Atherosclerosis is one of the major causes of the high morbidity and mortality worldwide because of severe complications caused by vulnerable plaque rupture, such as myocardial infarction. With high resolution on soft tissue, magnetic resonance(MR)molecular imaging, combined with molecular contrast agents, may achieve plaque-targeted accurate imaging. Since the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is more deeply investigated, and the synthetic technology is more advanced, there are more molecular contrast agents of great values for conversion. MR molecular imaging will provide evidence of diagnosis, classification and precision treatment for atherosclerosis. This essay reviewed recent advances in atherosclerotic MR molecular contrast agents.