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Graphical abstract Highlights • Conversions of non-isocyanide substrates under the catalytic action of metal-isocyanide complexes. • Broad range of (metal-isocyanide)-catalyzed reactions of organic substrates. • General overview of reaction routes, mechanisms, and driving forces. Abstract The catalytic applications of isocyanide metal systems (from early to late transition metals) for organic transformations were systematically reviewed, and the studied transformations are also classified by type regardless of the metal center. A broad range of catalytic reactions of organic substrates has been developed including reactions of alkenes and alkynes, functionalization of E–H and E–E to multiple bonds, alkyl- and aryl-halides activation, nucleophilic addition, electron transfer catalysis, and photochemical reactions. This report gives a general overview of reaction routes, mechanisms, and driving forces and highlights the potential of isocyanide metal species, drawing attention to emerging putative targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]