The catenary system, which is regarded as a critical component of the high-speed rail traction power supply system, is deemed essential for the normal operation of high-speed trains. It has been demonstrated by previous earthquake disasters that the catenary system is susceptible to varying degrees of damage under seismic effects. The seismic research progress of the catenary system was systematically reviewed from four aspects: the dynamics modeling and inherent dynamic characteristics of the catenary system, the seismic damage characteristics and common types of failures, the seismic response of the catenary system and its influencing factors, and an overview of the current state of earthquake resistance research, which includes a comparative analysis of the seismic design standards and regulations for catenary systems in different countries and regions. By summarizing the relevant research, prospects for future research directions are provided.