Hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures in the world. To restore the integrity of the physiological structure and function of the myofascial layer, abdominal wall hernia repair requires the implantation of meshes for reconstruction. With the rapid development of materials science, more than 200 types of hernia meshes have been applied in clinical practice, but the existing meshes still lack ideal structural design and face many postoperative complications. This article reviews the development and current situation of hernia meshes in detail, including metal materials, synthetic meshes, and biologic meshes, and focuses on the research of intelligent hernia repair materials such as hydrogel and 3D printing in recent years, which provides some reference for surgeons to select meshes.