This review, overviews the development and applications of shear deformation (SD) laminated composite plate theories. The present overview mainly focuses on theoretical models based on SD theories of laminated composite plates. This comprehensive review has been categorized with an equivalent single-layer laminate and layerwise laminate theories. An equivalent single-layer laminate theory includes classical laminated plate theory, first-order shear deformation laminated theory, second-order shear deformation laminated theory, third-order shear deformation laminated theory, parabolic shear deformation laminated theory, trigonometric shear deformation laminated theory, hyperbolic shear deformation laminated theory, and higher order shear deformation laminated theory. The layerwise laminate theories include discrete-layer theories and zig-zag theories. In addition, the 3D elasticity solutions theory, the mixed (hybrid) plate theories, unified theories, advanced shear deformation theories, and the recently developed smart composite are also reviewed.