The main recent advances in Al-based amorphous alloys are discussed in three areas: crystallization behavior, glass-forming ability and minor alloying effects. First, as a brief introduction, the special features and structure-property relationships are presented for the Al-based amorphous alloys. The different models for the nucleation behaviors, such as phase separation model and the quenched-in nuclei model, are compared and evaluated. In addition, an overview is given for the effects of minor alloying additions on glass-forming ability (GFA) and the crystallization behavior in terms of the reported structural, thermodynamic, kinetic factors. •Present features and structure-property relationships of Al-based amorphous alloys.•Different models for the nucleation behaviors are compared and evaluated.•Summarize the effects of minor alloying additions on GFA and crystallization.