The embodiment of the invention discloses a message display method and a terminal device, and relates to the technical field of terminals. The method is used for solving the problem that the promptingfunction and the display function of a message are not flexible enough in the prior art. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a target message, wherein the target message is a messagereceived through a first application; under the condition that the target message comprises at least one preset content, outputting prompt information, the prompt information comprising a target identifier, the target identifier being used for indicating a first interface, and the first interface being an interface, comprising the target message, in the first application; receiving a first input of the user to the target identifier; and in response to the first input, displaying the first interface, and displaying the target message on the first interface in a first preset mode. The scheme isspecifically applied to a message display scene.