<p>The functional properties of gelatin-based films can be affected by the natural source of gelatin and by the way in which it is obtained from this source. The present work explores the influence of a mild extraction method, comprising maceration with an aqueous eutectic solvent (urea:sodium acetate trihydrate, 60:40) followed by warm water extraction, in films based on fish skin gelatin. These films were prepared using either glycerol or sorbitol as plasticizer, and analogous films made with a commercial fish skin gelatin were made for the purpose of comparison. The films with the gelatin extracted via the eutectic-assisted procedure showed superior barrier performance, with water vapor permeability being ca. 25–31% lower when a 35% plasticizer concentration was used with a film thickness of 100&#xa0;μm (absolute values of 13.35 and 9.45&#xa0;g·mm·m^− 2·d^− 1·atm^− 1 for glycerol or sorbitol as plasticizer, respectively). This was likely due to residual lipids forming hydrophobic domains, in agreement with water contact angles 8–13% higher than those of the equivalent films made with the commercial gelatin. These films also showed some intrinsic antimicrobial activity, as well as greater flexibility (higher elongation at break) and lower tensile strength. In the comparison between plasticizers, glycerol produced smoother and more flexible matrices, whereas sorbitol yielded denser structures that enhanced barrier properties but reduced elasticity. Overall, this work provides proof of the validity of the proposed eutectic-assisted method to produce fish skin gelatin that is well suited for the production of gelatin films with functional properties of interest for food packaging applications.</p>