RNA methylation is a critical posttranscriptional modification that influences cellular functions and disease progression, accounting for over 60% of all RNA modifications. It plays a significant role in RNA metabolism, affecting RNA processing, stability, and translation, thereby modulating gene expression and cell functions essential for proliferation, survival, and metastasis. Recent studies have shown that disruptions in RNA methylation are implicated in various aspects of cancer progression, particularly in metabolic reprogramming and immunity. This review summarizes the fundamental characteristics of RNA methylation and its impact on RNA metabolism and gene expression. It highlights the intricate relationship between RNA methylation, cancer metabolic reprogramming, and immunity, using the well-characterized phenomenon of cancer metabolic reprogramming as a framework to discuss RNA methylation's specific roles and mechanisms in cancer progression. Furthermore, it explores the potential of targeting RNA methylation regulators as a novel approach for cancer therapy. By underscoring the complex mechanisms by which RNA methylation contributes to cancer progression, this review provides a foundation for developing new prognostic markers and therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating RNA methylation in cancer treatment. RNA methylation modifications include m6A, m1A, m6Am, m7G, Ψ, and m5C. These modifications are regulated by methyltransferases, demethylases, and effector proteins. The m6A modification is the most common, accounting for 60% of all RNA methylation modifications. It is involved in various RNA metabolism processes, including RNA splicing, export, stability, translation, and degradation. The m1A modification is found in tRNA and rRNA and plays roles in ribosome biogenesis and antibiotic resistance. The m6Am modification is involved in the biosynthesis of snRNA and the regulation of RNA splicing. The m7G modification is involved in the regulation of RNA splicing and mRNA cap-dependent translation. The Ψ modification is the earliest identified modified nucleoside in RNA and is highly abundant. The m5C modification is found in tRNA and rRNA and is involved in the regulation of RNA stability and ferroptosis. RNA methylation influences almost every step of RNA metabolism, from splicing and export in the nucleus to translation and degradation in the cytoplasm. Aberrant RNA methylation has been implicated in various aspects of cancer progression, including metabolic reprogramming and immunity. The review also discusses the potential of targeting RNA methylation regulators as a novel approach for cancer therapy. The findings emphasize the intricate associations between RNA methylation, RNA metabolism, and cancer development in different cellular contexts. Disruption of these processes contributes to the initiation and advancement of cancer. Gaining a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that underlie these connections could offer valuable insights into the development of innovative therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment.RNA methylation is a critical posttranscriptional modification that influences cellular functions and disease progression, accounting for over 60% of all RNA modifications. It plays a significant role in RNA metabolism, affecting RNA processing, stability, and translation, thereby modulating gene expression and cell functions essential for proliferation, survival, and metastasis. Recent studies have shown that disruptions in RNA methylation are implicated in various aspects of cancer progression, particularly in metabolic reprogramming and immunity. This review summarizes the fundamental characteristics of RNA methylation and its impact on RNA metabolism and gene expression. It highlights the intricate relationship between RNA methylation, cancer metabolic reprogramming, and immunity, using the well-characterized phenomenon of cancer metabolic reprogramming as a framework to discuss RNA methylation's specific roles and mechanisms in cancer progression. Furthermore, it explores the potential of targeting RNA methylation regulators as a novel approach for cancer therapy. By underscoring the complex mechanisms by which RNA methylation contributes to cancer progression, this review provides a foundation for developing new prognostic markers and therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating RNA methylation in cancer treatment. RNA methylation modifications include m6A, m1A, m6Am, m7G, Ψ, and m5C. These modifications are regulated by methyltransferases, demethylases, and effector proteins. The m6A modification is the most common, accounting for 60% of all RNA methylation modifications. It is involved in various RNA metabolism processes, including RNA splicing, export, stability, translation, and degradation. The m1A modification is found in tRNA and rRNA and plays roles in ribosome biogenesis and antibiotic resistance. The m6Am modification is involved in the biosynthesis of snRNA and the regulation of RNA splicing. The m7G modification is involved in the regulation of RNA splicing and mRNA cap-dependent translation. The Ψ modification is the earliest identified modified nucleoside in RNA and is highly abundant. The m5C modification is found in tRNA and rRNA and is involved in the regulation of RNA stability and ferroptosis. RNA methylation influences almost every step of RNA metabolism, from splicing and export in the nucleus to translation and degradation in the cytoplasm. Aberrant RNA methylation has been implicated in various aspects of cancer progression, including metabolic reprogramming and immunity. The review also discusses the potential of targeting RNA methylation regulators as a novel approach for cancer therapy. The findings emphasize the intricate associations between RNA methylation, RNA metabolism, and cancer development in different cellular contexts. Disruption of these processes contributes to the initiation and advancement of cancer. Gaining a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that underlie these connections could offer valuable insights into the development of innovative therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment.