A problem exists in that black luminance in a liquid crystal display device when seen in a dark place is high compared to black luminance of a light emitting element in a non-light-emitting state, so as a result, contrast ratio is low. There is a high demand for contrast ratio to be improved. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display device with improved contrast ratio and a wide viewing angle. Retardation films and stacked polarizing plates are provided over light transmitting substrates which sandwich a display element. A film having liquid crystal with hybrid oriented liquid crystal, a film having liquid crystal with twisted orientation, uniaxial retardation films, or biaxially retardation films can be used as the retardation films. It is preferable that the stacked polarizing plates comprise two polarizing plates.