Cellulose　nanocrystals　（CNCs）　are　rod-like　nanomaterials　with　high　crystallinity　obtained　from　natural　cellulose.　CNCs　suspensions　can　form　iridescent　films　with　chiral　nematic　structure　through　evaporation-induced　self-assembly　（EISA），showing　unique　optical　properties　and　presenting　specific　structural　colors，which　has　great　application　potential　in　the　fields　of　anti-counterfeiting，sensing，optoelectronics　and　so　on.　Due　to　the　abundant，green　and　renewable　feedstock，CNCs　has　become　the　first　choice　of　the　new　chiral　materials.　In　this　paper，the　formation　mechanism，structure　and　optical　properties　of　CNCs　chiral　liquid　crystals　are　introduced，the　preparation　methods　of　CNCs　chiral　liquid　crystals　which　are　typical　at　home　and　abroad　in　recent　years　are　reviewed，and　the　structural　colors　and　regulation　methods　of　CNCs　chiral　liquid　crystals　are　discussed.　The　application　progress　of　CNCs　chiral　liquid　crystals　in　the　fields　of　anti-counterfeiting　materials，template　materials，other　functional　materials　and　biomedicine　is　also　summarized.　Finally，the　challenges　and　research　prospects　of　CNCs　chiral　liquid　crystals　are　addressed.　©　2025　Chinese　Academy　of　Sciences.　All　rights　reserved.