Gelatin films incorporated without and with three essential oils (ginger, turmeric and plai) at different levels (25, 50 and 100% w/w, based on protein content) were generally flexible and easy to handle. Film had the increased flexibility and extensibility but decreased transparency with increasing essential oil concentration, regardless of types of essential oil used. In general, there was no oil exudates on the film incorporated with low concentration (25%) of essential oil; however, at high concentration of essential oil (100%), some oil exudates were found at the surface of the films. In the presence of root essential oils, fishy odor of gelatin films was masked. The smell intensity of essential oil in films increased with increasing essential oil level. This might limit the application of the film in food when it was incorporated with essential oil at the high amount. However, smaller amount (25%) of essential oil added did not cause the detrimental effect on smell perception or unacceptability of the film.