Radiation therapy is used infrequently for cutaneous melanoma, despite research suggesting benefit in certain clinical scenarios. This review will present data forming the highest level of evidence supporting the use of radiation therapy in all stages of the disease. In early stages of cutaneous melanoma, radiation therapy has been retrospectively described as a primary treatment modality for lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma, with variable rates of success. Adjuvant radiotherapy to the site of a resected tumor has been described in a single phase II prospective study which demonstrated a high rate of local control in advanced tumors. An ongoing prospective randomized study is assessing the effect of radiation therapy in neurotropic melanoma because of retrospective data suggesting high rates of local control in tumors with adverse features. Adjuvant radiation therapy to resected regional lymphatics harboring melanoma has been assessed in two prospective randomized controlled trials, each suggesting improvements in regional control. Finally, radiation therapy has demonstrated palliative effects at the site of distant metastases in the brain, bones and other regions. In conclusion, radiation therapy has a role in the optimal care of patients with cutaneous melanoma; awareness of this is incumbent of clinicians caring for patients with this potentially lethal disease.