Directionally solidified superalloys are widely used in turbine blades of advanced power propulsion systems such as industrial gas turbines due to their excellent high-temperature strength, creep resistance, corrosion and oxidation resistance, as well as good structural stability and casting properties. Directionally solidified superalloys for gas turbines have been developed from the first generation to the fourth generation by adjusting the proportions of different solid solution strengthening, precipitation strengthening and grain boundary strengthening elements. The intragranular structures are mainly composed of γ phase and γ? phase. There are carbides, borides and other precipitates at the grain boundaries that can pin the grain boundaries. Under the joint influence of these strengthening phases, nickel-based directionally solidified superalloys have better tensile and creep properties that can change with temperature. Starting with the composition characteristics and microstructure characteristics, this article combines the current application status of directionally solidified superalloys in gas turbines, and further analyzes its performance characteristics. Finally, it looks forward to future research on directionally solidified superalloys.