The fruits of Chinese hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) have been used as the functional food and folk medicine due to potent antioxidant activity. In this study, polyphenols were extracted from the fruits of Chinese hawthorn and further added into chitosan-gelatin blend films to develop active packaging. The microstructure, physical, mechanical, barrier and antioxidant properties of the films were investigated in details. Results showed epicatechin, chlorogenic acid and procyanidin B2 were the main polyphenols in the extract of hawthorn fruits. The inner microstructure of chitosan-gelatin blend films became more compact when the extract was incorporated. The intermolecular interactions between film matrix and the extract were through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. The incorporation of the extract remarkably increased the thickness, tensile strength and elongation at break of chitosan-gelatin blend films. However, the moisture content, water vapor permeability and light transmittance of chitosan-gelatin blend films were significantly reduced by the addition of the extract. Moreover, chitosan-gelatin blend films containing the extract exhibited potent free radical scavenging ability. Our results suggest Chinese hawthorn fruit extract can be used as a natural antioxidant to improve the mechanical, barrier and antioxidant properties of chitosan-gelatin blend films. •Chinese hawthorn fruit extract was added into chitosan-gelatin blend films.•Film matrix interacted with extract via hydrogen bond and electrostatic interactions.•The extract addition enhanced the mechanical and barrier properties of the films.•Films containing the extract showed dose-dependent free radical scavenging ability.