A magnetic recording medium comprising a substrate, a ferromagnetic metal thin film on the substrate, and a topcoat on the thin film exhibits improved strength and durability when the topcoat is comprised of a plasma-polymerized film prepared by activating a gaseous hydrocarbon monomer or a mixture thereof with a carrier gas into a plasma under specific conditions. The plasma-polymerized film consists of carbon and hydrogen in an atomic ratio of C/H of from 1:1 to 6:1 and has a thickness of 3 to 15 .ANG. and a contact angle with water in the range from 60.degree. to 120.degree.. An organic coating may be present on the plasma-polymerized film.