The work aims to review the substrate types of MOF/polymer composite films at home and abroad, and summarize the research progress of surface modification or embellishment method of polymer substrates, so as to enrich the types of MOF/polymer composite films to a certain extent. The substrates of MOF/polymer composite films were summarized and analyzed, that is, the latest research results were obtained by selecting polyester, polyamide, polyvinyl alcohol, polystyrene and polysulfone as substrates. The methods of surface modification or embellishment of polymer substrates and their main mechanisms were described. The application of MOF/polymer composite films was also prospected. The substrate types of MOF/polymer composite films, and the modification or embellishment method of the substrate surface showed a trend of diversification, but the simplicity and universality of the preparation of MOF/polymer composite films needed to be further improved. After summarizing the existing substrate types of MOF/polymer composite films and analyzing their surface modification or embellishment method, a good foundation has been laid for further developing the application potential of MOF/polymer composite films.