To provide an optical film having a smaller number of curls, fewer unevenness, no cracks and excellent visibility when a metal oxide layer is formed using the film.

In the optical film, a dope containing a solvent ester containing substantially no chlorine-based solvent and a cellulose whose total acyl group substitution degree is 2.6-2.85, and whose molecular weight distribution ratio Mw/Mn is 1.0-3.0 is made to flow and extend on a metal support, dried until it can be peeled, then, peeled. Thereafter, a metal oxide layer is formed directly or via other layers on a cellulose ester film obtained by drying while imparting a tension in the width or longitudinal direction.