Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising cancer treatment modality that leverages the photothermal effect to induce localized thermal therapy, offering precise targeting, convenient drug delivery, and minimal adverse effects. However, PTT faces challenges such as low photothermal conversion efficiency, biosafety, and incomplete tumor elimination. Noble metal nanomaterials, particularly gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, have gained significant attention due to their strong surface plasmon resonance and effective absorption of near-infrared (NIR) light, making them excellent photosensitizers for PTT. This review comprehensively examines the role of noble metal nanomaterials in tumor photothermal therapy, including their mechanisms, applications, and challenges. It highlights the use of these nanomaterials in drug delivery, bioimaging, and combination therapies, such as photothermal and immunotherapy. The review also discusses recent advances and future directions in the field, emphasizing the potential of noble metal nanomaterials to enhance the efficacy and safety of PTT in cancer therapy.Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising cancer treatment modality that leverages the photothermal effect to induce localized thermal therapy, offering precise targeting, convenient drug delivery, and minimal adverse effects. However, PTT faces challenges such as low photothermal conversion efficiency, biosafety, and incomplete tumor elimination. Noble metal nanomaterials, particularly gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, have gained significant attention due to their strong surface plasmon resonance and effective absorption of near-infrared (NIR) light, making them excellent photosensitizers for PTT. This review comprehensively examines the role of noble metal nanomaterials in tumor photothermal therapy, including their mechanisms, applications, and challenges. It highlights the use of these nanomaterials in drug delivery, bioimaging, and combination therapies, such as photothermal and immunotherapy. The review also discusses recent advances and future directions in the field, emphasizing the potential of noble metal nanomaterials to enhance the efficacy and safety of PTT in cancer therapy.