Resveratrol is a kind of natural polyphenol compound with a high content in grapes, peanuts and other plants, and it has been demostrated to be a green anti- cancer drug. Resveratrol may inhibit tumor cells by anti- peroxidation, regulating redox metabolism of cells, interfering with autophagy and reducing cell invasiveness. In recent years, the effects of resveratrol on suppressing the proliferation, inducing the apoptosis and inhibiting angiogenesis of tumor cells have prompted a large interest from researchers, Resveratrol can not only induce the apoptosis of tumor cells via intrinsic or extrinsic pathways and cell cycle arrest, but also inhibit the migration of tumors via modulating collagen degradation related signal target. This paper reviews the research progress of the anti-tutor effect of resveratrol.