Continuous thin liquid film flows over spinning discs present technological advantages in that the liquid film thickness can be controlled by the rotation speed, and can be made very thin, providing very good heat and mass transfer characteristics. A review of the work which has been carried out on such flows is presented. The major results of the most relevant experimental and modelling studies are highlighted. These have demonstrated that the flow is accompanied by complex dynamics, which features the formation of large-amplitude waves. These waves have been shown to enhance the rates of mass transfer and mixing leading to process intensification. Important advances in both modelling and experimentation have been made towards achieving fundamental understanding of the wave dynamics and its exploitation for technological applications in industrial settings. This review concludes with a summary of the current state of the art and suggestions for future research directions.