To investigate the effects of miR-296 on the growth, migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells by targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1). Methods SK-OV-3 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into control group, miR-296 NC group, miR-296 mimics group, miR-296 mimics + FGFR1 NC group and miR-296 mimics + FGFR1 group. The levels of miR-296 and FGFR1 mRNA were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell viability was detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8). Cell migration and invasion were detected by Transwell assay. Western blotting (WB) was used to detect the expression of proliferation, migration and invasion protein. Double luciferase reporter assay was used to analyze the targeting relationship between miR-296 and FGFR1. Results Compared with those in the control group, the expression of miR-296 in miR-296 mimics group was significantly increased, while the expression of FGFR1 mRNA was significantly decreased (P＜0.05). Compared with those in miR-296 mimics group, the expression of miR-296 in miR-296 mimics+FGFR1 group had no significant difference (P＞0.05), but the expression of FGFR1 mRNA was significantly increased (P＜0.05). Compared with those in the control group, the cell viability, the numbers of migration and invasion cells, the expression of FGFR1, β-catenin, CyclinD1, MMP-2 and N-cadherin in miR-296 mimics group were significantly decreased, while the expression of E-cadherin was significantly increased (P＜0.05). Compared with those in miR-296 mimics group, the cell viability, the numbers of migration and invasion cells, the expression of FGFR1, β-catenin, CyclinD1, MMP-2 and N-cadherin in miR-296 mimics + FGFR1 group were significantly increased, while the expression of E-cadherin was significantly decreased (P＜0.05). Dual luciferase reporter assay showed that there is a targeted relationship between miR-296 and FGFR1. Conclusion MiR-296 may inhibit the EMT pathway of SK-OV-3 cells by targeting FGFR1, and inhibit cell growth, migration and invasion