The current investigation status of yttria stabilized zirconia(YSZ) thermal barrier coatings(TBCs) was briefly summarized.It is indicated that the traditional YSZ coating has the disadvantage of phase transformation during thermal cyclic and low ability of sintering resistance at high temperature.Because new type of rare-earth zirconate-based series with low thermal conductivity and high ability of sintering resistance will be expected as a new generation materials for thermal barrier coatings,the current research status of ceramic bulk materials and coating materials of rare-earth zirconate-based TBCs were reviewed.And the development direction of this new type of rare earth zirconate-based TBCs for the future application was further discussed.