As a kind of cost-effective water-based fracturing fluid system, acrylamide-based polymer, meets the requirements of viscoelasticity and sand-carrying performance under complicated reservoir conditions. In recent years, it was extensively studied and applied to fracturing operations in various oilfields. From the perspective of modification and cross-linking, acrylamide-based polymer fracturing fluids can be divided into the gel fracturing fluid system based on the chemical cross-linking and the composite cross-linking system introducing the supramolecular effect. The molecular structure, cross-linking manner, and action mechanism of the polymers in the two fracturing fluid systems were reviewed. Based on the analysis of their composition and application conditions, it is suggested that the study on the new acrylamide-based polymer fracturing fluid should be focused on enhancing the application under the harsh environment conditions, improving their economic efficiency and enhancing understanding of the micro-mechanism of the fracturing fluids in the future.