The work aims to systematically analyze the development, research dynamics, hotspots, and trends in the field of food antibacterial films. Based on the CNKI and Web of Science (WOS) databases, CiteSpace visualization software was used to conduct a quantitative statistical analysis of literature on food antibacterial films from 2000 to 2024. The number of publications showed steady growth internationally, predominantly in high-quality food science journals. China, Iran, and India were the leading countries in terms of publications, with China contributing the most at 42.83%. Research was primarily concentrated in universities and research institutes, with Jiangnan University in China (21 papers) and Azad University in Iran (40 papers) leading in output; Chinese institutions occupied seven of the top ten global rankings in publication output. Core authors in this field included 44 from China and 37 from other countries. Research hotspots covered preparation techniques, antibacterial performance, and application effectiveness, with frontier studies focusing on natural antibacterial agents and antibacterial efficacy. Globally, food antibacterial film research shows a progressive trend, with increasing depth, scope, and annual attention. China has a prominent academic influence in this field but still has room for improvement. Cross-team and cross-border academic collaboration in this field remains limited, necessitating further strengthening. Studies on antibacterial mechanisms and performance are expected to remain primary research directions in the future.