A color filter includes a substrate and a plurality of pixel units. The substrate defines a plurality of pixel areas. Each pixel area has a plurality of first sub-pixel areas, and each first sub-pixel area has a first area and a second area. The pixel units are formed on the substrate corresponding to the pixel areas. Each pixel unit is disposed in a corresponding pixel area and includes a plurality of color subtractive filter films and a plurality of color additive filter films. The color subtractive filter films are disposed in the first areas of the first sub-pixel areas of the corresponding pixel area, and the color additive filter films are disposed in the second areas of the first sub-pixel areas of the corresponding pixel area. A color display device with the color filter is also disclosed.