Mn²⁺‐doped carbonated hydroxyapatite (Mn‐CHA) thin films were obtained by pulsed laser deposition on Ti substrates. The results of the performed complementary diagnostic techniques, X‐ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy investigations indicate that the films are crystalline with a Ca/P ratio of about 1.64–1.66. The optimum conditions, when nearly stoichiometric crystalline thin films were deposited, were found to be 10 Pa oxygen pressure, 400°C substrate temperature, and postdeposition heat treatment in water vapors at the same substrate temperature. The films were seeded with L929 fibroblast and hFOB1.19 osteoblast cells and subjected to in vitro tests. Both fibroblast and osteoblast cells have a good adherence on the Mn‐CHA film and on the Ti or polystyrene references. Proliferation and viability tests showed that osteoblast cells growth on Mn‐CHA–coated Ti was enhanced as compared to uncoated pure Ti surfaces. Caspase‐1 activity was not affected significantly by the material, showing that Mn‐CHA does not induce apoptosis of cultured cells. These results demonstrate that Mn‐CHA films on Ti should provoke a faster osteointegration of the coated implants as compared to pure Ti. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 71A: 353–358, 2004