Biodegradable starch based films and coatings have been a research focus for food packaging. Phenolic compounds have many benefits for food and health applications. This review summarized the recent advances in the development of starch based films and coatings with added phenolic compounds and extracts. The impact of the added phenolic compounds and extracts on physicochemical, mechanical, barrier, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of starch films and coatings were described. The starch films and coatings with added phenolics were applied in the packaging of both plant and animal based food products with increased shelf life. For intelligent packaging, anthocyanins were formulated into the starch films and coatings to reflect the degree of food freshness. Composite starch materials with the addition of nanoparticles, proteins and other polysaccharides were also formulated to improve the mechanical and biological functions of the films and coatings. Significant limitations in the studies were noted due to the lack of understanding of the nature of starch-phenolics interactions at the molecular level. Overall, optimal formulations of added phenolic compounds and extracts should be obtained to have targeted mechanical, barrier, and biological properties.