Heterosis, commonly known as hybrid vigor, has played a pivotal role in enhancing crop productivity and quality in cucurbitaceous vegetable crops. This review delves into the mechanisms and applications of heterosis in cucurbitaceous vegetables, including cucumbers, melons, squashes, and pumpkins. We examine the genetic basis of heterosis, encompassing the concepts of dominance, over dominance, and epistasis, which underlie the phenomenon of hybrid vigor. Furthermore, we explore the breeding strategies employed to harness heterosis, including the development of inbred lines, the exploitation of heterotic groups, and the implementation of molecular markers for hybrid prediction and selection.  The practical implications of heterosis utilization in cucurbitaceous vegetables are discussed, highlighting its contributions to yield improvement, disease resistance, fruit quality, and marketability. Additionally, we analyze the challenges associated with heterosis breeding, such as maintaining parental purity, managing heterotic groups, and addressing genetic erosion. Emerging trends in heterosis research, including genomic approaches, bioinformatics tools, and marker-assisted selection, offer promising avenues for accelerating the development of high-performing hybrid varieties tailored to the needs of diverse agroecological environments. Moreover, we explore the socio-economic implications of heterosis adoption, including its impact on farmer livelihoods, consumer preferences, and agricultural sustainability. By synthesizing existing knowledge and identifying research gaps, this review aims to provide valuable insights for breeders, researchers, policymakers, and agricultural practitioners seeking to optimize heterosis utilization in cucurbitaceous vegetable crops and enhance global food security.