Tin oxides and nickel oxide thin film anodes have been fabricated for the first time by vacuum thermal evaporation of metallic tin or nickel, and subsequent thermal oxidation in air or oxygen ambient. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements showed that the prepared films are of nanocrystalline structure with the average particle size <100nm. The electrochemical properties of these film electrodes were examined by galvanostatic cycling measurements and cyclic voltammetry. The composition and electrochemical properties of SnO x (1<x<2) films strongly depend on the oxidation temperature. The reversible capacities of SnO and SnO2 films electrodes reached 825 and 760mAhg−1, respectively, at the current density of 10μAcm−2 between 0.10 and 1.30V. The SnO x film fabricated at an oxidation temperature of 600°C exhibited better electrochemical performance than SnO or SnO2 film electrode. Nanocrystalline NiO thin film prepared at a temperature of 600°C can deliver a reversible capacity of 680mAhg−1 at 10μAcm−2 in the voltage range 0.01–3.0V and good cyclability up to 100 cycles.