Thin films of solid lubricious metal chalcogenides, such as MoS.sub.2, are grown on stainless steel substrates by pulsed laser evaporation (P.L.E.). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of PLE deposited MoS.sub.2 films grown at substrate temperatures up to 300.degree. C. have the same stoichiometry as bulk MoS.sub.2. MoS.sub.2 PLE deposited films grown at 450.degree. C. are sulfur rich. These laser-deposited films have a granular structure and exhibit none of the dendritic structures typically observed in sputter-deposited films. The coefficients of friction of PLE films were measured in laboratory air and ranged from 0.09-0.25; the majority of values were between 0.16 and 0.20. These frictional coefficients are in the appropriate range for a solid lubricant.