<p>Levulinic acid (LA) and its esters, derived from lignocellulosic biomass, are important platform molecules central to the development of sustainable fuels, chemicals, and polymers. Among their valorization methods, the selective catalytic hydrogenation of LA to 1,4-pentanediol has been attracting significant attention due to the wide-ranging applications of 1,4-pentanediol in polymers, pharmaceuticals, coatings, and solvents sectors. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of catalytic strategies for levulinic acid to1,4-pentanediol conversion, encompassing noble-metal, non-noble, bimetallic, and trimetallic systems. Noble-metal catalysts (Au, Pd, Ru, Pt) have demonstrated exceptional activity and selectivity under mild conditions; while cost-effective non-noble systems (Cu, Co, Ni) achieve competitive yields through redox synergy, support modification, and nanoconfinement. Bimetallic and trimetallic catalysts further enhance efficiency by exploiting synergistic interactions between active metals and promoters, enabling yields exceeding 90% with excellent stability and recyclability. The effects of different supports, solvents, and reaction conditions are critically examined, highlighting how bifunctional active sites, hydrogen spillover, and acid–base balance govern the product selectivity. Recent advances include the potential of continuous-flow systems and multifunctional catalysts for industrial application. Finally, future perspectives are outlined, focusing on effectiveness of catalyst, scalability, and designing appropriate process for the large-scale production of 1,4-pentanediol from renewable feedstocks.</p>