Provided is an arc evaporation source capable of stably retaining an arc spot on the front end surface of a target and apparatus downsizing. An arc evaporation source includes a target to be melted and vaporized from its front end surface by arc discharge and at least one magnet disposed apart from a side surface of the target radially thereof. The magnet is disposed to form a magnetic field satisfying conditions a) and b) below, on the side surface, in a region of up to 10 mm from the front end surface axially of the target: a) an angle which magnetic lines of force forms with the side surface of the target is 45 degrees or less; and b) a component of the strength of the magnetic lines of force along the axial direction of the target is 200 G or more.