In recent years, energetic metal-organic frameworks(E-MOFs) have received worldwide research attention due to their promising characteristics of both high energy level and low sensitivity. The design and syntheses of new E-MOFs with new structures, high energy level and excellent safety property have become a research hotspot in the field of energetic materials. Up to now, the energetic organic ligands that have been used for the construction of E-MOFs can be classified into three major categories: small molecular energetic ligands (azide anion and hydrazine), nitrogen-rich heterocyclic ligands (triazole, tetrazole and derivative), energetic ligands with multiple explosophores (e.g. nitro group). According to above classification of three energetic ligands, in this paper, we briefly reviewed the recent advances of E-MOFs from the standpoints of their self-assembly strategies, energy level, and safety issues. After systemically analyzing above advances in the field of E-MOFs, it can be conclude that the rational design and selection of nitrogen-rich multbentate energetic ligand molecules and their self-assembly metal ions are the key to successfully construct novel E-MOFs, since different self-assembly methods will determine the topologies of the E-MOFs′networks and thereby significantly influence the physicochemical properties of the resulting E-MOFs. As a newly emerging class of energetic materials, E-MOFs have exhibited unique properties including high energy level and low sensitivity, demonstrating the important research value and development potential among the applications of solid propellant formulations and laser initiation fields.