Thin film coatings are widely applied to extend the service life of hot metal forming dies by improving wear resistance, reducing friction, and mitigating thermal and chemical damage. Nitride coatings deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods have demonstrated the potential to address critical challenges at the die–workpiece interface. This work reviews the designs and applications of nitride coatings to hot metal forming dies. It begins with the fundamentals and characteristics of monolithic, binary, and laminated coatings, which aim to enhance tribological performance at the interface. It then explores the application of nitride coatings used in hot forming processes of steels, aluminum alloys, and other metal alloys. Finally, the review concludes with key highlights and recommendations for coating selection and future research to improve the tribological performance of hot metal forming dies.