Unless I am missing your point they are and they're mean the same thing:
They're means "they are":

They're (=they are) funny people.

They're (=they are) the cutest puppies ever.

It can be used of non-living things too:

They're (=they are) both really good books.

They're (=they are) two of our biggest problems.

I am grateful for being corrected when warranted but I don't believe there is a law (maybe in liberal mindsets who feel they can make up their own) in the English language that says you have to use the hyphenated version.

So if I missed your intent please do feel free to correct me.