The success of lung cancer surgery critically depends on the precise identification of complex pulmonary anatomy and the accurate definition of surgical margins. Virtual reality (VR) technology offers a novel technical approach to addressing these key issues by creating immersive, multisensory and interactive virtual simulation environments. In the preoperative planning phase, VR technology enables non-invasive and precise lesion localization through high-fidelity 3D reconstruction and supports individualized surgical simulation, thereby optimizing surgical strategies. During intraoperative navigation, the integration of VR with augmented reality (AR) or mixed reality (MR) technologies allows for the superimposition of virtual scenes onto the real surgical field. This provides real-time spatial guidance for procedures such as lobectomy or segmentectomy and lymphadenectomy, significantly enhancing surgical precision and safety. In the realm of medical education and training, VR simulators create highly realistic surgical scenarios coupled with immediate feedback mechanisms, offering physicians a risk-free, repeatable training platform that effectively shortens the learning curve. Furthermore, as a non-pharmacological intervention, VR technology has also demonstrated positive effects in alleviating perioperative anxiety and pain in patients. This review systematically examines the specific applications and research progress of VR technology in the field of lung cancer surgery, aiming to provide references for related clinical practices and future research.