The primary objective of this research is to investigate the mechanical and tribological characteristics of thin coatings that consist of graphite-like carbon (GLC) and chromium nitride (CrN). The incorporation of GLC and CrN coatings offers a synergistic effect by leveraging the wear-resistant properties of CrN and the low-friction and lubricating properties of GLC. Unbalanced closed-field magnetron sputtering was employed to deposit CrN/GLC coatings onto SDC90 steel. The microstructure, mechanical, and tribological properties of the coatings were comprehensively studied and compared. From the Raman, the ID/IG of the GLC coatings improved from 1.7 to 2.7 by changing the GLC coating thicknesses from 0.2 to 2.0 μm. The records displayed that changing the GLC coating thickness of the CrN/GLC coating can reduce the surface toughness, adhesion strength, and critical loads (the critical loads of S1 and S2 > 40 N, the critical load of S3 < 30–40 N). On the contrary, by changing the GLC coating thickness, the elasticity modulus (from 144.88 to 169.60 GPa), hardness (from 10.27 to 14.32 GPa), and tribological properties of the coatings were positively affected. Regarding the impact friction and wear behavior, the thicker GLC coatings show excellent properties with a lower wear volume and wear rate. The knowledge acquired about the GLC coatings can be utilized to enhance the impact friction and wear of the cold work die steels. Graphical Abstract