Linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and Nylon 6 films used for food packaging application were subjected to e‐beam (EB) irradiation at different doses in the range of 0 to 80 kGy. The mechanical, barrier, optical and thermal properties of the irradiated films were evaluated and compared with the non‐irradiated films. A notable decrease in oxygen transmission rate (OTR) was observed for BOPP and Nylon 6 specimens after irradiation, whereas for PET samples, no significant change was noticed. Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) was found to exhibit a decreasing trend for PET and Nylon 6 samples but remains unchanged for BOPP after EB irradiation. Tensile strength (TS) of Nylon 6 and LLDPE films was found to increase upon irradiation up to 20 kGy, whereas for BOPP, a clear decreasing trend was observed. No significant change in TS and elongation at break was observed for PET film after irradiation. The melting temperature (Tm) and enthalpy of melting (ΔHm) were decreased with EB dose as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies.