Deformation, movement, and collapse of the overlying rock strata in coal seams are induced by mining activities, which exert significant impacts on the overburden structure, surface morphology, and geological environment, thereby posing serious threats to mine safety production and the ecological environment of mining areas. Consequently, investigating the spatiotemporal evolution mechanism of overburden deformation and failure is regarded as one of the key issues in mining geological engineering. With the continuous advancement of information technology and numerical computation methods, numerical simulation has been increasingly adopted as an essential tool for studying the patterns of overburden deformation and failure. Beginning with the basic concepts, influencing factors, and conventional research approaches related to overburden deformation, a systematic exposition of theoretical methodologies for strata deformation induced by coal mining was presented. Following this, an overview analysis of the primary research methods for overburden deformation and failure was conducted. The mainstream numerical simulation approaches currently utilized in overburden deformation research were summarized. The advantages, disadvantages, and applicability of different numerical simulation methods were compared and analyzed, and the potential and limitations of these approaches in predicting overburden deformation and elucidating its spatiotemporal evolution mechanisms were explored. The current application status of numerical simulation in overburden deformation studies was described, and it is suggested that improvements in model validation, parameter optimization, and simulation accuracy be implemented to enhance the precision of model simplification, parameter assignment, and boundary condition treatment. These measures are intended to minimize numerical simulation errors, thereby providing a critical evaluative basis for the accurate prediction and effective control of overburden deformation during actual coal mining operations.