Chitosan based biocomposite transparent films reinforced with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles at different loading i.e. 2, 4 and 6 wt% were successfully prepared by solution casting method. Shape, size and geometry of the zinc oxide nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The biocomposite films were subjected to mechanical characterization, thermal analysis, morphology study and moisture uptake behaviour. The characterization tools used here include wide angle X-ray diffraction study, scanning electron microscopic analysis, differential scanning calorimetric analysis and also UV–visible transmittance behavior. SEM micrographs revealed uniformly dispersed ZnO nanoparticles in biocomposite films. Improvement of the tensile strength about 133 % was observed significantly in case of 4 wt% loaded chitosan/ZnO films with respect to the neat chitosan film. 43 % higher transparency was observed in case of 2 wt% ZnO loaded biocomposites films, thus indicating the best combination of properties of 2 wt% ZnO loaded biocomposite films.