 Nanomaterials have seen a tremendous increase in use for novel cancer therapies due to their unique compositions and properties with researchers utilizing them to enhance photothermal therapies and target the effect on tumor tissue through optical absorption of near-infrared light. New uses for nanomaterials in targeted cancer therapy are coming to light and the efficacy of photothermal therapy has increased dramatically. This work reviews some of the current applications of nanomaterials to enhance photothermal therapy as photothermal absorbers, drug delivery vehicles, photoimmunological agents, and theranostic tools. This article was authored by Austin C. V. Dowdy, Ashley R. Hoover, Eli Violaton, and others.