The quest for solid lubricants for energy-efficient macro-, micro- and nanoscale components has spurred substantial research into two-dimensional materials. Although the tribological properties of traditional two-dimensional (2D) materials like graphene, MoS 2, WS 2, h-BN have been extensively investigated, there exists a notable research gap concerning the frictional behaviour of Rhenium disulfide (ReS 2). ReS 2 stands out as a compelling contender owing to its minimal interlayer bonding and inherent in-plane anisotropy. In this study, we synthesized morphologically distinct ReS 2 films using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique by tuning the growth conditions. The nanoscale frictional properties of these films were then investigated using friction force microscopy (FFM), and the experimental results were further corroborated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our findings reveal a substantial reduction in friction force across all ReS 2 surfaces compared to the SiO 2/Si substrate. Additionally, we observed increased friction with increasing film thickness, which we attribute to morphological variations in the ReS 2 layers. These observations are further explained through an analytical model, providing insights into the interplay between growth kinetics and tribological behaviour. Overall, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of the frictional properties of ReS 2, highlighting its potential as an advanced solid lubricant.