As a kind of natural polymer soft material with three-dimensional network structure, gelatin-based hydrogels have attracted a lot of attention due to their good biocompatibility, biodegradability and biological safety, and high water content, similar structure and performance to extracellular matrix. Firstly, the structure and properties of gelatin-based hydrogels are summarized. Then, gelatin-based hydrogels are classified according to their functionality. The characteristics, properties and research progress of self-healing, antibacterial, stimulation-responsive, conductive and antifreezing gelatin-based hydrogels are described. Finally, the problems and challenges of gelatin-based hydrogels are discussed, and the possible development trend of gelatin-based hydrogels in the future is prospected.