Display omitted •CEO and CLO improved physical, thermal and antimicrobial properties of films.•The addition of CEO showed better thermal stability and EO retention than CLO.•Sustained release and enhanced antimicrobial activity were obtained as CEO% increased.•Combined EOs decreased particle size and showed synergistic antimicrobial effects. Chitosan-gum arabic-based polyelectrolyte complexed films with cinnamon essential oil (CEO) and clove essential oil (CLO) were developed. The effect of EO concentrations, types and their combinations on the physical, thermal and antimicrobial properties of films were investigated. The results showed that the incorporation of EOs decreased the ζ-potential and viscosity, but increased the particle size of film-forming dispersions. Films incorporated with CEO and combined EOs exhibited better water barrier properties compared to those with CLO and single EO. Films containing CEO showed lower EO loss and higher thermal stability compared to those containing CLO, and the reason was attributed to the stronger interactions between chitosan, gum arabic and CEO. The combination of EOs resulted in higher retention and delayed release rate in food stimulant, resulting in stronger antimicrobial activities. The performance of films with the CEO and the combined EOs brought new formulation ideas in antimicrobial films.