In order to promote the development of technology for heavy oil recovery by aquathermolysis，from aspects of mechanism，preparation，modification performance evaluation and so on，the advanced developments of metal nano-particle catalysts for aquathermolysis of heavy crude oil，including Ni，Mo and Fe based metal nano-particles，and the surface modification of metal nano-particles catalysts were further reviewed. In addition，the research suggestions and prospects of studies and applications of metal nano-particles catalysts for aquathermolysis of heavy crude oil were put forward