Bioactive compounds are a large group of compounds (antimicrobials,antioxidants, nutrients, etc.), but its use in edible fi lms and coatingsfor application on fruits and vegetables has been very importantbecause nowadays the consumers demand fruits and vegetablesthat are fresh, healthy, high quality and easy to prepare. A numberof investigations have shown that the use of additives in edible fi lmsand coatings improve its functionability and provide compounds forhuman health. However, it is necessary to continue research that cangenerate specifi c or tailor-made edible fi lms and coatings for eachproduct with the best characteristics for preservation. In this reviewwe present and analyze the concepts, progress and perspectivesin the design and application of edible fi lms and coatings for fruitsand vegetables in order to defi ne the challenges and opportunitiesthat this topic of study in the fi eld of science, technology and foodengineering.