The work aims to provide reference for the further development of intelligent packaging by analyzing its development status, tendency and prospect. Firstly, the research status of the intelligent packaging was summarized by means of domestic and overseas literature search and data collection. Secondly, the development status and working principle of the structural, the information-based and the functional material intelligent packaging were emphatically expounded by case analysis method. Finally, the current dilemma of intelligent packaging was summarized by means of problem induction. Meanwhile, the application prospect of intelligent packaging was expected. The structural intelligent packaging makes the packaging more secure, reliable or convenient by improving or enhancing part of the packaging structure. The information-based intelligent packaging can intelligently record or reflect the information about the product packaged based on radio frequency identification (RFID) or QR code technology. Because the functional material intelligent packaging can directly reflect the freshness of food, it has been widely applied in the field of food packaging. Color-changing and light-emitting intelligent packaging is the main force. Packaging combined with 3D printing or virtual reality (VR) technology is a representative of the new type of intelligent packaging, which has advantages in increasing the added value of products and packaging interaction. Intelligent packaging is the development direction of packaging in the future. The market prospects of intelligent packaging are promising. More resources should be invested in intelligent packaging research in China, especially in theoretical research.