Metal-organic cages (MOCs) are self-assembled compounds with specific cavities by coordination between metal ions and organic ligands. Metal ions with variable valence , functional ligands and cavity with different structures of MOCs provide some possibilities for catalytic active sites. The catalysis of confined MOCs improves the efficiency of different types of reactions. Therefore, this paper describes the research progress of metal-organic cages in the field of catalysis from three aspects: metal ions, functional ligands and their confined cavity. Firstly, metal ions of metal-organic cages are mainly reflected in photoinduced hydrogen production, photoinduced oxygen production and carbon dioxide reduction. Secondly, their functional ligands can regulate the enantioselective ability of asymmetric catalytic reactions. Thirdly, their confined cavity plays a good catalytic effect for the formation of photodimers, and can also significantly promote general organic reactions.