An image encoding method includes: determining N encoded units from adjacent encoded units of a to-be-encoded unit according to a first preset rule, where a motion prediction mode of the N encoded units is the same as that of the to-be-encoded unit; generating an nth motion vector group by using a first preset algorithm and based on a motion vector of an nth encoded unit; determining, from obtained N motion vector groups according to a second preset rule, one motion vector group as an optimal motion vector group; determining a prediction sample value of each sample unit in the to-be-encoded unit by using a second preset algorithm and based on the optimal motion vector group; and encoding a prediction residual of each sample unit and an index identifier of the optimal motion vector group, to obtain a bitstream corresponding to the to-be-encoded unit.