Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major greenhouse gas, but also a cheap, non-toxic and renewable C1 resource. It is anticipated that the conversion of CO2 into valuable fine chemicals is able to mitigate the climate change and facilitate carbon neutrality. The cycloaddition reaction of epoxide with CO2 has the advantages of high atom economy, high selectivity and low pollution. The product cyclic carbonate can be used as electrolyte for lithium-ion battery, precursor of polymer materials and intermediate of fine chemicals. The oxides have been considered a promising catalyst for cycloaddition reaction because of their diverse structures and controllable acid-base properties. This article reviews the research progress of two typical, low-cost and easily large-scale oxides: metal oxides and zeolite in catalyzing the cycloaddition reaction between CO2 and epoxides, and focuses on the analysis of the reaction mechanism and the application of catalysts. The key points of the future work will be aimed at the development of true inhomogeneous catalysts without additives and a clear mechanism of the reaction.