The cerium conversion film was applied to improving the corrosion resistance of Mg-Gd-Y-Zr magnesium alloy. The film was electrodeposited on the surface of the Mg-RE alloy in cerium nitrate solution. The compositions and morphologies were analyzed by X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning election microscopy (SEM). The corrosion behaviors of the film were investigated electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization tests and immersion tests. The results show that the optimum parameters for electrochemical deposition are as follows: pH 10.0, time 30 min, 50 mmol/L Na₂CO₃ and temperature 25 °C by the designed experiments according to the orthogonal table L(9, 3⁴). The corrosion protection efficiency is dependent on the deposition parameters. The cerium conversion film shows better corrosion protection behavior than chromate conversion film on Mg-Gd-Y-Zr magnesium alloy.