In this review, the principle and the optical methods for light-field display are introduced. The light-field display is divided into three categories, including the layer-based method, projector-based method, and integral imaging method. The principle, characteristic, history, and advanced research results of each method are also reviewed. The advantages of light-field display are discussed by comparing it with other display technologies including binocular stereoscopic display, volumetric three-dimensional display, and holographic display.