Copper oxide/chitosan nanocomposite (CCNC) specimens were fabricated via a simple solvent evaporation route. The presence and intercalation of chitosan and CuO within the nanocomposites were explored using advanced analytical techniques of X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analyses and the scanning electron microscopy. The prepared nanocomposite was then incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix to fabricate a tricomponent composite. The resultant tricomponent composite was characterized for various chemo-physical and mechanical properties using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the mechanical testing. The DSC results indicated that the glass transition temperature of PVA decreased on incorporating the CCNC into the PVA matrix; this also enhanced the tensile strength and flexibility of the resulting films. The prepared tricomponent films may find potential applications in sensing and catalysis.