A technique is described for preparing superconducting cuprate thin films using wet chemical precursors. This new method is simple and inexpensive, and allows facile manipulation of film stoichiometry. A solution of metal acetates in aqueous acetic acid is spun on a substrate, pyrolyzed, and heat treated. A 1600‐A˚ film of Ba2YCu3O7prepared by this method had a room‐temperature resistivity of 500 &mgr;&OHgr; cm,Tc(onset)of 90 K, andR=0 at 58 K. It showed preferential orientation with the orthorhombiccaxis perpendicular to the film, and random azimuthal orientation. The preparation and electrical and microstructural characterization of these films are discussed.