Lithium-sulfur　batteries　(LSBs)　are　considered　next-generation　energy　storage　and　conversion　solutions　owing　to　their　high　theoretical　specific　capacity　and　the　high　abundance/low-cost　of　sulfur-based　cathode　materials.　However,　LSBs　still　encounter　significant　challenges,　including　the　low　conductivities　of　sulfur-based　materials,　severe　volumetric　expansion　of　sulfur　during　the　discharge　process,　and　the　persistent　＇shuttle　effect＇　of　polysulfides.　In　recent　years,　a　tremendous　amount　of　research　has　been　conducted　to　address　the　above　challenges　by　developing　coating　and　compositing　materials　and　corresponding　fabrication　strategies　for　sulfur-based　cathode　materials.　In　this　study,　the　surface　coating,　compositing　materials,　and　fabrication　methodologies　of　LSB　cathodes　are　comprehensively　reviewed　in　terms　of　advanced　materials,　structure/component　characterization,　functional　mechanisms,　and　performance　validation.　Some　technical　challenges　are　analyzed　in　detail,　and　possible　future　research　directions　are　proposed　to　overcome　the　challenges　toward　practical　applications　of　lithium-sulfur　batteries.　©　2024　Wiley-VCH　GmbH.