Caspases, a group of protease enzymes (cysteine proteases), exist as inactive zymogens in the cells and execute apoptosis (programmed cell death). Caspase‐3, an executioner caspase, plays an imperative role in apoptosis and becomes a primary target for cancer treatment. A number of analogues of quinazoline, quinazolinone, indoloquinazolines, quinone, naphthoquinones, pyrroloiminoquinones, styrylquinolines, tetheredtetrahydroquinoline, fluoroquinolone, thiosemicarbazones, benzotriazole, pyrimidines, chalcone, and carbazoles have been reported till date, representing caspase‐3 mediated apoptosis for cancer therapy. Simultaneously, plant isolates, including lysicamine, podophyllotoxin, and majoranolide, have also been claimed for caspase‐3‐mediated apoptosis‐induced cytotoxicity. Procaspase‐activating compound‐1 (PAC‐1) is the first FDA approved orphan drug, and its synthetic derivative WF‐208 also showed fascinating caspase‐3 mediated anticancer activity. Till date, a large number of compounds have been reported and patented for their caspase‐3‐mediated cytotoxicity and now scientist is also focusing to introduce new compounds in market to encompass anticancer activity.