The present invention discloses a video file playing method and apparatus. The method comprises steps of scanning a current buffering value of a video player in a process in which the video player plays a video file; determining whether the current buffering value is greater than a preset buffering threshold; if it is determined that the current buffering value is greater than the buffering threshold, obtaining a jumping time length, wherein the jumping time length is obtained according to the current buffering value and a first play buffering value; and continuing to play a video file by jumping for the jumping time length from a frame freezing moment, wherein the frame freezing moment is a moment at which data in a buffer of the video player is finished playing. The method resolves a technical problem of delay accumulation caused by network congestion and frame freezing.