Plastic waste and high production costs associated with alternative materials hinder sustainable food packaging solutions. This review delivers valuable insights into the use of nanocellulose-based materials and their impact on enhancing packaging application properties, especially the mechanical and barrier properties. The versatility of nanocellulose has been the focus of recent research activities, emphasizing its multi-faceted potential across various fields. The incorporation of nanocellulose into various polymer matrices has demonstrated remarkable improvement in mechanical strength and barrier properties. These findings have significant implications, especially in the context of packaging for various food articles, where mechanical strength and barrier performance are of paramount importance. This review highlights the promising role of nanocellulose-based materials in transforming the packaging industry, offering solutions that are not only mechanically robust but also excel in creating effective barriers, thereby addressing crucial considerations in the packaging of diverse food products.