The three rice planthoppers, including Nilaparvata lugens, Sogatella furcifera, and Laodelphax striatellus, represented significant agricultural pests that affected rice production. Extended insecticide application resulted in these three species developing resistance to multiple chemical compounds. Among these species, N. lugens demonstrated the most accelerated resistance evolution, especially against neonicotinoid insecticides; S. furcifera and L. striatellus developed resistance more gradually and generally maintained high susceptibility to most insecticides, though increasing resistance to buprofezin presented an emerging concern. These species enhanced their detoxification capabilities through the upregulation of metabolic enzymes, including cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP450) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). The resistance in N. lugens primarily stemmed from metabolic mechanisms, particularly the enhanced expression of detoxification enzymes such as CYP450, coupled with adaptive target-site mutations and co-evolution with resistant rice varieties. For S. furcifera, resistance predominantly related to target-site mutations, with frequent mutations in target proteins, while metabolic mechanisms also contributed significantly. In contrast, L. striatellus exhibited comparatively lower resistance levels, with target-site modifications serving as the primary mechanism and limited involvement of detoxification enzymes, which resulted in slower resistance development. These species also displayed distinctive characteristics regarding resistance-related gene regulation, symbiont bacteria interactions, and adaptive metabolic responses. This review synthesizes current knowledge of resistance development, fundamental molecular mechanisms, and recent research advances in these rice planthoppers, while proposing molecular-based resistance management approaches to facilitate effective and sustainable pest control.