Near-infrared organic photodetectors (NIR OPDs) own some unique properties such as tailorable optoelectronic properties, ease of processing, compatibility with flexible substrates, and operation at room temperature. Therefore, NIR OPDs are attractive candidates for future electronic products due to the increasingly desired for wearable electronic devices and biomedical applications. In order to fulfill this goal, it is extremely necessary to fabricate high-performance NIR OPDs. In this review, we present a broad overview of advances in NIR OPDs from the perspective of material selection and device performance optimization over the past decade, and we also summarize the potential applications of NIR OPDs. At last, we undergo a deep discussion about the challenges and prospects for the future development of organic NIR OPDs.