​In this work, thin films of the well-known metal–organic framework ZIF-8 were formed on zinc oxide nanorods through the reaction with 2-methyl-imidazole solution (Hmim). Deposition of a thin film of the linker solution allows the underlying zinc oxide nanorod morphology to be preserved, resulting in the facile and precise formation of nanostructured hybrid materials in short reaction times and under conventional heating. The effect of various synthesis parameters on the morphology of the resulting thin film is reported.