Abstract For a successful transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles and from conventional power plants to renewable energy supply, battery technology plays a vital role. Accordingly, battery research and development (R&D) efforts have been increased considerably over the past decades, particularly regarding materials and cell chemistries to further improve the electrochemical performance of lithium ion batteries. The impetus behind such massive R&D has been the replacement of metallic lithium anodes, a notorious for potentially catastrophic shorting by lithium metal dendrites. However, despite the promise of a step improvement in energy density outperforming established LIB technology, the commercial introduction of cells with alternative anode materials in the mass market is slow. Against this backdrop, the aim of the present study is to provide an overview of current developments in the academic and industrial research arena, summarising the historical development of scientific literature and patent landscape beyond established anode materials. The study identifies and critically reviews tin, silicon, silicon oxide, aluminium and titanium-based anode materials as promising pathways to develop high-energy density next-generation LIBs.