Anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody is a landmark drug in the field of malignant tumor treatment, and its emergence has resulted in the use of immunotherapy in treating various types of malignancies. A large number of clinical studies abroad have shown that it has a more significant effect than traditional strategies in the treatment of advanced head and neck cancer, and it has a significantly lower incidence of adverse events than chemotherapy. Recently, the clinical application of anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies in China has changed the traditional treatment mode of head and neck malignant tumors. Immunotherapy has become the first-line treatment option for recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer. Furthermore, the indications of PD-1 monoclonal antibodies have been continuously expanded through clinical trials, and their biomarkers have been explored and validated. The application of PD-1 monoclonal antibodies tend to be individualized and precise and potentially improves the treatment levels of advanced head and neck malignancies.