Abstract: The Curvelet transform has received more and more attention in recent years due to its unique characteristics. This transform was developed from the wavelet transform and it has overcome some inherent limitations of wavelet in representing directions of edges in image. The applications of Curvelet transform reveal its great potential in image processing. In this paper, the theory and implementation of Curvelet transform is summarized, its representative applications are introduced in view of their corresponding effects and characteristics compared with other prevailing techniques. Finally, the prospect of its applications in image processing is discussed.