The　cost　and　limited　availability　of　lithium　resources　have　encouraged　researchers　to　explore　next-generation　batteries.　Among　the　emerging　batteries　systems,　aqueous　aluminum-ion　batteries　(AAIBs)　stand　as　appealing　electrochemical　storage　systems　due　to　the　high　theoretical　volume　density,　abundant　resources　and　inherent　safety　of　aluminum.　Although　substantial　endeavors　have　been　dedicated　to　AAIBs　development,　the　narrow　electrochemical　window　of　aqueous　electrolyte,　hydrogen　evolution　reaction　of　aluminum　electrode,　low　energy　density　and　inferior　cycle　stability　still　hinder　the　development　of　AAIBs.　Among　these,　the　development　of　high-energy　density　and　stable　cathode　materials　is　particularly　significant.　However,　there　exists　considerable　challenge　remaining　in　devising　cathode　materials,　which　is　mainly　ascribed　to　the　pronounced　electrostatic　repulsion　from　the　inherently　high　charge　density　of　Al3+.　Therefore,　this　review　comprehensively　reviews　recent　advancements　in　the　AAIBs　cathodes,　with　a　special　focus　on　energy　storage　mechanism　of　different　kinds　of　cathodes.　Ultimately,　it　elucidates　the　primary　challenges　toward　achieving　high-performance　AAIBs　and　outlines　future　research　prospects.　Graphical　abstract:　(Figure　presented.)　©　Youke　Publishing　Co.,Ltd　2024.