According to one embodiment, a display device includes a display panel including a first substrate, a second substrate, and an optical element layer provided between the substrates, a light directing unit facing the first substrate of the display panel, and including a first main surface disposed on a side facing the first substrate, and a second main surface disposed on a side reverse to the first main surface, and a light source unit disposed on the first substrate side with respect to the display panel, and emitting polarized light toward the first or second main surface. The polarized light is made incident on the first or second main surface, and directed perpendicularly to the optical element layer.