Multifunctional coatings represent the most widely used strategy for extending the service life of metallic materials in harsh environments. However, coating performance is determined by the designed functional fillers, or the micro/nano-containers. Attapulgite (ATP) has attracted increasing attention in multifunctional coating systems because it can simultaneously improve barrier performance, act as a micro/nano-container for active agents, form surface micro- and nanostructures and regulate interfacial properties. These features enable its broad use in superhydrophobic, anti-corrosion, anti-bacterial/anti-fouling, self-cleaning/anti-smudge and anti-icing coatings. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in ATP-based multifunctional protective coatings. It examines the main pretreatment strategies for ATP, including thermal treatment, acid/alkali activation, hydrothermal treatment and solvothermal treatment, together with their influence on channel characteristics, surface activity, dispersibility and matrix compatibility. The diverse roles of ATP in coating systems are further discussed, ranging from barrier-phase reinforcement and micro/nano-container construction to roughness generation and interfacial functional regulation, as well as the corresponding protective mechanisms. By integrating the discussion of passive barrier enhancement and active functional protection, this review offers a unified perspective on the design of ATP-based multifunctional coatings. In addition, current challenges and future research directions are briefly outlined to promote the practical development of high-performance ATP-enabled protective coatings.