Searching for new ceramic materials is the most feasible method in order to resolve the defects of current thermal barrier coatings. The A₂ Zr₂ O₇ -type rare earth zirconates are regarded as the most potential candidate ceramic materials for thermal barrier coatings because of their low thermal conductivities, high thermal expansion coefficients and excellent phase stability at high temperatures. Rare-earth zirconate coatings are one of the key-research directions in thermal barrier coating field. In the current paper , the research progress at home and abroad, such as coating preparing technology, coating structure, coating properties including thermophysical properties, mechanics and thermal erosion, were systemically summarized. The development deficiencies of rare-earth zirconate thermal barrier coatings were investigated. In the future, the preparing and post-treatment technology of rareearth zirconate coatings should be improved. The bonding strength, working lifetime, corrosion and sintering resistance of new thermal barrier coatings should also be enhanced. In order to study coating properties of nano-structure thermal barrier coatings, new preparing technology must be developed. The thermal insulation, working temperature and lifetime of new thermal barrier coatings should also be improved.