<p>In this paper, a novel variant of the NLS equation, i.e., the nonlocal reverse-time NLS equation, which is not only <i>n</i>-component but also shifted type, is proposed and investigated via the Riemann–Hilbert (RH) approach. Firstly, by employing the spectral analysis of the corresponding Lax pair, we explore in detail the spectral structure of the focusing <i>n</i>-component shifted nonlocal reverse-time NLS equation. Secondly, according to the revealed spectral structure, <i>N</i>-soliton solutions of the <i>n</i>-component shifted nonlocal NLS equation are obtained. Thirdly, the dynamical behaviors underlying the obtained soliton solutions are theoretically analyzed and then graphically simulated. The results in this paper are helpful for a deeper understanding of the soliton excitations and dynamical properties governed by <i>n</i>-component shifted nonlocal reverse-time type NLS equations.</p>