This paper provides a comprehensive review of intelligent manufacturing in the context of Industry 4.0. Industry 4.0 aims to create intelligent factories through cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing, enabling manufacturing systems to monitor physical processes, create digital twins, and make smart decisions. Intelligent manufacturing uses advanced technologies to achieve flexible, smart, and reconfigurable manufacturing processes, addressing dynamic and global markets. It enables real-time access to physical processes and information flows across supply chains, industries, and companies. Key technologies include IoT, cyber-physical systems, cloud computing, big data analytics, and ICT. The paper reviews 165 papers from Scopus and Google Scholar, highlighting key concepts such as intelligent manufacturing, IoT-enabled manufacturing, and cloud manufacturing. It discusses global movements in intelligent manufacturing, including strategic plans from governments and companies in the EU, US, Japan, and China. The paper also presents current challenges and future research directions. Published data from 2005–2016 show a steady increase in research on intelligent manufacturing. The top sources include journals like the International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology and the Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing. The top universities are Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Beihang University, Zhejiang University, Chongqing University, and Tsinghua University. The top countries are China, the US, and the UK. The paper emphasizes the importance of intelligent manufacturing in realizing the Fourth Industrial Revolution, highlighting the need for further research and development in this field.This paper provides a comprehensive review of intelligent manufacturing in the context of Industry 4.0. Industry 4.0 aims to create intelligent factories through cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing, enabling manufacturing systems to monitor physical processes, create digital twins, and make smart decisions. Intelligent manufacturing uses advanced technologies to achieve flexible, smart, and reconfigurable manufacturing processes, addressing dynamic and global markets. It enables real-time access to physical processes and information flows across supply chains, industries, and companies. Key technologies include IoT, cyber-physical systems, cloud computing, big data analytics, and ICT. The paper reviews 165 papers from Scopus and Google Scholar, highlighting key concepts such as intelligent manufacturing, IoT-enabled manufacturing, and cloud manufacturing. It discusses global movements in intelligent manufacturing, including strategic plans from governments and companies in the EU, US, Japan, and China. The paper also presents current challenges and future research directions. Published data from 2005–2016 show a steady increase in research on intelligent manufacturing. The top sources include journals like the International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology and the Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing. The top universities are Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Beihang University, Zhejiang University, Chongqing University, and Tsinghua University. The top countries are China, the US, and the UK. The paper emphasizes the importance of intelligent manufacturing in realizing the Fourth Industrial Revolution, highlighting the need for further research and development in this field.