Ischemic stroke is one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, there is a dearth of effective drugs and treatment methods for ischemic stroke. Significant numbers of circular RNAs (circRNAs) exhibit abnormal expression following ischemic stroke and are considered potential therapeutic targets. CircRNAs have emerged as promising biomarkers due to their stable expression in peripheral blood and their potential significance in ischemic stroke diagnosis and prognosis. This review provides a summary of 31 circRNAs involved in the pathophysiological processes of apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis following ischemic stroke. Furthermore, we discuss the mechanisms of action of said circRNAs and their potential clinical applications. Ultimately, circRNAs exhibit promise as both therapeutic targets and biomarkers for ischemic stroke.