Thin films containing aligned WO3 nanorods were grown directly onto a W metal plate via a hydrothermal reaction in the presence of Cs2SO4. The films exhibited a much higher photocatalytic activity than WO3 nanoplates and TiO2 thin films under visible light irradiation. Further, the films showed good stability during the photocatalytic reaction. Aligned WO3 nanorods thin film on W foil was successfully synthesized through a one-pot hydrothermal process, and exhibited high photocatalytic performance and good stability under visible light.