A system and method for generating compact light-field displays through varying optical depths provides digital content in a more effective and efficient manner. The system includes a field-evolving cavity with a cavity exit pupil, a relay mechanism, and a system enclosure with an enclosure exit pupil. The field-evolving cavity modifies the light-field displays before outputting the light-field displays with the cavity exit pupil. More specifically, the field-evolving cavity includes at least one display panel, which initially generates the light-field displays, and at least one optical-tuning mechanism, which subsequently modifies the light-field displays to varying optical depths. The system enclosure houses the field-evolving cavity and the relay mechanism. The relay mechanism directs the light-field displays from the cavity exit pupil to the enclosure exit pupil, which outputs the light-field displays to a user.