Photoelectrochemical cathodic protection is an energy-saving, environmentally friendly and economical corrosion protection technology in comparison with traditional corrosion protection methods. In this technology, the photoelectrochemical cathodic protection materials are purposed to generate photogenerated electrons under visible light illumination. The photogenerated electrons are transferred to the metal with the driving force of the potential difference, which is enriched on the metal surface to enable a negative shift of the metal‘s potential, thereby realizing the forced protection of the metal. This paper summarizes the preparation methods and performance characteristics of photoelectrochemical cathodic protection materials at home and abroad in recent years. It also describes the strategies and technologies of improving photoelectrochemical cathodic protection performance, including morphology control, element doping, semiconductor recombination, heterostructure formation, and material coupling, which can resolve the current problems of TiO2 film materials. Then, the performance and application of non-TiO2 photoelectrochemical cathodic protection nanomaterials are summarized, such as ZnO, SrTiO3, In2O3, g-C3N4, and Bi-based metal oxides. The approaches that realizing the anticorrosion function realization of photoelectrochemical cathodic protection materials are clarified in recent years, including photoanode method and direct coating method. Meanwhile, the advantages and disadvantages of them are compared. Based on the previous reports, the development trendency, the problems about metal photoelectrochemical cathodic protection materials and anticorrosion function realization are proposed.