Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) afford a profound impact on our modern daily life. However, LIBs are approaching the theoretical energy density, due to the inherent limitations of intercalation chemistry; thus, they cannot further satisfy the increasing demands of portable electronics, electric vehicles, and grids. Therefore, battery chemistries beyond LIBs are being widely investigated. Next-generation lithium (Li) batteries, which employ Li metal as the anode and intercalation or conversion materials as the cathode, receive the most intensive interest due to their high energy density and excellent potential for commercialization. Moreover, significant progress has been achieved in Li batteries attributed to the increasing fundamental understanding of the materials and reactions, as well as to technological improvement. This review starts by summarizing the electrolytes for next-generation Li batteries. Key challenges and recent progress in lithium-ion, lithium–sulfur, and lithium–oxygen batteries are then reviewed from the perspective of energy and chemical engineering science. Finally, possible directions for further development in Li batteries are presented. Next-generation Li batteries are expected to promote the sustainable development of human civilization.