Abstract: Chitosan has good biocompatibility and biodegradability, certain antibacterial properties and antioxidant activity, and has potential advantages in food packaging. However, its poor mechanical properties and barrier ability limit its wide uses. The mechanical properties and fresh-keeping performance of the chitosan food packaging film were reviewed. The impact of film-forming condition and substances such as polysaccharide, protein and phenols on tensile strength and elongation at break of the chitosan food packaging film, the impact of film composition on the water barrier property and gas barrier property of the film, the impact of phenoxy groups and other substances on the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the film were discussed in this article. The article could provide some references for the future research.