Single crystal superalloys exhibit excellent comprehensive properties and have been widely applied in advanced aero-engines. This paper reviews the development of single crystal superalloys from the aspects of strengthening mechanism and composition design, directional solidification and crystal growth, solid-state phase transformation and heat treatment and mechanical behaviour. Special emphasis is placed on the research progress of the high-performance, low-cost single crystal superalloys with independent intellectual property rights of China developed by Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials, and future development direction of single crystal superalloys are discussed.