Background <p>Immunophotothermal therapy (IPTT), combining immune checkpoint inhibitors and photothermal therapy, represents a promising synergistic anticancer strategy that enhances tumour-specific immunity alongside localised thermal ablation.</p> Aim <p>This review aims to summarise and critically analyse recent advancements in the development of photothermal agents for IPTT and their synergistic applications with immune checkpoint inhibitors.</p> Methods <p>We focus specifically on the progress in innovative photothermal agent materials, the underlying mechanisms of immunophotothermal synergy, and the resulting antitumor efficacy evidenced by preclinical and clinical findings.</p> Conclusions <p>Furthermore, the key challenges hindering clinical translation and potential future directions are discussed. This comprehensive analysis highlights the current state and prospects of IPTT as an effective multimodal cancer treatment paradigm.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>