In recent years, the fields of plasmonics and metamaterials have undergone remarkable advancements, fundamentally altering the landscape of photonics and opening doors to groundbreaking applications across diverse scientific and technological domains. This review paper meticulously presents a survey of the recent strides achieved in plasmonics and metamaterials, focusing on their remarkable capacity for nanoscale manipulation and their pivotal role in propelling the trajectory of next-generation photonics solutions. Through a comprehensive exploration of pivotal advancements and game-changing breakthroughs, coupled with a nuanced analysis of their implications for emerging applications, this review illuminates the profound and transformative potential harbored by these specialized domains. In essence, the paper not only captures the current state of affairs but also offers insights into how these dynamic subfields are poised to shape the future of photonics.