皮影戏，又称影子戏或灯影戏， 是一种民间艺术，顾名思义其演出是利用灯光把兽皮或纸板做成的人物剪影照射在白色的影幕上，以表演故事的戏剧，是世界许多国家皆有的一种戏剧形式，如土耳其的皮影戏称为 Karagöz。艺人在幕后操纵着皮影人物，再伴以音乐和歌唱方式演出，有“电影始祖”之美誉。

在过去电影、电视等等媒体尚未发达的年代，皮影戏曾是十分受欢迎的民间娱乐活动之一。在陕西、甘肃天水等地农村，这种拙朴的汉族民间艺术形式很受人们的欢迎。

Shadow play which is also known as shadow puppetry is an ancient form of storytelling and entertainment which uses flat articulated figures (shadow puppets) to create cut-out figures which are held between a source of light and a translucent screen or scrim. The cut-out shapes of the puppets sometimes include translucent color or other types of detailing. Various effects can be achieved by moving both the puppets and the light source. A talented puppeteer can make the figures appear to walk, dance, fight, nod and laugh.