The development of advanced cathode materials for zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) is a critical step in building large-scale green energy conversion and storage systems in the future. Manganese dioxide is one of the most well-studied cathode materials for zinc-ion batteries due to its wide range of crystal forms, cost-effectiveness, and well-established synthesis processes. This review describes the recent research progress of manganese dioxide-based ZIBs, and the reaction mechanism, electrochemical performance, and challenges of manganese dioxide-based ZIBs materials are systematically introduced. Optimization strategies for high-performance manganese dioxide-based materials for ZIBs with different crystal forms, nanostructures, morphologies, and compositions are discussed. Finally, the current challenges and future research directions of manganese dioxide-based cathodes in ZIBs are envisaged.