Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. We aimed to investigate the role of LINC00184 in NSCLC. Migration, proliferation and invasion of NSCLC cells were analysed using the wound healing assay, cell counting kit‐8 assay and transwell assay, respectively. Apoptosis and cell cycle were assessed using flow cytometry. Online bioinformatics tools were utilized to predict downstream microRNAs (miRNA) or genes related to LINC00184 expression. The RNA pull‐down experiment and luciferase reporter assay were performed to verify the predictions thereof. LINC00184, miR‐524‐5p, and high mobility group 2 protein (HMGB2) expression levels in NSCLC tissues and cell lines were detected using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. An NSCLC mouse model was constructed for in vivo experiments. LINC00184 overexpression was observed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines and was found to be correlated with poor prognosis. LINC00184 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, induced cell cycle arrest and accelerated apoptosis in NSCLC cell lines. LINC00184 suppressed tumour growth and proliferation in NSCLC mouse models and directly targeted the miR‐524‐5p/HMGB2 axis. Moreover, the expression levels of LINC00184 and HMGB2 were negatively correlated with miR‐524‐5p expression, whereas LINC00184 expression was positively correlated with HMGB2 expression. LINC00184 affected the cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion in NSCLC via regulation of the miR‐524‐5p/HMGB2 axis.