The work aims to review the research of cellulose in the field of antibacterial food packaging and analyze the role of cellulose in antibacterial packaging materials and its antibacterial effects. The preparation methods and the antibacterial effects of antibacterial packaging materials based on cellulose, cellulose derivatives and nano-cellulose at home and abroad in recent years were summarized. Besides, the future development of cellulose-based degradable antibacterial food packaging was proposed. Due to the excellent biocompatibility, degradability, reproducibility, and non-toxicity characteristics, natural polymer cellulose became an important resource for developing modern food packaging materials. The cellulose-based food packaging showed excellent mechanical properties and good antibacterial effects and reduced the potential impact of harmful substances in traditional fossil packaging materials on food safety. The cellulose-based food packaging materials are expected to replace fossil packaging materials and ensure food quality and safety to the greatest extent, which is the development direction of modern food packaging industry and has great prospects.