An article is described herein that includes: a substrate having a glass, glass-ceramic or a ceramic composition and comprising a primary surface; and a protective film disposed on the primary surface. The protective film comprises a thickness of greater than 1.5 microns and a maximum hardness of greater than 15 GPa at a depth of 500 nanometers, as measured on the film disposed on the substrate. Further, the protective film comprises a metal oxynitride that is graded such that an oxygen concentration in the film varies by 1.3 or more atomic %. In addition, the substrate comprises an elastic modulus less than an elastic modulus of the film.