Tear resistant flexible polymeric film having at least one embossed zone, the at least one embossed zone comprising a plurality of adjacent embossed patterns (8) through the film material, each embossed pattern (8) comprising either at least one spiral embossed rib formation (12) having a plurality of turns spaced from each other by corresponding spiral less-embossed film material (20) or an array of concentric embossed rib formations (12) spaced from each other by corresponding concentric less-embossed film material (20), wherein the embossed rib formation or formations (12) are formed by stretching the film material thereof relative to said less-embossed film material (20). The film may be in the form of a bag, particularly a thin-walled disposable bag, in which the embossed patterns (8) increase the tear resistance of the bag. The embossed patterns may extend across the entire embossed zone.