Amphibians provide essential ecosystem services and are facing global decline. Exposure to contaminants is a contributing factor with permeable skin and early aquatic life likely increasing amphibian susceptibility. Metamorphosis, which involves degeneration of tissues and high energy expenditure, may also increase their susceptibility and metal exposure may result in delays to metamorphosis or reduced growth. Understanding how metal burden changes due to metamorphosis and the effects metals have on post-metamorphic amphibians is essential to ensure water quality guidelines are sufficient for their protection. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify the changes in metal whole-body burden and biodistribution pre-and post-metamorphosis and the effects including delayed metamorphosis and post-metamorphosis size. Most metals analysed were found to be at higher concentrations in amphibians pre-metamorphosis suggesting most metals can be successfully excreted prior to or during metamorphosis. Only two articles were identified that compared changes in biodistribution with both reporting increasing concentrations in the gut from pre- to post-metamorphosis. No laboratory studies identified significant effects relating to metamorphosis at concentrations below United States Environmental Protection Agency water quality criteria, however in field studies delays to timing or growth were observed where all analysed metals were below criteria. Many articles also did not reach suggested minimum reporting standards, particularly for the reporting of water conditions that could affect toxicity of metals. As well as further research on metals that are understudied and increasing biodistribution studies to identify the implications for sublethal effects in adults, future research needs to reach recommended reporting standards.