Spatio-optical directional light modulators and temporal spatio-optical directional light modulators are introduced. These directional light modulators can be used to create 3D displays, ultra-high resolution 2D displays or 2D/3D switchable displays with extended viewing angle. The temporal spatio-optical aspects of an embodiment of these novel light modulators allow them to modulate the intensity, color and direction of the light they emit within a wide viewing angle. The inherently fast modulation and wide angular coverage capabilities of these directional light modulators increase the achievable viewing angle, and directional resolution making the 3D images created by the display be more realistic or alternatively the 2D images created by the display having ultra high resolution. Alternate embodiments are disclosed.