A method and an apparatus for processing a motion picture expert group (MPEG) video, used in a video reproduction apparatus, can prevent a non-reference picture displaying error due to the non-reference picture decoding not completed in time. The apparatus includes a video decoder for generating a non-reference picture on a macroblock-by-macroblock basis by referring to a reference picture; a displaying unit for displaying the non-reference picture on the macroblock-by-macroblock basis. The displaying unit further detects whether decoding of a next macroblock of the non-reference picture is completed when displaying a current macroblock. If decoding of the next macroblock is completed, the displaying unit displays the next macroblock of the non-reference picture. If decoding of the next macroblock is not completed, and the displaying unit displays the corresponding macroblock of the reference picture. In one embodiment, the reference picture is an I picture or a P picture, and the non-reference picture is a B picture.