Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are non-hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow that have the advantages of multidirectional differentiation and low immunogenicity. Although liver transplantation is an effective treatment for end-stage liver disease, its clinical application is severely limited by the shortage of donor liver sources and rate of immune rejection. The differentiation of BMSCs into hepatocytes in vitro using different induction method is applied in the treatment of advanced liver disease, and represents a new treatment method for liver injury. This article summarizes the isolation culture, and the common method and mechanisms for inducing BMSC differentiation into hepatocytes that have been described in the literature in recent years. A clear understanding of these processes will provide a strong theoretical basis for future clinical applications of BMSCs in the treatment of end-stage liver disease.