Freeze-thawing cycle, the repeated freezing-thawing process at surface and a certain depth below soil due to seasonal or diurnal changes in heat, is a widespread natural phenomenon in the soil of middle to high latitude and high altitude. In the context of global warming, the extension and frequency of soil freezing-thawing cycle may be enhanced in some regions due to the increased occurrence of discontinuous snow cover and rain-on-snow events. These changes in freezing-thawing cycle may strongly affect soil physical and chemical properties, as well as soil microbial biomass, microbial composition and structure, which in turn would have profound impacts on the key processes of soil nitrogen (N) cycling. At present, available results of the effects of freezing-thawing cycle on the key processes of soil N cycling remain inconsistent. The underlying mechanism is still not clear and the research methods need to be further explored and innovated. Moreover, a comprehensive understanding of the key processes of soil N cycling in response to different patterns of freezing-thawing cycle is not available. Therefore, on the basis of extensive review of the existing research results, this paper summarized the research progresses and underlying mechanisms of the effects of freezing-thawing cycle on key processes of soil N cycling, including mineralization, immobilization, nitrification and denitrification, N leaching and gaseous loss. Additionally, some deficiencies in current research were pointed out. The possible key topics in the future study were also suggested.