As the global population ages and exposure to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) increases over time, the prevalence of cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease is projected to rise significantly without timely public health interventions. This highlights the urgent need to develop strategies that can accelerate the prevention and treatment of NASH. A critical barrier to progress in NASH therapeutics is the absence of well-validated preclinical models that accurately reflect the biology and clinical outcomes of human disease. Consequently, the demand for effective and safe treatments has driven efforts to create robust in vitro and animal models of NASH. These models are essential for understanding disease mechanisms, identifying therapeutic targets, and evaluating the efficacy of single or combination therapies before advancing to human trials. In this discussion, we will explore preclinical models of NASH, emphasizing their translatability and relevance to human disease.