The dangerous rock in the Three Gorges Reservoir area has the characteristics of concealment, sudden occurrence, strong destructiveness, and great hazard. The deterioration of rock mass caused by periodic fluctuations of reservoir water level has become a critical threat to the long-term stability of these hazardous rocks. In recent years, scholars have conducted extensive research on the damage and disaster mechanisms of rock mass under the influence of water level fluctuations, as well as on instability models of dangerous rocks and stability calculation methods. Comprehensive analysis and research have led to the conclusion that advancements in testing methods, techniques, and equipment for assessing rock mass damage caused by water-rock interaction have deepened the understanding of disaster mechanisms related to rock mass deterioration and instability modes of dangerous rocks influenced by water level fluctuations. Furthermore, various calculation methods for evaluating dangerous rock stability have been developed. However, there are still six areas worthy of further study: disaster mechanisms and failure characteristics related to water-related hazardous rocks; laboratory simulation experiments under complex dynamic mechanical environments, in-situ tests, and large-scale structural plane detection; regularity and spatial expression of rock mass damage; studies on instability models for dangerous rocks under complex dynamic conditions; cumulative damage assessment and long-term stability studies; instability failure modes associated with water-related hazardous rocks; as well as application of remote sensing technology and machine learning methods.