The work aims to review the research results of composite antimicrobial packaging films prepared by zinc oxide nanoparticles and plant essential oil at home and abroad in recent years, with biomass material as the substrate. Through analyzing and summarizing research status and research results at home and abroad, the effects of the addition of two antibacterial agents (zinc oxide nanoparticles and plant essential oils) on the mechanical properties, barrier properties and antibacterial properties of natural biomass films were respectively described. The synergy among these properties was emphatically described and the interaction mechanism among them was discussed. Zinc oxide nanoparticles and plant essential oils were excellent natural antibacterial agents. Their combination could not only change the mechanical and barrier properties of the substrate, but also have excellent antibacterial properties. With biomass material as the substrate, the composite antibacterial packaging film prepared by zinc oxide nanoparticles and plant essential oil is green, environmentally friendly, non-toxic and harmless, with excellent performance and great development potential.