The susceptibility of digital image communication is a crucial issue in the domain of digital transfer. The image encryption literature has presented numerous cryptosystems to enhance communication security. Image encryption is a widely recognized mechanism employed to uphold the confidentiality of images across a dependable and unrestricted public medium. Recent advancements in image encryption algorithms have utilized various methodologies, including symmetric, asymmetric, chaotic, and spatiotemporal chaos. This scholarly article presents an overview of the diverse categories of image encryption algorithms and their applications. It effectively synthesizes the contributions made by the examined methodologies and compares them across a range of technical perspectives. Further, it outlines both the researcher’s and developer’s perspectives on the current challenges in these as well as the existing gaps in these domains. This summary provides a concise overview of image encryption requirements, image characteristics, and common parameters used to analyze the effectiveness of encryption algorithms. The article delves into the limitations of current image encryption algorithms and outlines Prospective avenues for research and developmental trends in chaotic systems-based image encryption.