per share:
	Net income	$	71,018		$	29,471		$	124,133	$	32,160
	Shares used in computation:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	59,996			58,192			59,907		57,089
	Basic earnings per share	$	1.18		$	0.51		$	2.07	$	0.56
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Net income	$	71,018		$	29,471		$	124,133	$	32,160
	Senior Convertible Notes interest expense, net of tax	—			—			—		49
	Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	71,018		$	29,471		$	124,133	$	32,209
	Shares used in computation:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	59,996			58,192			59,907		57,089
	Senior Convertible Notes shares	—			564			—		1,442
	Employee stock options	1,638			1,834			1,685		1,838
	Weighted-average number of shares	61,634			60,590			61,592		60,369
	Diluted earnings per share	$	1.15		$	0.49		$	2.02	$	0.53
	Employee stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common stock were excluded from the diluted calculation as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The following table summarizes the potential common shares excluded from the diluted calculation:
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		June 30,		June 30,			June 30,		June 30,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Employee stock options	99		318			70		384

Shortterm_Investments

Short-term Investments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement [Abstract]	'
Short-term Investments	'
	Short-term Investments
	The Company’s investment policy is consistent with the definition of available-for-sale securities. The Company does not buy and hold securities principally for the purpose of selling them in the near future. The Company’s policy is focused on the preservation of capital, liquidity and return. From time to time, the Company may sell certain securities but the objectives are generally not to generate profits on short-term differences in price. The following tables summarize, by major security type, the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy:
		As of June 30, 2014
		Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair Value
				Gains		Losses
		(in thousands)
	Cash	$	1,113,853	$	—	$	—		$	1,113,853
	Level 1 securities:
	Money market funds	106,094		—		—			106,094
	Level 2 securities:
	Corporate debt securities	309,328		1,266		(17		)	310,577
	Government securities	163,871		311		(1		)	164,181
	Asset backed securities	1,534		1		—			1,535
	Certificate of deposits and commercial paper	23,828		—		—			23,828
	Total (1)	$	1,718,508	$	1,578	$	(18	)	$	1,720,068
		As of December 31, 2013
		Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair Value
				Gains		Losses
		(in thousands)
	Cash	$	483,959	$	—	$	—		$	483,959
	Level 1 securities:
	Money market funds	126,208		—		—			126,208
	Level 2 securities:
	Corporate debt securities	316,465		1,245		(654		)	317,056
	Government securities	143,812		287		(18		)	144,081
	Asset and mortgage-backed securities	93,118		229		(418		)	92,929
	Certificate of deposits	23,425		—		—			23,425
	Agency securities	17,951		—		(2		)	17,949
	Total (2)	$	1,204,938	$	1,761	$	(1,092	)	$	1,205,607
	-1	Includes $1,214.2 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents, $500.1 million included in short-term investments and $5.7 million of restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related to workers compensation deposits.
	-2	Includes $605.0 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents, $595.4 million included in short-term investments and $5.2 million of restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related to workers compensation deposits.
	Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The hierarchy level assigned to each security in the Company’s available-for-sale portfolio and cash equivalents is based on its assessment of the transparency and reliability of the inputs used in the valuation of such instrument at the measurement date. The fair value of available-for-sale securities and cash equivalents included in the Level 1 category is based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market. The fair value of available-for-sale securities included in the Level 2 category is based on observable inputs, such as quoted prices for similar assets at the measurement date; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These values were obtained from an independent pricing service and were evaluated using pricing models that vary by asset class and may incorporate available trade, bid and other market information and price quotes from well-established independent pricing vendors and broker-dealers. The Company's procedures include controls to ensure that appropriate fair values are recorded, such as comparing prices obtained from multiple independent sources. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s debt instruments.
	There were no investments in a material unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013. There were no material other-than-temporary impairments or credit losses related to available-for-sale securities in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. In addition, there were no material gross realized gains or losses in the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	The estimated fair value of short-term investments by contractual maturity as of June 30, 2014 is as follows:
		(in thousands)
	Due within one year	$	134,965
	Due after one year and through 5 years	365,156
	Total short-term investments	$	500,121

Balance_Sheet_Components

Balance Sheet Components	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Balance Sheet Components Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Balance Sheet Components	'
	Balance Sheet Components
	Content Library
	Content library consisted of the following:
		As of
		June 30,				December 31,
		2014				2013
		(in thousands)
	Total content library, gross	$	7,347,867			$	6,474,688
	Accumulated amortization	(3,212,730		)		(2,677,196		)
	Total content library, net	4,135,137				3,797,492
	Current content library, net	1,786,341				1,706,421
	Non-current content library, net	$	2,348,796			$	2,091,071
	Property and Equipment, Net
	Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation consisted of the following:
				As of
				June 30,				December 31,
				2014				2013
				(in thousands)
	Computer equipment		3 years	$	125,264			$	102,867
	Operations and other equipment		5 years	94,109				96,361
	Software		3 years	36,249				36,439
	Furniture and fixtures		3 years	24,010				21,011
	Building		30 years	40,681				40,681
	Leasehold improvements		Over life of lease	54,343				51,194
	Capital work-in-progress			12,149				8,643
	Property and equipment, gross			386,805				357,196
	Less: Accumulated depreciation			(245,090		)		(223,591		)
	Property and equipment, net			$	141,715			$	133,605

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt	'
	Long-term Debt
	Senior Convertible Notes
	In November 2011, the Company issued $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of zero coupon Senior Convertible Notes due on December 1, 2018 (the “Convertible Notes”) in a private placement offering to TCV VII, L.P., TCV VII(A), L.P. and TCV Member Fund, L.P. A general partner of these funds also serves on the Company’s Board of Directors, and as such, the issuance of the notes was considered a related party transaction. At any time following May 28, 2012, the Company could have elected to cause the conversion of the Convertible Notes into shares of the Company’s common stock when specified conditions were satisfied, including that the daily volume weighted-average price of the Company’s common stock was equal to or greater than $111.54 for at least 50 trading days during a 65 trading day period prior to the conversion date.
	In April 2013, after all specified conditions were satisfied, the Company elected to cause the conversion of all outstanding Convertible Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million in accordance with the terms of the Indenture governing such notes. Pursuant to this conversion, the Company issued 2.3 million shares of common stock to the holders of the Convertible Notes at a conversion ratio of 11.6553. The fair market value of one share of common stock on the date of conversion was $216.99 per share.
	5.375% Senior Notes
	In February 2013, the Company issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2021 (the "5.375% Notes"). The 5.375% Notes were issued at par and are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest is payable semi-annually at a rate of 5.375% per annum on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing on August 1, 2013. The 5.375% Notes are repayable in whole or in part upon the occurrence of a change of control, at the option of the holders, at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal plus accrued interest. The Company may redeem the 5.375% Notes prior to maturity in whole or in part at an amount equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest plus a make-whole payment equivalent to the present value of the remaining interest payments through maturity.
	The 5.375% Notes include, among other terms and conditions, limitations on the Company's ability to create, incur or allow certain liens; enter into sale and lease-back transactions; create, assume, incur or guarantee additional indebtedness of the Company's subsidiaries; and consolidate or merge with, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the Company's and its subsidiaries assets, to another person. At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
	In the first quarter of 2013, the Company used $224.5 million of the net proceeds of the 5.375% Notes to redeem the outstanding $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.50% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “8.50% Notes”) and pursuant to the make-whole provision in the Indenture governing the 8.50% Notes, paid a $19.4 million premium and $5.1 million of accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $25.1 million related to redemption of the 8.50% Notes which included the write off of unamortized debt issuance costs of $4.2 million.
	Based on quoted market prices in less active markets (a Level 2 input for this financial instrument), the fair value of the 5.375% Notes as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was approximately $523.8 million and $506.3 million, respectively.
	5.750% Senior Notes
	In February 2014, the Company issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.750% Senior Notes due 2024 (the "5.750% Notes"). The 5.750% Notes were issued at par and are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest is payable semi-annually at a rate of 5.750% per annum on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing on September 1, 2014. The 5.750% Notes are repayable in whole or in part upon the occurrence of a change of control, at the option of the holders, at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal plus accrued interest. The Company may redeem the 5.750% Notes prior to maturity in whole or in part at an amount equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest plus a make-whole payment equivalent to the present value of the remaining interest payments through maturity.
	The 5.750% Notes include, among other terms and conditions, limitations on the Company's ability to create, incur or allow certain liens; enter into sale and lease-back transactions; create, assume, incur or guarantee additional indebtedness of the Company's subsidiaries; and consolidate or merge with, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the Company's and its subsidiaries assets, to another person. At June 30, 2014 the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
	Based on quoted market prices in less active markets (a Level 2 input for this financial instrument), the fair value of the 5.750% Notes as of June 30, 2014 was approximately $418.0 million.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Stockholders’ Equity
	Stock Option Plan
	In June 2011, the Company adopted the 2011 Stock Plan. The 2011 Stock Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options to employees and for the grant of non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units to employees, directors and consultants. As of June 30, 2014, 3.1 million shares were reserved for future grants under the 2011 Stock Plan.
	A summary of the activities related to the Company’s stock option plans is as follows:
				Options Outstanding
		Shares		Number of		Weighted-			Weighted-Average Remaining	Aggregate
		Available		Shares		Average			Contractual Term	Intrinsic Value
		for Grant				Exercise Price			(in Years)	(in Thousands)
	Balances as of December 31, 2013	3,406,317		3,526,898		$	95.25
	Granted	(265,146	)	265,146		387.16
	Exercised			(484,014	)	96.93
	Balances as of June 30, 2014	3,141,171		3,308,030		118.4			5.94	$	1,066,052
	Vested and exercisable at June 30, 2014			3,308,030		118.4			5.94	$	1,066,052
	The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the second quarter of 2014 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on June 30, 2014. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $46.2 million and $68.3 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $147.7 million and $118.3 million, respectively.
	Cash received from option exercises for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $14.5 million and $28.8 million, respectively. Cash received from option exercises for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $46.9 million and $68.0 million, respectively.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value stock option grants using the lattice-binomial model:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30,		June 30,		June 30,		June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Dividend yield	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%
	Expected volatility	45	%	53	%	45% - 48%		53% - 54%
	Risk-free interest rate	2.66	%	1.88	%	2.66% - 2.83%		1.87% - 1.88%
	Suboptimal exercise factor	2.66 - 4.20		2.39 - 3.61		2.66 - 4.20		2.33 - 3.61
	The Company bifurcates its option grants into two employee groupings (executive and non-executive) and considers several factors, including the historical option exercise behavior, the contractual terms and vesting periods of the options granted, in determining the suboptimal exercise factor.
	The weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted during the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $196.93 and $110.67 per share, respectively. The weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $207.85 and $87.87 per share, respectively.
	Stock-based compensation expense related to stock option plans was $29.3 million and $18.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock option plans was $55.1 million and $35.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement related to stock option plans was $11.2 million and $6.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement related to stock option plans was $21.1 million and $13.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	The following tables summarize the changes in accumulated balances of other comprehensive income, net of tax for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014:
		Foreign currency		Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	3,614	$	889		$	4,503
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	1,918		151			2,069
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—		(70		)	(70		)
	Net increase in other comprehensive income	1,918		81			1,999
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	5,532	$	970		$	6,502
		Foreign currency		Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	3,153	$	422		$	3,575
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	2,379		798			3,177
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—		(250		)	(250		)
	Net increase in other comprehensive income	2,379		548			2,927
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	5,532	$	970		$	6,502
	All amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income were related to gains on available-for-sale securities. These reclassifications impacted "Interest and other income (expense)" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The effective tax rates for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were 39% and 37%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were 40% and 32%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to state taxes, foreign taxes and nondeductible expenses. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to state taxes, foreign taxes and nondeductible expenses offset by a discrete benefit recorded for Federal R&D credit. On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (H.R. 8) was signed into law which retroactively extended the Federal R&D credit from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013. As a result, the Company recognized the retroactive benefit of the 2012 Federal R&D credit of approximately $3.1 million as a discrete item in the first quarter of 2013, the period in which the legislation was enacted.
	The increase in our effective tax rates for the three months ended June 30, 2014 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2013 was primarily attributable to the expiration of the Federal R&D tax credit on December 31, 2013. The increase in our effective tax rates for the six months ended June 30, 2014 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2013 was primarily attributable to the expiration of the Federal R&D tax credit on December 31, 2013 and from the discrete item recorded in the first quarter of 2013 related to the retroactive benefit of the 2012 Federal R&D credit.
	Gross unrecognized tax benefits were $78.6 million and $68.2 million as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The gross unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized by the Company, will result in a reduction of approximately $65.4 million to the provision for income taxes thereby favorably impacting the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company’s unrecognized tax benefits are classified as “Other non-current liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company includes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the "Provision for income taxes" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of June 30, 2014, the total amount of gross interest and penalties accrued was $4.4 million, and is classified as “Other non-current liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Deferred tax assets include $19.0 million and $21.5 million classified as “Other current assets” and $100.9 million and $69.1 million classified as “Other non-current assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. In evaluating its ability to realize the net deferred tax assets, the Company considered all available positive and negative evidence, including its past operating results and the forecast of future market growth, forecasted earnings, future taxable income, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, it was considered more likely than not that substantially all deferred tax assets would be realized, and no significant valuation allowance was recorded.
	Income tax benefits attributable to the exercise of employee stock options of $14.6 million and $20.2 million, during the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were recorded directly to "Additional paid-in capital" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Income tax benefits attributable to the exercise of employee stock options of $47.1 million and $31.5 million, during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were recorded directly to "Additional paid-in capital" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The Company files U.S. federal, state and foreign tax returns. The Company is currently under examination by the IRS for the years 2008 through 2011. The IRS has completed its Field Exam of the 2008 and 2009 federal tax returns and has issued a Revenue Agent Report with a proposed assessment primarily related to the Company's R&D Credits claimed in those years. The Company has filed a protest against the proposed assessment and is currently in the midst of the IRS Appeals process. The IRS Field Exam of the 2010 and 2011 federal tax returns is in process. The 2012 federal tax return remains subject to examination by the IRS.
	The Company is also currently under examination by the state of California for the years 2006 and 2007. California has completed its Field Exam of the 2006 and 2007 California tax returns and has issued a Notice of Proposed Assessment primarily related to our R&D Credits claimed in those years. The Company has filed a protest against the proposed assessment and is currently awaiting the commencement of the Protest process with the Franchise Tax Board. The years 1997 through 2005, as well as 2008 through 2012, remain subject to examination by the state of California.
	The Company is currently not under examination in any foreign jurisdiction. The years 2011 through 2013 remain subject to examination by foreign jurisdictions.
	Given the potential outcome of the current examinations, as well as the impact of the current examination on the potential expiration of the statute of limitations, it is reasonably possible that the balance of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change within the next twelve months. However, at this time, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible adjustments to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits cannot be made.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Streaming Content
	At June 30, 2014, the Company had $7.7 billion of obligations comprised of $1.8 billion included in "Current content liabilities" and $1.4 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $4.5 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had $7.3 billion of obligations comprised of $1.8 billion included in "Current content liabilities" and $1.3 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $4.2 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The expected timing of payments for these streaming content obligations is as follows:
		As of
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Less than one year	$	3,304,367	$	2,972,325
	Due after one year and through 3 years	3,732,380		3,266,907
	Due after 3 years and through 5 years	653,408		929,645
	Due after 5 years	37,895		83,284
	Total streaming content obligations	$	7,728,050	$	7,252,161
	A streaming content obligation is incurred at the time the Company enters into a license agreement to obtain future titles. Once a title becomes available, a content liability is generally recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain agreements include the obligation to license rights for unknown future titles, the ultimate quantity and / or fees for which are not yet determinable as of the reporting date. Because the amount is not reasonably estimable, the Company does not include any estimated obligation for these future titles beyond the known minimum amount. However, the unknown obligations are expected to be significant and the expected timing of payments could range from less than one year to more than five years.
	The Company has entered into certain licenses with performing rights organizations ("PROs"), and is currently involved in negotiations with other PROs, that hold certain rights to music and other entertainment works "publicly performed" in connection with streaming content into various territories. Accruals for estimated license fees are recorded and then adjusted based on any change in estimates. These amounts are included in the streaming content obligations. The results of these negotiations are uncertain and may be materially different from management's estimates.
	Legal Proceedings
	From time to time, in the normal course of its operations, the Company is subject to litigation matters and claims, including claims relating to employee relations, business practices and patent infringement. Litigation can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict and the Company's view of these matters may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold. The Company expenses legal fees as incurred. The Company records a provision for contingent losses when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. An unfavorable outcome to any legal matter, if material, could have an adverse effect on the Company's operations or its financial position, liquidity or results of operations.
	On January 13, 2012, the first of three purported shareholder class action lawsuits was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against the Company and certain of its officers and directors. Two additional purported shareholder class action lawsuits were filed in the same court on January 27, 2012 and February 29, 2012 alleging substantially similar claims.  These lawsuits were consolidated into In re Netflix, Inc., Securities Litigation, Case No. 3:12-cv-00225-SC, and the Court selected lead plaintiffs. On June 26, 2012, lead plaintiffs filed a consolidated complaint which alleged violations of the federal securities laws. The Court dismissed the consolidated complaint with leave to amend on February 13, 2013. Lead plaintiffs filed a first amended consolidated complaint on March 22, 2013. The Court dismissed the first amended consolidated complaint with prejudice on August 20, 2013, and judgment was entered on September 27, 2013. Lead plaintiffs filed a motion to alter or amend the judgment and requested leave to file a second amended complaint on October 25, 2013. On January 17, 2014, the Court denied that motion. On February 18, 2014, plaintiffs appealed that decision to the Unites States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable
	On November 23, 2011, the first of six purported shareholder derivative suits was filed in the Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County, against the Company and certain of its officers and directors. Five additional purported shareholder derivative suits were subsequently filed: two in the Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County on February 9, 2012 and May 2, 2012; and three in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on February 13, 2012, February 24, 2012 and April 2, 2012. The purported shareholder derivative suits filed in the Northern District of California have been voluntarily dismissed. On July 5, 2012, the purported shareholder derivative suits filed in Santa Clara County were consolidated into In re Netflix, Inc. Shareholder Derivative Litigation, Case No. 1-12-cv-218399, and lead counsel was appointed. A consolidated complaint was filed on December 4, 2012, with plaintiffs seeking compensatory damages and other relief. The consolidated complaint alleges, among other things, that certain of the Company's current and former officers and directors breached their fiduciary duties, issued false and misleading statements primarily regarding the Company's streaming business, violated accounting rules concerning segment reporting, violated provisions of the California Corporations Code, and wasted corporate assets. The consolidated complaint further alleges that the defendants caused the Company to buy back stock at artificially inflated prices to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders while contemporaneously selling personally held Company stock. The Company filed a demurrer to the consolidated complaint and a motion to stay the derivative litigation in favor of the related federal securities class action on February 4, 2013. On June 21, 2013, the Court granted the motion to stay the derivative litigation pending resolution of the related federal securities class action. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable.
	The Company is involved in other litigation matters not listed above but does not consider the matters to be material either individually or in the aggregate at this time. The Company's view of the matters not listed may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold.
	Indemnification
	In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into contractual arrangements under which it has agreed to provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to business partners and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the Company’s breach of such agreements and out of intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. In these circumstances, payment may be conditional on the other party making a claim pursuant to the procedures specified in the particular contract.
	The Company's obligations under these agreements may be limited in terms of time or amount, and in some instances, the Company may have recourse against third parties for certain payments. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain of its officers that will require it, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. The terms of such obligations vary.
	It is not possible to make a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments under these or similar agreements due to the conditional nature of the Company’s obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. No amount has been accrued in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnification obligations.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	The Company has three operating segments: Domestic streaming, International streaming and Domestic DVD. Segment information is presented along the same lines that the Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews the operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews revenues and contribution profit (loss) for each of the reportable segments. Contribution profit (loss) is defined as revenues less cost of revenues and marketing expenses directly incurred by the segment.
	The Domestic and International streaming segments derive revenues from monthly membership fees for services consisting solely of streaming content. The Domestic DVD segment derives revenues from monthly membership fees for services consisting solely of DVD-by-mail. Revenues and the related payment card fees are attributed to the operating segment based on the nature of the underlying membership (streaming or DVD) and the geographic region from which the membership originates. There are no internal revenue transactions between the Company’s reporting segments.
	Cost of revenues are primarily attributed to the operating segment based on the amounts directly incurred by the segment to obtain content and deliver it to the specific region. Marketing expenses are primarily comprised of advertising expenses which are generally included in the segment in which the expenditures are directly incurred.
	The Company's long-lived tangible assets were located as follows:
		As of
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	United States	$	133,451	$	126,455
	International	8,264		7,150
	The following tables represent segment information for the quarter ended June 30, 2014:
		As of/ Three months ended June 30, 2014
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	36,244		13,801			6,261		—
	Revenues	$	838,225	$	307,461		$	194,721	$	1,340,407
	Cost of revenues	546,223		266,697			101,928		914,848
	Marketing	64,727		56,036			—		120,763
	Contribution profit (loss)	$	227,275	$	(15,272	)	$	92,793	$	304,796
	Other operating expenses								175,196
	Operating income								129,600
	Other income (expense)								(12,228		)
	Provision for income taxes								46,354
	Net income								$	71,018
		As of/ Six months ended June 30, 2014
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	36,244		13,801			6,261		—
	Revenues	$	1,636,842	$	574,579		$	399,075	$	2,610,496
	Cost of revenues	1,063,317		511,964			208,753		1,784,034
	Marketing	144,985		112,876			—		257,861
	Contribution profit (loss)	$	428,540	$	(50,261	)	$	190,322	$	568,601
	Other operating expenses								341,406
	Operating income								227,195
	Other income (expense)								(20,879		)
	Provision for income taxes								82,183
	Net income								$	124,133
	The following tables represent segment information for the quarter ended June 30, 2013:
		As of/ Three months ended June 30, 2013
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	29,807		7,747			7,508		—
	Revenues	$	671,089	$	165,902		$	232,381	$	1,069,372
	Cost of revenues	452,598		184,400			123,676		760,674
	Marketing	67,177		47,335			99		114,611
	Contribution profit (loss)	$	151,314	$	(65,833	)	$	108,606	$	194,087
	Other operating expenses								136,970
	Operating income								57,117
	Other income (expense)								(10,468		)
	Provision for income taxes								17,178
	Net income								$	29,471
		As of/ Six months ended June 30, 2013
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	29,807		7,747			7,508		—
	Revenues	$	1,309,738	$	307,921		$	475,674	$	2,093,333
	Cost of revenues	892,932		351,292			253,402		1,497,626
	Marketing	134,142		99,382			173		233,697
Contribution profit (loss)	$	282,664	$	(142,753	)	$	222,099	$	362,010
Other operating expenses								273,071
Operating income								88,939
Other income (expense)								(41,360		)
Provision for income taxes								15,419
Net income								$	32,160
The following table represents the amortization of the content library:
	Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
	Streaming		Streaming			DVD
Three months ended June 30,	(in thousands)
2014	$	409,896	$	229,141		$	16,923	$	655,960
2013	344,441		165,809			17,709		527,959
Six months ended June 30,
2014	796,211		443,561			33,044		1,272,816
2013	680,189		315,801			35,946		1,031,936
The following table represents total content library, net:
	Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
	Streaming		Streaming			DVD
	(in thousands)
As of June 30, 2014	$	3,196,275	$	914,239		$	24,623	$	4,135,137
As of December 31, 2013	2,973,023		804,690			19,779		3,797,492
-1	A membership (also referred to as a subscription) is defined as the right to receive either the Netflix streaming service or Netflix DVD service. Memberships are assigned to territories based on the geographic location used at time of sign up as determined by the Company's internal systems, which utilize industry standard geo-location technology. The Company offers free-trial memberships to new and certain rejoining members. For inclusion in the definition of a member in the above metrics, a method of payment is required to be provided even during the free-trial period. Total members therefore include those who are on a free-trial and have provided a method of payment. A membership would be canceled and cease to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the monthly membership period, while involuntary cancellation of the service, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomes effective immediately.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ1

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Use of Estimates	'
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the amortization policy for the streaming content library; the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and liabilities; and the valuation of stock-based compensation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. On a regular basis, the Company evaluates the assumptions, judgments and estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation Of Net Income Per Share	'
	The computation of earnings per share is as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,			June 30,			June 30,		June 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Basic earnings per share:
	Net income	$	71,018		$	29,471		$	124,133	$	32,160
	Shares used in computation:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	59,996			58,192			59,907		57,089
	Basic earnings per share	$	1.18		$	0.51		$	2.07	$	0.56
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Net income	$	71,018		$	29,471		$	124,133	$	32,160
	Senior Convertible Notes interest expense, net of tax	—			—			—		49
	Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	71,018		$	29,471		$	124,133	$	32,209
	Shares used in computation:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	59,996			58,192			59,907		57,089
	Senior Convertible Notes shares	—			564			—		1,442
	Employee stock options	1,638			1,834			1,685		1,838
	Weighted-average number of shares	61,634			60,590			61,592		60,369
	Diluted earnings per share	$	1.15		$	0.49		$	2.02	$	0.53
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	'
	The following table summarizes the potential common shares excluded from the diluted calculation:
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		June 30,		June 30,			June 30,		June 30,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Employee stock options	99		318			70		384

Shortterm_Investments_Tables

Short-term Investments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement [Abstract]	'
Available-For-Sale Securities Reported At Fair Value	'
	The following tables summarize, by major security type, the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy:
		As of June 30, 2014
		Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair Value
				Gains		Losses
		(in thousands)
	Cash	$	1,113,853	$	—	$	—		$	1,113,853
	Level 1 securities:
	Money market funds	106,094		—		—			106,094
	Level 2 securities:
	Corporate debt securities	309,328		1,266		(17		)	310,577
	Government securities	163,871		311		(1		)	164,181
	Asset backed securities	1,534		1		—			1,535
	Certificate of deposits and commercial paper	23,828		—		—			23,828
	Total (1)	$	1,718,508	$	1,578	$	(18	)	$	1,720,068
		As of December 31, 2013
		Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair Value
				Gains		Losses
		(in thousands)
	Cash	$	483,959	$	—	$	—		$	483,959
	Level 1 securities:
	Money market funds	126,208		—		—			126,208
	Level 2 securities:
	Corporate debt securities	316,465		1,245		(654		)	317,056
	Government securities	143,812		287		(18		)	144,081
	Asset and mortgage-backed securities	93,118		229		(418		)	92,929
	Certificate of deposits	23,425		—		—			23,425
	Agency securities	17,951		—		(2		)	17,949
	Total (2)	$	1,204,938	$	1,761	$	(1,092	)	$	1,205,607
	-1	Includes $1,214.2 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents, $500.1 million included in short-term investments and $5.7 million of restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related to workers compensation deposits.
	-2	Includes $605.0 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents, $595.4 million included in short-term investments and $5.2 million of restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related to workers compensation deposits.
Estimated Fair Value Of Short-Term Investments By Contractual Maturity	'
	The estimated fair value of short-term investments by contractual maturity as of June 30, 2014 is as follows:
		(in thousands)
	Due within one year	$	134,965
	Due after one year and through 5 years	365,156
	Total short-term investments	$	500,121

Balance_Sheet_Components_Table

Balance Sheet Components (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Balance Sheet Components Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Content Library	'
	Content library consisted of the following:
		As of
		June 30,				December 31,
		2014				2013
		(in thousands)
	Total content library, gross	$	7,347,867			$	6,474,688
	Accumulated amortization	(3,212,730		)		(2,677,196		)
	Total content library, net	4,135,137				3,797,492
	Current content library, net	1,786,341				1,706,421
	Non-current content library, net	$	2,348,796			$	2,091,071
Property And Equipment, Net	'
	Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation consisted of the following:
				As of
				June 30,				December 31,
				2014				2013
				(in thousands)
	Computer equipment		3 years	$	125,264			$	102,867
	Operations and other equipment		5 years	94,109				96,361
	Software		3 years	36,249				36,439
	Furniture and fixtures		3 years	24,010				21,011
	Building		30 years	40,681				40,681
	Leasehold improvements		Over life of lease	54,343				51,194
	Capital work-in-progress			12,149				8,643
	Property and equipment, gross			386,805				357,196
	Less: Accumulated depreciation			(245,090		)		(223,591		)
	Property and equipment, net			$	141,715			$	133,605

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary Of Activity Related To Stock Option Plans	'
	A summary of the activities related to the Company’s stock option plans is as follows:
				Options Outstanding
		Shares		Number of		Weighted-			Weighted-Average Remaining	Aggregate
		Available		Shares		Average			Contractual Term	Intrinsic Value
		for Grant				Exercise Price			(in Years)	(in Thousands)
	Balances as of December 31, 2013	3,406,317		3,526,898		$	95.25
	Granted	(265,146	)	265,146		387.16
	Exercised			(484,014	)	96.93
	Balances as of June 30, 2014	3,141,171		3,308,030		118.4			5.94	$	1,066,052
	Vested and exercisable at June 30, 2014			3,308,030		118.4			5.94	$	1,066,052
Summary Of Assumptions Used To Value Stock Option Grants Using Lattice-Binomial Model	'
	The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value stock option grants using the lattice-binomial model:
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30,		June 30,		June 30,		June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Dividend yield	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%
	Expected volatility	45	%	53	%	45% - 48%		53% - 54%
	Risk-free interest rate	2.66	%	1.88	%	2.66% - 2.83%		1.87% - 1.88%
	Suboptimal exercise factor	2.66 - 4.20		2.39 - 3.61		2.66 - 4.20		2.33 - 3.61

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The following tables summarize the changes in accumulated balances of other comprehensive income, net of tax for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014:
		Foreign currency		Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	3,614	$	889		$	4,503
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	1,918		151			2,069
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—		(70		)	(70		)
	Net increase in other comprehensive income	1,918		81			1,999
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	5,532	$	970		$	6,502
		Foreign currency		Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	3,153	$	422		$	3,575
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	2,379		798			3,177
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—		(250		)	(250		)
	Net increase in other comprehensive income	2,379		548			2,927
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	5,532	$	970		$	6,502

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Expected Timing Of Payments For Commitments	'
	The expected timing of payments for these streaming content obligations is as follows:
		As of
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Less than one year	$	3,304,367	$	2,972,325
	Due after one year and through 3 years	3,732,380		3,266,907
	Due after 3 years and through 5 years	653,408		929,645
	Due after 5 years	37,895		83,284
	Total streaming content obligations	$	7,728,050	$	7,252,161

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Long-lived Assets by Geographic Areas	'
	The Company's long-lived tangible assets were located as follows:
		As of
		June 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	United States	$	133,451	$	126,455
	International	8,264		7,150
Information On Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income	'
	The following tables represent segment information for the quarter ended June 30, 2014:
		As of/ Three months ended June 30, 2014
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	36,244		13,801			6,261		—
	Revenues	$	838,225	$	307,461		$	194,721	$	1,340,407
	Cost of revenues	546,223		266,697			101,928		914,848
	Marketing	64,727		56,036			—		120,763
	Contribution profit (loss)	$	227,275	$	(15,272	)	$	92,793	$	304,796
	Other operating expenses								175,196
	Operating income								129,600
	Other income (expense)								(12,228		)
	Provision for income taxes								46,354
	Net income								$	71,018
		As of/ Six months ended June 30, 2014
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	36,244		13,801			6,261		—
	Revenues	$	1,636,842	$	574,579		$	399,075	$	2,610,496
	Cost of revenues	1,063,317		511,964			208,753		1,784,034
	Marketing	144,985		112,876			—		257,861
	Contribution profit (loss)	$	428,540	$	(50,261	)	$	190,322	$	568,601
	Other operating expenses								341,406
	Operating income								227,195
	Other income (expense)								(20,879		)
	Provision for income taxes								82,183
	Net income								$	124,133
	The following tables represent segment information for the quarter ended June 30, 2013:
		As of/ Three months ended June 30, 2013
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	29,807		7,747			7,508		—
	Revenues	$	671,089	$	165,902		$	232,381	$	1,069,372
	Cost of revenues	452,598		184,400			123,676		760,674
	Marketing	67,177		47,335			99		114,611
	Contribution profit (loss)	$	151,314	$	(65,833	)	$	108,606	$	194,087
	Other operating expenses								136,970
	Operating income								57,117
	Other income (expense)								(10,468		)
	Provision for income taxes								17,178
	Net income								$	29,471
		As of/ Six months ended June 30, 2013
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	29,807		7,747			7,508		—
	Revenues	$	1,309,738	$	307,921		$	475,674	$	2,093,333
	Cost of revenues	892,932		351,292			253,402		1,497,626
	Marketing	134,142		99,382			173		233,697
	Contribution profit (loss)	$	282,664	$	(142,753	)	$	222,099	$	362,010
	Other operating expenses								273,071
	Operating income								88,939
	Other income (expense)								(41,360		)
	Provision for income taxes								15,419
	Net income								$	32,160
	The following table represents the amortization of the content library:
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
	Three months ended June 30,	(in thousands)
	2014	$	409,896	$	229,141		$	16,923	$	655,960
2013	344,441		165,809			17,709		527,959
Six months ended June 30,
2014	796,211		443,561			33,044		1,272,816
2013	680,189		315,801			35,946		1,031,936
The following table represents total content library, net:
	Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
	Streaming		Streaming			DVD
	(in thousands)
As of June 30, 2014	$	3,196,275	$	914,239		$	24,623	$	4,135,137
As of December 31, 2013	2,973,023		804,690			19,779		3,797,492
-1	A membership (also referred to as a subscription) is defined as the right to receive either the Netflix streaming service or Netflix DVD service. Memberships are assigned to territories based on the geographic location used at time of sign up as determined by the Company's internal systems, which utilize industry standard geo-location technology. The Company offers free-trial memberships to new and certain rejoining members. For inclusion in the definition of a member in the above metrics, a method of payment is required to be provided even during the free-trial period. Total members therefore include those who are on a free-trial and have provided a method of payment. A membership would be canceled and cease to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the monthly membership period, while involuntary cancellation of the service, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomes effective immediately.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ2

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
	segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Number of Operating Segments	3

Reclassifications_Schedule_of_

Reclassifications Schedule of Marketing and General and Administrative Expenses Reclassified (Details) (Marketing Expenses Reclassified to Costs of Revenues [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013
Marketing Expenses Reclassified to Costs of Revenues [Member]	'	'
Costs of free trials allocated to marketing reclassified to cost of revenues	$7.10	$17.20

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation

Earnings Per Share - Computation Of Net Income Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Basic earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Net income	$71,018	$29,471	$124,133	$32,160
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	59,996	58,192	59,907	57,089
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$1.18	$0.51	$2.07	$0.56
Diluted earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Net income	71,018	29,471	124,133	32,160
Senior Convertible Notes interest expense, net of tax	0	0	0	49
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$71,018	$29,471	$124,133	$32,209
Shares used in computation:	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	59,996	58,192	59,907	57,089
Senior Convertible Notes shares	0	564	0	1,442
Employee stock options	1,638	1,834	1,685	1,838
Weighted-average number of shares - Diluted	61,634	60,590	61,592	60,369
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$1.15	$0.49	$2.02	$0.53

Earnings_Per_Share_Schedule_of

Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share (Details) (Employee stock options [Member])	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Employee stock options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	99	318	70	384

Shortterm_Investments_Availabl

Short-term Investments - Available-For-Sale Securities Reported At Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Total, Amortized Cost	$1,718,508	[1]	$1,204,938	[2]
Total, Unrealized Gains	1,578	[1]	1,761	[2]
Total, Unrealized Losses	-18	[1]	-1,092	[2]
Total, Estimated Fair Value	1,720,068	[1]	1,205,607	[2]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Total, Estimated Fair Value	1,214,200		605,000
Short-term Investments [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Total, Estimated Fair Value	500,100		595,400
Non-current Assets [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Total, Estimated Fair Value	5,700		5,200
Level 1 Securities [Member] | Money market funds [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cash, Money market and Government and agency securities classified as cash equivalents, Amortized Cost	106,094		126,208
Cash, Money market and Government and agency securities classified as cash equivalents, Gross Unrealized Gains	0		0
Cash, Money market and Government and agency securities classified as cash equivalents, Gross Unrealized Losses	0		0
Cash, Money market and Government and agency securities classified as cash equivalents, Estimated Fair Value	106,094		126,208
Level 2 Securities [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	309,328		316,465
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,266		1,245
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-17		-654
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated Fair Value	310,577		317,056
Level 2 Securities [Member] | Government securities [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	163,871		143,812
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	311		287
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-1		-18
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated Fair Value	164,181		144,081
Level 2 Securities [Member] | Asset and mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	1,534		93,118
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1		229
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0		-418
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated Fair Value	1,535		92,929
Level 2 Securities [Member] | Certificates of deposits and commercial paper [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	23,828		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	0		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated Fair Value	23,828		'
Level 2 Securities [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	'		23,425
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated Fair Value	'		23,425
Level 2 Securities [Member] | Agency securities [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	'		17,951
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'		-2
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated Fair Value	'		17,949
Cash [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cash, Money market and Government and agency securities classified as cash equivalents, Amortized Cost	1,113,853		483,959
Cash, Money market and Government and agency securities classified as cash equivalents, Gross Unrealized Gains	0		0
Cash, Money market and Government and agency securities classified as cash equivalents, Gross Unrealized Losses	0		0
Cash, Money market and Government and agency securities classified as cash equivalents, Estimated Fair Value	$1,113,853		$483,959
[1]	Includes $1,214.2 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents, $500.1 million included in short-term investments and $5.7 million of restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related to workers compensation deposits.
[2]	Includes $605.0 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents, $595.4 million included in short-term investments and $5.2 million of restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related to workers compensation deposits.

Shortterm_Investments_Estimate

Short-term Investments - Estimated Fair Value Of Short-Term Investments By Contractual Maturity (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement [Abstract]	'
Due within one year	$134,965
Due after one year and through 5 years	365,156
Total short-term investments	$500,121

Balance_Sheet_Components_Compo

Balance Sheet Components - Components of Content Library (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance Sheet Components Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Total content library, gross	$7,347,867	$6,474,688
Accumulated amortization	-3,212,730	-2,677,196
Total content library, net	4,135,137	3,797,492
Current content library, net	1,786,341	1,706,421
Non-current content library, net	$2,348,796	$2,091,071

Balance_Sheet_Components_Prope

Balance Sheet Components - Property And Equipment And Accumulated Depreciation (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$386,805	$357,196
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-245,090	-223,591
Property and equipment, net	141,715	133,605
Computer equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years	'
Property and equipment, gross	125,264	102,867
Operations and other equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'5 years	'
Property and equipment, gross	94,109	96,361
Software [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years	'
Property and equipment, gross	36,249	36,439
Furniture and fixtures [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years	'
Property and equipment, gross	24,010	21,011
Building [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'30 years	'
Property and equipment, gross	40,681	40,681
Leasehold improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	54,343	51,194
Capital work-in-progress [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$12,149	$8,643

Longterm_Debt_Senior_Convertib

Long-term Debt - Senior Convertible Notes - Narrative (Details) (Director [Member], Convertible Debt [Member], Senior Convertible Note [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	28-May-12	Apr. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term debt due to related party	'	$200,000,000	$200,000,000
Interest rate	'	'	0.00%
Weighted average price of common stock	$111.54	'	'
Common stock, shares issued	'	2.3	'
Common stock conversion ratio	'	11.6553	'
Fair value at conversion	'	$217	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Trading days prior to conversion date required for conversion	'50 days	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Trading days prior to conversion date required for conversion	'65 days	'	'

Longterm_Debt_Senior_Notes_Nar

Long-term Debt - Senior Notes - Narrative (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Feb. 28, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

5.375% Senior Notes [Member]

5.375% Senior Notes [Member]

5.375% Senior Notes [Member]

5.375% Senior Notes [Member]

5.375% Senior Notes [Member]

8.50% Senior Notes [Member]

5.750% Senior Notes [Member]

5.750% Senior Notes [Member]

5.750% Senior Notes [Member]

Level 2 Securities [Member]

Level 2 Securities [Member]

Level 2 Securities [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Face amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

$500,000,000

'

'

$200,000,000

'

$400,000,000

'

Interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.38%

'

'

8.50%

'

5.75%

'

Redemption prices, percent of outstanding principal

'

'

'

'

'

101.00%

'

'

'

'

101.00%

'

'

Repayments

0

0

0

219,362,000

224,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Make-whole premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,400,000

'

'

'

Interest payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,100,000

'

'

'

Loss on extinguishment of debt

0

0

0

-25,129,000

'

'

'

'

'

25,100,000

'

'

'

Write off of unamortized deferred financing costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,200,000

'

'

'

Senior notes, fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$523,800,000

$506,300,000

'

'

'

$418,000,000

Stockholders_Equity_Narrative_

Stockholders' Equity - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
			employee_group
Components of Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$46,200,000	$68,300,000	$147,700,000	$118,300,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	14,469,000	28,846,000	46,917,000	67,992,000
Number of employee groups	'	'	2	'
Weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted per share	$196.93	$110.67	$207.85	$87.87
Stock-based compensation expense	29,300,000	18,000,000	55,100,000	35,700,000
Income tax benefit	$11,200,000	$6,900,000	$21,100,000	$13,700,000
2011 Stock Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Components of Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Shares reserved for future issuance	3.1	'	3.1	'

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_Of

Stockholders' Equity - Summary Of Activity Related To Stock Option Plans (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'
Shares Available for Grant, Beginning Balance	3,406,317
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	3,526,898
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares, Granted	265,146
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares, Exercised	-484,014
Shares Available for Grant, Ending Balance	3,141,171
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares, Ending Balance	3,308,030
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares, Vested and exercisable	3,308,030
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$95.25
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted	$387.16
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$96.93
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance	$118.40
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Vested and exercisable	$118.40
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Ending Balance	'5 years 11 months 9 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Vested and exercisable	'5 years 11 months 9 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Ending Balance	$1,066,052
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and exercisable	$1,066,052

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_Of1

Stockholders' Equity - Summary Of Assumptions Used To Value Stock Option Grants Using Lattice-Binomial Model (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility, minimum	'	'	45.00%	53.00%
Expected volatility	45.00%	53.00%	'	'
Expected volatility, maximum	'	'	48.00%	54.00%
Risk free interest rate, minimum	'	'	2.66%	1.87%
Risk-free interest rate	2.66%	1.88%	'	'
Risk free interest rate, maximum	'	'	2.83%	1.88%
Suboptimal exercise factor, minimum	2.66	2.39	2.66	2.33
Suboptimal exercise factor, maximum	4.2	3.61	4.2	3.61

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	$4,503	$3,575
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	2,069	3,177
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	-70	-250
Net increase in other comprehensive income	1,999	2,927
Ending balance	6,502	6,502
Foreign currency [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	3,614	3,153
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	1,918	2,379
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0
Net increase in other comprehensive income	1,918	2,379
Ending balance	5,532	5,532
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	889	422
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	151	798
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	-70	-250
Net increase in other comprehensive income	81	548
Ending balance	$970	$970

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rates	39.00%	37.00%	'	40.00%	32.00%	'
2012 Federal R&D credit recognized	'	'	$3.10	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	78.6	'	'	78.6	'	68.2
Reduction in provision for income taxes due to impact of effective tax rate	65.4	'	'	65.4	'	'
Gross interest and penalties accrued	4.4	'	'	4.4	'	'
Deferred tax assets, other current assets	19	'	'	19	'	21.5
Deferred tax assets, other non-current assets	100.9	'	'	100.9	'	69.1
Income tax benefits attributable to the exercise of employee stock options recorded directly to Additional paid-in-capital	$14.60	$20.20	'	$47.10	$31.50	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Streaming Content Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]	'	'
Total streaming content obligations	$7,728,050,000	$7,252,161,000
Unrecorded streaming obligations	4,500,000,000	4,200,000,000
Current Content Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]	'	'
Recorded streaming obligations	1,800,000,000	1,800,000,000
Non-current Content Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]	'	'
Recorded streaming obligations	$1,400,000,000	$1,300,000,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Expected Timing Of Payments For Commitments (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Less than one year	$3,304,367	$2,972,325
Due after one year and through 3 years	3,732,380	3,266,907
Due after 3 years and through 5 years	653,408	929,645
Due after 5 years	37,895	83,284
Total streaming content obligations	$7,728,050	$7,252,161

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies - Legal Proceedings Narrative (Details) (Pending Litigation [Member])	Apr. 02, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	Feb. 24, 2012	Feb. 13, 2012	Jan. 27, 2012	Jan. 13, 2012	2-May-12	Feb. 09, 2012	Nov. 23, 2011
	United States District Court for the Northern District of California [Member]	United States District Court for the Northern District of California [Member]	United States District Court for the Northern District of California [Member]	United States District Court for the Northern District of California [Member]	United States District Court for the Northern District of California [Member]	United States District Court for the Northern District of California [Member]	Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County [Member]	Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County [Member]	Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County [Member]
	lawsuits_filed	lawsuits_filed	lawsuits_filed	lawsuits_filed	lawsuits_filed	lawsuits_filed	lawsuits_filed	lawsuits_filed	lawsuits_filed
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1

Segment_Information_Narrative_

Segment Information - Narrative (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
	segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of Operating Segments	3

Segment_Information_Longlived_

Segment Information - Long-lived Assets by Geographical Areas (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
United States [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Long-Lived Assets	$133,451	$126,455
International [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Long-Lived Assets	$8,264	$7,150

Segment_Information_Informatio

Segment Information - Information On Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
	subscription		subscription		subscription		subscription
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Total members at end of period	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	'
Revenues	$1,340,407		$1,069,372		$2,610,496		$2,093,333		'
Cost of revenues	914,848		760,674		1,784,034		1,497,626		'
Marketing	120,763		114,611		257,861		233,697		'
Contribution profit (loss)	304,796		194,087		568,601		362,010		'
Other operating expenses	175,196		136,970		341,406		273,071		'
Operating income	129,600		57,117		227,195		88,939		'
Other income (expense)	-12,228		-10,468		-20,879		-41,360		'
Provision for income taxes	46,354		17,178		82,183		15,419		'
Net income	71,018		29,471		124,133		32,160		'
Amortization of content library	655,960		527,959		1,272,816		1,031,936		'
Total content library, net	4,135,137		'		4,135,137		'		3,797,492
Domestic Streaming [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Total members at end of period	36,244,000	[1]	29,807,000	[1]	36,244,000	[1]	29,807,000	[1]	'
Revenues	838,225		671,089		1,636,842		1,309,738		'
Cost of revenues	546,223		452,598		1,063,317		892,932		'
Marketing	64,727		67,177		144,985		134,142		'
Contribution profit (loss)	227,275		151,314		428,540		282,664		'
Amortization of content library	409,896		344,441		796,211		680,189		'
Total content library, net	3,196,275		'		3,196,275		'		2,973,023
International Streaming [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Total members at end of period	13,801,000	[1]	7,747,000	[1]	13,801,000	[1]	7,747,000	[1]	'
Revenues	307,461		165,902		574,579		307,921		'
Cost of revenues	266,697		184,400		511,964		351,292		'
Marketing	56,036		47,335		112,876		99,382		'
Contribution profit (loss)	-15,272		-65,833		-50,261		-142,753		'
Amortization of content library	229,141		165,809		443,561		315,801		'
Total content library, net	914,239		'		914,239		'		804,690
Domestic DVD [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Total members at end of period	6,261,000	[1]	7,508,000	[1]	6,261,000	[1]	7,508,000	[1]	'
Revenues	194,721		232,381		399,075		475,674		'
Cost of revenues	101,928		123,676		208,753		253,402		'
Marketing	0		99		0		173		'
Contribution profit (loss)	92,793		108,606		190,322		222,099		'
Amortization of content library	16,923		17,709		33,044		35,946		'
Total content library, net	$24,623		'		$24,623		'		$19,779
[1]	A membership (also referred to as a subscription) is defined as the right to receive either the Netflix streaming service or Netflix DVD service. Memberships are assigned to territories based on the geographic location used at time of sign up as determined by the Company's internal systems, which utilize industry standard geo-location technology. The Company offers free-trial memberships to new and certain rejoining members. For inclusion in the definition of a member in the above metrics, a method of payment is required to be provided even during the free-trial period. Total members therefore include those who are on a free-trial and have provided a method of payment. A membership would be canceled and cease to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the monthly membership period, while involuntary cancellation of the service, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomes effective immediately.