<p>The rapid expansion of energy-transition technologies, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing has intensified global demand for critical and strategic metals while increasing concerns regarding supply security, geopolitical dependence, and the environmental impacts of primary mining. In this context, electronic waste (e-waste) has emerged as a valuable secondary resource, often containing higher concentrations of critical metals than conventional ores. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of critical and strategic metals recoverable from e-waste, including precious metals, base metals, battery metals, rare earth elements, and semiconductor materials, with emphasis on their applications in energy storage, renewable energy systems, electronics, and defense technologies. A comparative analysis of recovery technologies reveals that hydrometallurgical processes currently offer the most versatile and industrially mature route for selective metal recovery, whereas pyrometallurgical approaches remain effective for bulk processing despite their high energy consumption and environmental footprint. Emerging technologies such as deep eutectic solvents, ionic liquids, bioleaching, electrochemical recovery, and nanomaterial-assisted separations show significant promise for enhancing recovery efficiency and sustainability, although challenges related to scalability, economic viability, and process integration remain. Beyond technological considerations, the review highlights the role of circular economy strategies, including extended producer responsibility, design for recyclability, and critical materials policies, in strengthening resource security and sustainable supply chains. Unlike previous reviews focusing on individual technologies, this work integrates technological, economic, strategic, and policy perspectives to provide a holistic framework for advancing critical metal recovery from e-waste and supporting long-term materials sustainability.</p>