The work aims to research the effect of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with different concentrations on the properties of poly-(vinyl alcohol) film. The PVA films containing MCC with different concentrations (0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% of PVA weight) were prepared by solution casting method. The effect of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with different concentrations on the properties of poly-(vinyl alcohol) film was detected and analyzed, including color, optical property, mechanical property, barrier property, thermal stability and topographical microstructure. With the increasing concentration of MCC, the light transmittance and elongation at break of the PVA films decreased significantly, and the haze and tensile strength increased significantly. Compared with the pure PVA film, the tensile strength of the PVA film containing 4% MCC increased by 64.8% and the elongation at break decreased by 14.7%. The water vapor transmission coefficient of the PVA films decreased significantly. When the concentration of MCC increased from 0% to 3%, the oxygen transmission coefficient of the PVA films decreased from 2.145×10-16 cm3•cm/(cm2•s•Pa) to 1.393×10-16 cm3•cm/(cm2•s•Pa). However, the oxygen transmission coefficient of the PVA film containing 4% MCC increased slightly. The thermal stability of PVA films was improved and their initial decomposition temperatures slightly increased with MCC added to the films. The agglomeration of large particles on the surface and part of the cross section of the PVA film containing 4% MCC was observed. The mechanical property, hydrophobicity, barrier property and thermal stability are improved by incorporating MCC in the PVA films. The properties of the PVA films can be improved effectively by properly controlling the addition of MCC.