The work aims to understand high-temperature oxidation behavior of zircaloy and coatings, and to improve high temperature oxidation resistance of zircaloy. CrAlN and CrTiAlN coatings were deposited on zirconium alloys by adopting multi-arc ion plating technique, high-temperature oxidation behavior in loss of coolant accident (LOCA) in nuclear power plant was simulated, oxidation tests were conducted for 1h at 360~1160 ℃ to study oxidation weight gain behavior of original zirconium alloy and coated samples. X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscope were used to systematically characterize and analyze phase structure and morphology of the samples before and after oxidation. Fuscous mixed zirconium oxide film was formed on the surface of zirconium alloy at the temperature below 760 ℃, and the film presented cracking and local spalling at the temperature over 860 ℃. Both coatings significantly decreased the oxidation weight gain by forming a dense Cr2O3 and Al2O3 oxide layer. CrAlN coatings showed good oxidization resistance at 760 ℃ and lose protective effect at 1060 ℃; CrTiAlN coatings protected the substrate from oxidization at 860 ℃, oxide layer appeared on partially fractured substrate at 1060 ℃. CrAlN and CrTiAlN coatings can be potentially good candidates for accident tolerant fuel (ATF) cladding coatings since such coatings prepared by virtue of multi-arc ion plating technique exhibit excellent high-temperature oxidation resistance in simulated LOCA in reactors.