Tumour recurrence and the high mortality and morbidity associated with malignant brain tumours may be attributed to the failure of current therapeutic modalities (surgery, radiation and chemotherapy) to control the invasion of malignant brain tumour cells into healthy brain tissue. Several in vitro and in vivo models have been developed and used to study brain tumour invasion and cell motility. Here, we review some of the traditional in vitro models of brain tumour invasion and the latest adaptations to the widely used spheroid model. Several research groups studying the mechanisms mediating brain tumour invasion have made important contributions to the field by improving in vitro models of tumour migration and invasion. Sharing these advances will hopefully accelerate experimental discovery and the development of novel anti-invasion brain tumour therapies.