Firstly, the corrosion inhibition mechanisms of single-component inhibitors and complex corrosion inhibitors were discussed respectively to confirm that the adsorption process of various corrosion inhibitors on metal surface was different. The special molecular group in a single component corrosion inhibitor acted as an inhibitor on the surface of the metal by physisorption, chemisorption or mixed adsorption. Complex corrosion inhibitor acted as an inhibitor through the synergistic adsorption or competitive adsorption of each component on the metal surface. Then the problems existing in the mechanism of corrosion inhibition were pointed out. After that, the research progress of carbon dioxide corrosion inhibitors at home and abroad in recent years was reviewed mainly, including imidazoline derivatives, surfactants, quaternary ammonium salts, organic amines and complex corrosion inhibitors. Combined with the molecular structure of the inhibitor and the corrosion inhibition efficiency, these corrosion inhibitors were expounded. Several new corrosion inhibitors were introduced, including multiple active site organic compounds, mercaptan, schiff base and polymers. Finally, the future research direction of corrosion inhibitor and inhibition mechanism was prospected for complex carbon dioxide corrosion environment.