Abstract：High-resolution multibeam bathymetry and seismic reflection data acquired in recent years have revealed that the most destructive submarine landslides commonly exhibit blocky failure, retrogressive evolution, and long runout distances. Unlike conventional submarine landslides, these failures generally occur on gentle continental slopes characterized by low sedimentation rates, weak seismic activity, and low slope gradients. Owing to their low-angle basal detachment surfaces, small thickness-to-length ratios, and long-distance translational movement along laterally continuous weak layers, these landslides are commonly referred to as slab slides. Their distinctive geomorphic and kinematic characteristics indicate that conventional slope stability theories developed for steep-slope failures are insufficient to explain their initiation, evolution, and controlling mechanisms. This review systematically summarizes the current understanding of the geomorphological characteristics, failure processes, and controlling factors of large-scale slab slides reported worldwide. Existing studies demonstrate that weak-layer development constitutes the primary structural prerequisite for slab-slide initiation and long-distance translational movement. Although weak layers develop under different depositional settings, including glacial margins, contourite systems, fjord environments, and deep-sea fans, their formation is fundamentally controlled by differential sedimentation. Variations in sediment permeability and mechanical properties hinder pore-fluid migration, promote excess pore-pressure accumulation, reduce sediment shear strength, and ultimately facilitate slope failure. In addition, the spatial continuity and multi-layer distribution of weak layers strongly influence not only the initiation of individual slab slides but also the repeated occurrence and superposition of multiple failure events, highlighting the high destructive potential of these landslides even under relatively weak external triggering conditions. Despite considerable progress, several key scientific questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding the identification of buried weak layers, the mechanisms governing their evolution, and the dynamic processes controlling slab-slide failure. Future research should integrate high-resolution geophysical imaging, sediment core observations, laboratory geotechnical testing, and three-dimensional numerical simulations to better characterize weak-layer properties and quantify their role in submarine slope instability. Establishing a weak-layer-controlled conceptual framework for slab-slide development will improve our understanding of submarine landslide evolution and provide a stronger scientific basis for marine geohazard assessment, tsunami risk evaluation, and offshore engineering safety.