The application relates to a nonwoven composite containing a lofty nonwoven layer and a film. The lofty nonwoven layer contains a plurality of primary fibers and defines a plurality of peak regions and a plurality of valley regions. The film contains a thermoplastic polymer and has a peak film thickness in the peak regions of the layer. The film is present on at least a majority of the second surface of the nonwoven layer. Within the valley regions, the film encapsulates a plurality of fibers from the nonwoven layer. The cross-sectional area fraction of total fibers in the film within the valley regions is at least about 8% and the cross-sectional area fraction of total fibers in the film within the peak regions is less than about 5%.