Netflix (NFLX) 10-Q 20 Oct 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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-Sep-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3
Amendment Flag	'false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	60,246,379

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$1,409,432	$1,105,999	$4,019,928	$3,199,332
Cost of revenues	954,394	798,900	2,738,428	2,296,526
Marketing	145,654	108,228	403,515	341,925
Technology and development	120,953	95,540	346,445	280,641
General and administrative	78,024	46,211	193,938	134,181
Operating income	110,407	57,120	337,602	146,059
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-13,486	-7,436	-36,866	-21,704
Interest and other income (expense)	616	-193	3,117	-2,156
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	-25,129
Income before income taxes	97,537	49,491	303,853	97,070
Provision for income taxes	38,242	17,669	120,425	33,088
Net income	$59,295	$31,822	$183,428	$63,982
Earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.99	$0.54	$3.06	$1.11
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.96	$0.52	$2.97	$1.06
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	60,171	59,108	59,996	57,769
Diluted (in shares)	61,820	60,990	61,669	60,578

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$59,295	$31,822	$183,428	$63,982
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-4,354	2,409	-1,975	150
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $(313), $515, $28, and $(936), respectively	-503	825	45	-1,499
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-4,857	3,234	-1,930	-1,349
Comprehensive income	$54,438	$35,056	$181,498	$62,633

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities, tax	($313)	$515	$28	($936)

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'	'
Net income	$59,295	$31,822	$183,428	$63,982
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:	'	'	'	'
Additions to streaming content library	-1,202,484	-878,314	-2,765,197	-2,063,709
Change in streaming content liabilities	346,752	310,191	467,355	327,175
Amortization of streaming content library	686,154	553,394	1,925,926	1,549,384
Amortization of DVD content library	18,269	17,546	51,313	53,492
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles	14,357	11,452	39,716	35,529
Stock-based compensation expense	29,878	18,477	84,988	54,178
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-21,060	-20,492	-68,420	-52,475
Other non-cash items	3,360	1,994	8,807	4,932
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	25,129
Deferred taxes	-7,892	-2,424	-37,564	-11,212
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Other current assets	12,960	9,920	27,341	37,955
Accounts payable	13,003	-5,877	32,729	6,004
Accrued expenses	-6,980	-11,451	51,586	-5,089
Deferred revenue	11,626	9,252	37,189	26,351
Other non-current assets and liabilities	5,323	-10,797	15,747	4,760
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-37,439	34,693	54,944	56,386
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'	'
Acquisition of DVD content library	-15,530	-15,471	-51,425	-50,687
Purchases of property and equipment	-21,032	-10,828	-54,235	-31,034
Other assets	341	-1,329	1,765	3,808
Purchases of short-term investments	-123,883	-116,116	-355,337	-497,789
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments	107,568	81,185	340,278	196,392
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments	32,125	48,890	127,229	58,720
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	-20,411	-13,669	8,275	-320,590
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	9,877	25,561	56,794	93,553
Proceeds from issuance of debt	0	0	400,000	500,000
Issuance costs	0	0	-7,080	-9,414
Redemption of debt	0	0	0	-219,362
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	21,060	20,492	68,420	52,475
Principal payments of lease financing obligations	-275	-258	-813	-916
Net cash provided by financing activities	30,662	45,795	517,321	416,336
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-3,839	1,559	-2,288	-3,367
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-31,027	68,378	578,252	148,765
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,214,244	370,678	604,965	290,291
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$1,183,217	$439,056	$1,183,217	$439,056

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,183,217	$604,965
Short-term investments	483,602	595,440
Current content library, net	2,006,981	1,706,421
Other current assets	149,682	151,937
Total current assets	3,823,482	3,058,763
Non-current content library, net	2,631,882	2,091,071
Property and equipment, net	144,147	133,605
Other non-current assets	178,818	129,124
Total assets	6,778,329	5,412,563
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current content liabilities	2,074,766	1,775,983
Accounts payable	150,374	108,435
Accrued expenses	70,559	54,018
Deferred revenue	252,956	215,767
Total current liabilities	2,548,655	2,154,203
Non-current content liabilities	1,510,403	1,345,590
Long-term debt	900,000	500,000
Other non-current liabilities	94,397	79,209
Total liabilities	5,053,455	4,079,002
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)	'	'
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 160,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013; 60,246,379 and 59,607,001 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	60	60
Additional paid-in capital	987,256	777,441
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,645	3,575
Retained earnings	735,913	552,485
Total stockholders’ equity	1,724,874	1,333,561
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$6,778,329	$5,412,563

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 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	60,246,379	59,607,001
Common stock, shares outstanding	60,246,379	59,607,001

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Summ

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 $7.9 million and $25.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 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 in any period presented to contribution profit or net income or to the Consolidated Balance Sheets or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,		September 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Basic earnings per share:
	Net income	$	59,295		$	31,822		$	183,428	$	63,982
	Shares used in computation:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	60,171			59,108			59,996		57,769
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.99		$	0.54		$	3.06	$	1.11
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Net income	$	59,295		$	31,822		$	183,428	$	63,982
	Senior Convertible Notes interest expense, net of tax	—			—			—		49
	Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	59,295		$	31,822		$	183,428	$	64,031
	Shares used in computation:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	60,171			59,108			59,996		57,769
	Senior Convertible Notes shares	—			—			—		956
	Employee stock options	1,649			1,882			1,673		1,853
	Weighted-average number of shares	61,820			60,990			61,669		60,578
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.96		$	0.52		$	2.97	$	1.06
	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					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,			September 30,		September 30,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Employee stock options	53		12			64		260

Shortterm_Investments

Short-term Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 30, 2014
		Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair Value
				Gains		Losses
		(in thousands)
	Cash	$	1,065,988	$	—	$	—		$	1,065,988
	Level 1 securities:
	Money market funds	122,936		—		—			122,936
	Level 2 securities:
	Corporate debt securities	292,410		718		(99		)	293,029
	Government securities	166,991		169		(53		)	167,107
	Asset-backed securities	370		—		—			370
	Certificate of deposits and commercial paper	6,605		—		—			6,605
	Agency securities	16,483		8		—			16,491
	Total (1)	$	1,671,783	$	895	$	(152	)	$	1,672,526
		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 $1,183.2 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents, $483.6 million included in short-term investments and $5.7 million of restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related primarily 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 September 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. In addition, there were no material gross realized gains or losses in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
	The estimated fair value of short-term investments by contractual maturity as of September 30, 2014 is as follows:
		(in thousands)
	Due within one year	$	112,361
	Due after one year and through 5 years	371,241
	Total short-term investments	$	483,602

Balance_Sheet_Components

Balance Sheet Components	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Balance Sheet Components Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Balance Sheet Components	'
	Balance Sheet Components
	Content Library
	Content library consisted of the following:
		As of
		September 30,				December 31,
		2014				2013
		(in thousands)
	Total content library, gross	$	8,013,370			$	6,474,688
	Accumulated amortization	(3,374,507		)		(2,677,196		)
	Total content library, net	4,638,863				3,797,492
	Current content library, net	2,006,981				1,706,421
	Non-current content library, net	$	2,631,882			$	2,091,071
	Property and Equipment, Net
	Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation consisted of the following:
				As of
				September 30,				December 31,
				2014				2013
				(in thousands)
	Computer equipment		3 years	$	138,814			$	102,867
	Operations and other equipment		5 years	89,144				96,361
	Software		3 years	36,933				36,439
	Furniture and fixtures		3 years	25,008				21,011
	Building		30 years	40,681				40,681
	Leasehold improvements		Over life of lease	55,160				51,194
	Capital work-in-progress			10,814				8,643
	Property and equipment, gross			396,554				357,196
	Less: Accumulated depreciation			(252,407		)		(223,591		)
	Property and equipment, net			$	144,147			$	133,605

Longterm_Debt

Long-term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $510.0 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 September 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 September 30, 2014 was $412.0 million.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 30, 2014, 3.0 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	(391,239	)	391,239		409.7
	Exercised			(639,378	)	88.82
	Balances as of September 30, 2014	3,015,078		3,278,759		134.02			5.97	$	1,041,797
	Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2014			3,278,759		134.02			5.97	$	1,041,797
	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 third 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 the last trading day of the third quarter of 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 September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $60.3 million and $64.5 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $208.0 million and $182.8 million, respectively.
	Cash received from option exercises for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $9.9 million and $25.6 million, respectively. Cash received from option exercises for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $56.8 million and $93.6 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				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Dividend yield	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%
	Expected volatility	43	%	51	%	43% - 48%		51% - 54%
	Risk-free interest rate	2.52	%	2.55	%	2.52% - 2.83%		1.87% - 2.55%
	Suboptimal exercise factor	2.68 - 4.57		2.43 - 3.79		2.66 - 4.57		2.33 - 3.79
	The Company bifurcates its option grants into two employee groupings (executive and non-executive) and considers several factors, including the historical option exercise behavior, in determining the suboptimal exercise factor.
	The weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted during the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $236.96 and $136.78 per share, respectively. The weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $217.23 and $100.08 per share, respectively.
	Stock-based compensation expense related to stock option plans was $29.9 million and $18.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock option plans was $85.0 million and $54.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement related to stock option plans was $11.4 million and $7.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement related to stock option plans was $32.5 million and $20.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014:
		Foreign currency			Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	5,532		$	970		$	6,502
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(4,354		)	(191		)	(4,545		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(312		)	(312		)
	Net increase in other comprehensive income	(4,354		)	(503		)	(4,857		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	1,178		$	467		$	1,645
		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	(1,975		)	607			(1,368		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(562		)	(562		)
	Net increase in other comprehensive income	(1,975		)	45			(1,930		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	1,178		$	467		$	1,645
	All amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income were related to realized gains on available-for-sale securities. These reclassifications impacted "Interest and other income (expense)" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were 39% and 36%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were 40% and 34%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to state taxes and foreign taxes, partially offset by the California R&D credit. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to state taxes and foreign taxes, offset by the Federal and California R&D credits and a discrete benefit recorded for the 2012 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 the Company's effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013 was primarily attributable to the expiration of the Federal R&D tax credit on December 31, 2013. The increase in the Company's effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the nine months ended September 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 $83.1 million and $68.2 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The gross unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized by the Company, will result in a reduction of approximately $68.6 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 September 30, 2014, the total amount of gross interest and penalties accrued was $4.6 million, and is classified as “Other non-current liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Deferred tax assets include $14.9 million and $21.5 million classified as “Other current assets” and $113.2 million and $69.1 million classified as “Other non-current assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 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 September 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 $21.0 million and $19.7 million, during the three months ended September 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 $68.1 million and $51.1 million, during the nine months ended September 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 and 2013 federal tax returns remain 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 the Company's 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Streaming Content
	At September 30, 2014, the Company had $8.9 billion of obligations comprised of $2.1 billion included in "Current content liabilities" and $1.5 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $5.3 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
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Less than one year	$	3,574,129	$	2,972,325
	Due after one year and through 3 years	4,176,621		3,266,907
	Due after 3 years and through 5 years	1,071,238		929,645
	Due after 5 years	35,239		83,284
	Total streaming content obligations	$	8,857,227	$	7,252,161
	A streaming content obligation is incurred at the time the Company enters into an 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, lead plaintiffs appealed that decision to the United 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	The Company has three reportable 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
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	United States	$	131,839	$	126,455
	International	12,308		7,150
	The following tables represent segment information for the quarter ended September 30, 2014:
		As of/ Three months ended September 30, 2014
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	37,219		15,843			5,986		—
	Revenues	$	877,150	$	345,685		$	186,597	$	1,409,432
	Cost of revenues	565,251		291,942			97,201		954,394
	Marketing	61,045		84,609			—		145,654
	Contribution profit (loss)	$	250,854	$	(30,866	)	$	89,396	$	309,384
	Other operating expenses								198,977
	Operating income								110,407
	Other income (expense)								(12,870		)
	Provision for income taxes								38,242
	Net income								$	59,295
		As of/ Nine months ended September 30, 2014
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	37,219		15,843			5,986		—
	Revenues	$	2,513,992	$	920,264		$	585,672	$	4,019,928
	Cost of revenues	1,628,568		803,906			305,954		2,738,428
	Marketing	206,030		197,485			—		403,515
	Contribution profit (loss)	$	679,394	$	(81,127	)	$	279,718	$	877,985
	Other operating expenses								540,383
	Operating income								337,602
	Other income (expense)								(33,749		)
	Provision for income taxes								120,425
	Net income								$	183,428
	The following tables represent segment information for the quarter ended September 30, 2013:
		As of/ Three months ended September 30, 2013
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	31,092		9,188			7,148		—
	Revenues	$	701,083	$	183,051		$	221,865	$	1,105,999
	Cost of revenues	473,965		209,811			115,124		798,900
	Marketing	60,637		47,537			54		108,228
	Contribution profit (loss)	$	166,481	$	(74,297	)	$	106,687	$	198,871
	Other operating expenses								141,751
	Operating income								57,120
	Other income (expense)								(7,629		)
	Provision for income taxes								17,669
	Net income								$	31,822
		As of/ Nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	31,092		9,188			7,148		—
	Revenues	$	2,010,821	$	490,972		$	697,539	$	3,199,332
	Cost of revenues	1,366,897		561,103			368,526		2,296,526
	Marketing	194,779		146,919			227		341,925
Contribution profit (loss)	$	449,145	$	(217,050	)	$	328,786	$	560,881
Other operating expenses								414,822
Operating income								146,059
Other income (expense)								(48,989		)
Provision for income taxes								33,088
Net income								$	63,982
The following table represents the amortization of the content library:
	Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
	Streaming		Streaming			DVD
Three months ended September 30,	(in thousands)
2014	$	433,266	$	252,888		$	18,269	$	704,423
2013	363,787		189,607			17,546		570,940
Nine months ended September 30,
2014	1,229,477		696,449			51,313		1,977,239
2013	1,043,976		505,408			53,492		1,602,876
The following table represents total content library, net:
	Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
	Streaming		Streaming			DVD
	(in thousands)
As of September 30, 2014	$	3,334,646	$	1,276,686		$	27,531	$	4,638,863
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 is canceled and ceases to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the prepaid 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation Of Net Income Per Share	'
	The computation of earnings per share is as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,			September 30,		September 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Basic earnings per share:
	Net income	$	59,295		$	31,822		$	183,428	$	63,982
	Shares used in computation:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	60,171			59,108			59,996		57,769
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.99		$	0.54		$	3.06	$	1.11
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Net income	$	59,295		$	31,822		$	183,428	$	63,982
	Senior Convertible Notes interest expense, net of tax	—			—			—		49
	Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$	59,295		$	31,822		$	183,428	$	64,031
	Shares used in computation:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	60,171			59,108			59,996		57,769
	Senior Convertible Notes shares	—			—			—		956
	Employee stock options	1,649			1,882			1,673		1,853
	Weighted-average number of shares	61,820			60,990			61,669		60,578
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.96		$	0.52		$	2.97	$	1.06
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					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,			September 30,		September 30,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Employee stock options	53		12			64		260

Shortterm_Investments_Tables

Short-term Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 30, 2014
		Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair Value
				Gains		Losses
		(in thousands)
	Cash	$	1,065,988	$	—	$	—		$	1,065,988
	Level 1 securities:
	Money market funds	122,936		—		—			122,936
	Level 2 securities:
	Corporate debt securities	292,410		718		(99		)	293,029
	Government securities	166,991		169		(53		)	167,107
	Asset-backed securities	370		—		—			370
	Certificate of deposits and commercial paper	6,605		—		—			6,605
	Agency securities	16,483		8		—			16,491
	Total (1)	$	1,671,783	$	895	$	(152	)	$	1,672,526
		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 $1,183.2 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents, $483.6 million included in short-term investments and $5.7 million of restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related primarily 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 September 30, 2014 is as follows:
		(in thousands)
	Due within one year	$	112,361
	Due after one year and through 5 years	371,241
	Total short-term investments	$	483,602

Balance_Sheet_Components_Table

Balance Sheet Components (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Balance Sheet Components Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Content Library	'
	Content library consisted of the following:
		As of
		September 30,				December 31,
		2014				2013
		(in thousands)
	Total content library, gross	$	8,013,370			$	6,474,688
	Accumulated amortization	(3,374,507		)		(2,677,196		)
	Total content library, net	4,638,863				3,797,492
	Current content library, net	2,006,981				1,706,421
	Non-current content library, net	$	2,631,882			$	2,091,071
Property And Equipment, Net	'
	Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation consisted of the following:
				As of
				September 30,				December 31,
				2014				2013
				(in thousands)
	Computer equipment		3 years	$	138,814			$	102,867
	Operations and other equipment		5 years	89,144				96,361
	Software		3 years	36,933				36,439
	Furniture and fixtures		3 years	25,008				21,011
	Building		30 years	40,681				40,681
	Leasehold improvements		Over life of lease	55,160				51,194
	Capital work-in-progress			10,814				8,643
	Property and equipment, gross			396,554				357,196
	Less: Accumulated depreciation			(252,407		)		(223,591		)
	Property and equipment, net			$	144,147			$	133,605

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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	(391,239	)	391,239		409.7
	Exercised			(639,378	)	88.82
	Balances as of September 30, 2014	3,015,078		3,278,759		134.02			5.97	$	1,041,797
	Vested and exercisable at September 30, 2014			3,278,759		134.02			5.97	$	1,041,797
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				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Dividend yield	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%
	Expected volatility	43	%	51	%	43% - 48%		51% - 54%
	Risk-free interest rate	2.52	%	2.55	%	2.52% - 2.83%		1.87% - 2.55%
	Suboptimal exercise factor	2.68 - 4.57		2.43 - 3.79		2.66 - 4.57		2.33 - 3.79

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014:
		Foreign currency			Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	5,532		$	970		$	6,502
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(4,354		)	(191		)	(4,545		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(312		)	(312		)
	Net increase in other comprehensive income	(4,354		)	(503		)	(4,857		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	1,178		$	467		$	1,645
		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	(1,975		)	607			(1,368		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	—			(562		)	(562		)
	Net increase in other comprehensive income	(1,975		)	45			(1,930		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	1,178		$	467		$	1,645

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	Less than one year	$	3,574,129	$	2,972,325
	Due after one year and through 3 years	4,176,621		3,266,907
	Due after 3 years and through 5 years	1,071,238		929,645
	Due after 5 years	35,239		83,284
	Total streaming content obligations	$	8,857,227	$	7,252,161

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Long-lived Assets by Geographic Areas	'
	The Company's long-lived tangible assets were located as follows:
		As of
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in thousands)
	United States	$	131,839	$	126,455
	International	12,308		7,150
Information On Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income	'
	The following tables represent segment information for the quarter ended September 30, 2014:
		As of/ Three months ended September 30, 2014
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	37,219		15,843			5,986		—
	Revenues	$	877,150	$	345,685		$	186,597	$	1,409,432
	Cost of revenues	565,251		291,942			97,201		954,394
	Marketing	61,045		84,609			—		145,654
	Contribution profit (loss)	$	250,854	$	(30,866	)	$	89,396	$	309,384
	Other operating expenses								198,977
	Operating income								110,407
	Other income (expense)								(12,870		)
	Provision for income taxes								38,242
	Net income								$	59,295
		As of/ Nine months ended September 30, 2014
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	37,219		15,843			5,986		—
	Revenues	$	2,513,992	$	920,264		$	585,672	$	4,019,928
	Cost of revenues	1,628,568		803,906			305,954		2,738,428
	Marketing	206,030		197,485			—		403,515
	Contribution profit (loss)	$	679,394	$	(81,127	)	$	279,718	$	877,985
	Other operating expenses								540,383
	Operating income								337,602
	Other income (expense)								(33,749		)
	Provision for income taxes								120,425
	Net income								$	183,428
	The following tables represent segment information for the quarter ended September 30, 2013:
		As of/ Three months ended September 30, 2013
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	31,092		9,188			7,148		—
	Revenues	$	701,083	$	183,051		$	221,865	$	1,105,999
	Cost of revenues	473,965		209,811			115,124		798,900
	Marketing	60,637		47,537			54		108,228
	Contribution profit (loss)	$	166,481	$	(74,297	)	$	106,687	$	198,871
	Other operating expenses								141,751
	Operating income								57,120
	Other income (expense)								(7,629		)
	Provision for income taxes								17,669
	Net income								$	31,822
		As of/ Nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
		(in thousands)
	Total members at end of period (1)	31,092		9,188			7,148		—
	Revenues	$	2,010,821	$	490,972		$	697,539	$	3,199,332
	Cost of revenues	1,366,897		561,103			368,526		2,296,526
	Marketing	194,779		146,919			227		341,925
	Contribution profit (loss)	$	449,145	$	(217,050	)	$	328,786	$	560,881
	Other operating expenses								414,822
	Operating income								146,059
	Other income (expense)								(48,989		)
	Provision for income taxes								33,088
	Net income								$	63,982
	The following table represents the amortization of the content library:
		Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
		Streaming		Streaming			DVD
	Three months ended September 30,	(in thousands)
	2014	$	433,266	$	252,888		$	18,269	$	704,423
2013	363,787		189,607			17,546		570,940
Nine months ended September 30,
2014	1,229,477		696,449			51,313		1,977,239
2013	1,043,976		505,408			53,492		1,602,876
The following table represents total content library, net:
	Domestic		International			Domestic		Consolidated
	Streaming		Streaming			DVD
	(in thousands)
As of September 30, 2014	$	3,334,646	$	1,276,686		$	27,531	$	4,638,863
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 is canceled and ceases to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the prepaid 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Marketing Expenses Reclassified to Costs of Revenues [Member]	'	'
Costs of free trials allocated to marketing reclassified to cost of revenues	$7.90	$25.10

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation

Earnings Per Share - Computation Of Net Income Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Basic earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Net income	$59,295	$31,822	$183,428	$63,982
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	60,171	59,108	59,996	57,769
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.99	$0.54	$3.06	$1.11
Diluted earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Net income	59,295	31,822	183,428	63,982
Senior Convertible Notes interest expense, net of tax	0	0	0	49
Numerator for diluted earnings per share	$59,295	$31,822	$183,428	$64,031
Shares used in computation:	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	60,171	59,108	59,996	57,769
Senior Convertible Notes shares	0	0	0	956
Employee stock options	1,649	1,882	1,673	1,853
Weighted-average number of shares - Diluted	61,820	60,990	61,669	60,578
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.96	$0.52	$2.97	$1.06

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		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Employee stock options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Employee stock options	53	12	64	260

Shortterm_Investments_Availabl

Short-term Investments - Available-For-Sale Securities Reported At Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Total, Amortized Cost	$1,671,783	[1]	$1,204,938	[2]
Total, Unrealized Gains	895	[1]	1,761	[2]
Total, Unrealized Losses	-152	[1]	-1,092	[2]
Total, Estimated Fair Value	1,672,526	[1]	1,205,607	[2]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Total, Estimated Fair Value	1,183,200		605,000
Short-term Investments [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Total, Estimated Fair Value	483,600		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	122,936		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	122,936		126,208
Level 2 Securities [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	292,410		316,465
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	718		1,245
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-99		-654
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated Fair Value	293,029		317,056
Level 2 Securities [Member] | Government securities [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost	166,991		143,812
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	169		287
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	-53		-18
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated Fair Value	167,107		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	370		93,118
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	0		229
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0		-418
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated Fair Value	370		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	6,605		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	0		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated Fair Value	6,605		'
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	16,483		17,951
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	8		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0		-2
Available-for-sale Securities, Estimated Fair Value	16,491		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	1,065,988		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	$1,065,988		$483,959
[1]	Includes $1,183.2 million that is included in cash and cash equivalents, $483.6 million included in short-term investments and $5.7 million of restricted cash that is included in other non-current assets related primarily 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 $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Short-Term Investments And Fair Value Measurement [Abstract]	'
Due within one year	$112,361
Due after one year and through 5 years	371,241
Total short-term investments	$483,602

Balance_Sheet_Components_Compo

Balance Sheet Components - Components of Content Library (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance Sheet Components Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Total content library, gross	$8,013,370	$6,474,688
Accumulated amortization	-3,374,507	-2,677,196
Total content library, net	4,638,863	3,797,492
Current content library, net	2,006,981	1,706,421
Non-current content library, net	$2,631,882	$2,091,071

Balance_Sheet_Components_Prope

Balance Sheet Components - Property And Equipment And Accumulated Depreciation (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$396,554	$357,196
Less: Accumulated depreciation	-252,407	-223,591
Property and equipment, net	144,147	133,605
Computer equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years	'
Property and equipment, gross	138,814	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	89,144	96,361
Software [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years	'
Property and equipment, gross	36,933	36,439
Furniture and fixtures [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'3 years	'
Property and equipment, gross	25,008	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	55,160	51,194
Capital work-in-progress [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$10,814	$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

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Feb. 28, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Sep. 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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$510,000,000

$506,300,000

'

'

'

$412,000,000

Stockholders_Equity_Narrative_

Stockholders' Equity - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
			employee_group
Components of Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$60,300,000	$64,500,000	$208,000,000	$182,800,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	9,877,000	25,561,000	56,794,000	93,553,000
Number of employee groups	'	'	2	'
Weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted per share	$236.96	$136.78	$217.23	$100.08
Stock-based compensation expense	29,900,000	18,500,000	85,000,000	54,200,000
Income tax benefit	$11,400,000	$7,100,000	$32,500,000	$20,800,000
2011 Stock Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Components of Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Shares reserved for future issuance	3	'	3	'

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_Of

Stockholders' Equity - Summary Of Activity Related To Stock Option Plans (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 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	391,239
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares, Exercised	-639,378
Shares Available for Grant, Ending Balance	3,015,078
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares, Ending Balance	3,278,759
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares, Vested and exercisable	3,278,759
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	$409.70
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$88.82
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance	$134.02
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Vested and exercisable	$134.02
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Ending Balance	'5 years 11 months 19 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Vested and exercisable	'5 years 11 months 19 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Ending Balance	$1,041,797
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and exercisable	$1,041,797

Stockholders_Equity_Summary_Of1

Stockholders' Equity - Summary Of Assumptions Used To Value Stock Option Grants Using Lattice-Binomial Model (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity and Stock-based Compensation Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility, minimum	'	'	43.00%	51.00%
Expected volatility	43.00%	51.00%	'	'
Expected volatility, maximum	'	'	48.00%	54.00%
Risk free interest rate, minimum	'	'	2.52%	1.87%
Risk-free interest rate	2.52%	2.55%	'	'
Risk free interest rate, maximum	'	'	2.83%	2.55%
Suboptimal exercise factor, minimum	2.68	2.43	2.66	2.33
Suboptimal exercise factor, maximum	4.57	3.79	4.57	3.79

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	$6,502	$3,575
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-4,545	-1,368
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	-312	-562
Net increase in other comprehensive income	-4,857	-1,930
Ending balance	1,645	1,645
Foreign currency [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	5,532	3,153
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-4,354	-1,975
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0
Net increase in other comprehensive income	-4,354	-1,975
Ending balance	1,178	1,178
Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	970	422
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-191	607
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	-312	-562
Net increase in other comprehensive income	-503	45
Ending balance	$467	$467

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rates	39.00%	36.00%	'	40.00%	34.00%	'
2012 Federal R&D credit recognized	'	'	$3.10	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	83.1	'	'	83.1	'	68.2
Reduction in provision for income taxes due to impact of effective tax rate	68.6	'	'	68.6	'	'
Gross interest and penalties accrued	4.6	'	'	4.6	'	'
Deferred tax assets, other current assets	14.9	'	'	14.9	'	21.5
Deferred tax assets, other non-current assets	113.2	'	'	113.2	'	69.1
Income tax benefits attributable to the exercise of employee stock options recorded directly to Additional paid-in-capital	$21	$19.70	'	$68.10	$51.10	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Streaming Content - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]	'	'
Total streaming content obligations	$8,857,227,000	$7,252,161,000
Unrecorded streaming obligations	5,300,000,000	4,200,000,000
Current Content Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]	'	'
Recorded streaming obligations	2,100,000,000	1,800,000,000
Non-current Content Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]	'	'
Recorded streaming obligations	$1,500,000,000	$1,300,000,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Expected Timing Of Payments For Commitments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Less than one year	$3,574,129	$2,972,325
Due after one year and through 3 years	4,176,621	3,266,907
Due after 3 years and through 5 years	1,071,238	929,645
Due after 5 years	35,239	83,284
Total streaming content obligations	$8,857,227	$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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
	segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of Operating Segments	3

Segment_Information_Longlived_

Segment Information - Long-lived Assets by Geographical Areas (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 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	$131,839	$126,455
International [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Long-Lived Assets	$12,308	$7,150

Segment_Information_Informatio

Segment Information - Information On Reportable Segments And Reconciliation To Consolidated Net Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 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	$1,409,432		$1,105,999		$4,019,928		$3,199,332		'
Cost of revenues	954,394		798,900		2,738,428		2,296,526		'
Marketing	145,654		108,228		403,515		341,925		'
Contribution profit (loss)	309,384		198,871		877,985		560,881		'
Other operating expenses	198,977		141,751		540,383		414,822		'
Operating income	110,407		57,120		337,602		146,059		'
Other income (expense)	-12,870		-7,629		-33,749		-48,989		'
Provision for income taxes	38,242		17,669		120,425		33,088		'
Net income	59,295		31,822		183,428		63,982		'
Amortization of content library	704,423		570,940		1,977,239		1,602,876		'
Total content library, net	4,638,863		'		4,638,863		'		3,797,492
Domestic Streaming [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Total members at end of period	37,219,000	[1]	31,092,000	[1]	37,219,000	[1]	31,092,000	[1]	'
Revenues	877,150		701,083		2,513,992		2,010,821		'
Cost of revenues	565,251		473,965		1,628,568		1,366,897		'
Marketing	61,045		60,637		206,030		194,779		'
Contribution profit (loss)	250,854		166,481		679,394		449,145		'
Amortization of content library	433,266		363,787		1,229,477		1,043,976		'
Total content library, net	3,334,646		'		3,334,646		'		2,973,023
International Streaming [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Total members at end of period	15,843,000	[1]	9,188,000	[1]	15,843,000	[1]	9,188,000	[1]	'
Revenues	345,685		183,051		920,264		490,972		'
Cost of revenues	291,942		209,811		803,906		561,103		'
Marketing	84,609		47,537		197,485		146,919		'
Contribution profit (loss)	-30,866		-74,297		-81,127		-217,050		'
Amortization of content library	252,888		189,607		696,449		505,408		'
Total content library, net	1,276,686		'		1,276,686		'		804,690
Domestic DVD [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'
Total members at end of period	5,986,000	[1]	7,148,000	[1]	5,986,000	[1]	7,148,000	[1]	'
Revenues	186,597		221,865		585,672		697,539		'
Cost of revenues	97,201		115,124		305,954		368,526		'
Marketing	0		54		0		227		'
Contribution profit (loss)	89,396		106,687		279,718		328,786		'
Amortization of content library	18,269		17,546		51,313		53,492		'
Total content library, net	$27,531		'		$27,531		'		$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 is canceled and ceases to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations become effective at the end of the prepaid membership period, while involuntary cancellation of the service, as a result of a failed method of payment, becomes effective immediately.