The purpose of this study is to introduce cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) to the triacetyl cellulose (TAC) matrix and to evaluate the physical properties of the prepared nanocomposite films. To disperse CNCs in the TAC matrix, the surfaces of nanofillers were chemically modified. The optical, thermal, and mechanical properties were characterized experimentally. The results revealed that the addition of CNCs resulted in the significant enhancement of mechanical properties and did not aggravate the good optical properties of pure TAC films. In addition, a morphological observation was carried out. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3228–3233, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers