Provided are a 3-dimensional image display apparatus and a control method thereof, the apparatus including: a video signal receiving unit which receives a video signal containing plane image data or stereoscopic image data from an external signal source; a liquid crystal module which includes a liquid crystal display panel to selectively display the plane image data and the stereoscopic image data, and a backlight unit provided in a rear portion of the liquid crystal display panel; a power supply which supplies power to the liquid crystal module; and a controller which determines whether the received video signal contains the plane image data or the stereoscopic image data, and if the video signal receiving unit contains the stereoscopic image data, the controller controls the power supply such that the backlight unit operates in a power saving mode while the stereoscopic image data is scanned to the liquid crystal display panel.