We demonstrate here an effective strategy to construct three-dimensional (3D) metal-graphene based film electrodes. The build blocks are tin nanopartilces well anchored on graphene sheets which were synthesized by a feasible and controllable in situ solvothermal method and a subsequent thermal reduction process. In this study, we found the solvent type is the key and only with organic solvent (ethanol) the desired 3D graphene sheets anchored tin nanoparticles (Sn/GS) films can be obtained. The graphene oxide (GO), which is the original source of conductive GS network, can also serve as a surfactant to inhibit the secondary aggregation of nanoparticles. Accordingly, the homogeneous Sn nanoparticles (∼10nm) can evenly distribute into the GS matrix. The as-obtained self-supporting Sn/GS films, when were used as anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), show promising electrochemical performances. This method not only blazes a new trial for synthesizing Sn/GS nanocomposite films, but also can be extended to develop other free-standing non-noble metal (or alloy) nanoparticles/GS films for wide applications.