The semiconducting thin film materials are the main key elements in the fields of photonic, electronic and magnetic devices. The preparation of materials in the form of thin films allows easy incorporation into various through changing the properties of materials and reducing the size. The core benefits of thin film systems are cost reduction and efficiency of devices. They are widely used for the protection of surfaces, chemical resistance and to modify electrical and optical properties. The study on semiconducting thin films is rapidly growing due to their constructive applications in wireless communication, solar cells, semiconductor devices, integrated circuits, magneto-optic memories, light emitting diodes, multifunctional protective coatings, liquid crystal displays, and so on. This review explains about recent achievements in the photocatalytic nanostructured semiconducting thin films, their deposition, fabrication methodologies, controlling of film micro/nanostructures, physicochemical properties, photocatalytic mechanism and its photocatalytic applications in the fields of energy such as hydrogen generation, CO2 reduction to useful chemicals, and environmental remediation such as photodegradation of harmful bacteria and toxic chemicals. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.