Provided are monolayer and multilayer films having improved barrier properties. The monolayer film is a blend of two components: (1) a linear low density polyethylene and (2) a propylene-based polymer, a high density polyethylene, and combinations thereof. The propylene-based polymer can be a propylene homopolymer, a propylene/a-olefin interpolymer, a propylene/ethylene interpolymer, or a propylene/ethylene copolymer. The multilayer film has an inner layer located between two outer layers. The inner layer is composed of one or more of the following: high density polyethylene, and/or any of the foregoing propylene-based polymers. The outer layers may be the same or different and are composed of one or more of the following: linear low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, and any of the foregoing propylene-based polymers. The present films exhibit improved oxygen barrier properties particularly for balage applications.
