Graphene-based materials (GBM) are an exceptional type of materials that offer unprecedented application capabilities to the scientific and technologic community. The encapsulation of different materials such as drugs, nanoparticles, polymers, oxides and cells by GBM is leading to outstanding hybrid materials with unprecedented behaviours promising a myriad of advantageous applications, including micro/nanomotors, biosensing platforms, bio/imaging agents, drug delivery systems, potential tumour treatment alternatives, environmental remediation platforms, advanced batteries and novel supercapacitors. We present an overview on graphene-encapsulated materials and their most important synthesis pathways. In addition, we explore the synergistic functionalities provided by these composites and highlight the state-of-the-art related to energy, environmental and bioapplications, among others. Finally, we discuss their challenges and future outlooks. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.