Remarkable progress has been made in developing high performance lithium-sulfur batteries, especially in the development cathodes with high energy densities. In this view, the key points for the development of excellent lithium-sulfur batteries cathodes are highlighted in the following areas: sulfur-containing nanotubes/nanofibers, graphene-sulfur electrodes and porous carbon sulfur composites. In addition, the current challenges in this field for practical applications of lithium-sulfur batteries are further discussed.