Based on morphology alone, three major hypotheses had been proposed until 2007 and seemed to be consensus for some time—however, in 2018, Wahlberg & Johanson published the most current phylogeny supported by extensive genetic data, changing the relationship between quite a few families and tribes.

[3] The majority of these insects are predatory, often with large compound eyes (sometimes covering almost the entire surface of the head), and tend to be associated with moist, temperate habitats.

Several species within Empidoidea are of particular interest to ethologists and ecologists, due to elaborate mating rituals and life histories involving freshwater.

[3] The Brachystomatinae and Microphorinae are sometimes elevated to full family status, too, but this would apparently make the Empididae and Dolichopodidae paraphyletic and thus they are retained as subfamilies here.

[3] The families are:[1][3] Based on the most recent phylogenetic studies,[3] the internal classification of Empidoidea is as follows: Atelestinae Nemedininae Bicellariinae Drapetini Symballaphthalmini Tachydromiini Trichininae Ocydromiinae Hybotinae Oedaleinae Dolichopodidae Iteaphilinae Ragadinae Clinocerinae Brachystomatini Ceratomerini Trichopezini Chelipodini Empidini Hemerodromiini Hilarini