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One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Play trailer Poster for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest R 1975 2h 13m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 135 Reviews 96% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
When Randle Patrick McMurphy gets transferred for evaluation from a prison farm to a mental institution, he assumes it will be a less restrictive environment. But the martinet Nurse Ratched runs the psychiatric ward with an iron fist, keeping her patients cowed through abuse, medication and sessions of electroconvulsive therapy. The battle of wills between the rebellious McMurphy and the inflexible Ratched soon affects all the ward's patients.
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One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

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Critics Consensus

Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher are worthy adversaries in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, with Miloš Forman's more grounded and morally ambiguous approach to Ken Kesey's surrealistic novel yielding a film of outsized power.

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Critics Reviews

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Adam Kempenaar Filmspotting Aug 3
5/5
[Ratched's] the one in a position of power, and she wields it to hurt, not to heal. Go to Full Review Frank Rich New York Post Feb 25
While Milos Forman has made a frightfully mindless film, he's made it damn well -- cloaking Kesey's irresponsible pap in trappings of immediacy and legitimacy that aren't easily stripped away. Go to Full Review Jack Kroll Newsweek Feb 25
Most of the characters are thinned out... But Forman directs his players superbly, and Louise Fletcher as the nurse turns impassive coolness into a destructive force. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 16
4/4
Equally superb as a comedy, a drama, and a social critique. Go to Full Review Jeff Beck The Blu Spot Nov 11
3.5/5
Even after 50 years, Milos Forman's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest remains an amusing & fascinating film, one that may be held back a little by its rather episodic nature, but which rises on the strength of its brilliant ensemble. Go to Full Review Douglas Davidson Elements of Madness Nov 11
... between Forman’s direction, Nicholson’s performance (as well as that of Will Sampson as “Chief”), and the script, one finds themselves emotionally drained, profoundly moved, and questioning what rehabilitation actually looks like. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Aug 11 Spectacular acting by all the cast. Definately deservd al the nominations it received. My wife and my first time seeing it on the big screen. Absolutely worth it. See more Aug 3 A great movie. Loved Jack Nicholson. See more Jul 19 just an amazing and sad look into how mental institutions were run in many places. Great acting. many layers of society's dysfunction and realities. this book was even part of an English class I took in college back in the early 70's. See more Jul 18 Jack Nicolson at his best. Many other actors in early career roles. From back when movies were an artform. See more Jul 17 Awesome to be able to see this again on the big screen. See more Jul 17 Powerful. Back when movies were made well. See more Read all reviews
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

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Cast & Crew

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Milos Forman

Director

Jack Nicholson

Randle Patrick McMurphy

Louise Fletcher

Nurse Mildred Ratched

Brad Dourif

Billy Bibbit

William Redfield

Harding

Michael Berryman

Ellis, tall bald patient

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One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When Randle Patrick McMurphy gets transferred for evaluation from a prison farm to a mental institution, he assumes it will be a less restrictive environment. But the martinet Nurse Ratched runs the psychiatric ward with an iron fist, keeping her patients cowed through abuse, medication and sessions of electroconvulsive therapy. The battle of wills between the rebellious McMurphy and the inflexible Ratched soon affects all the ward's patients.
Director
Milos Forman
Producer
Michael Douglas, Saul Zaentz
Screenwriter
Lawrence Hauben, Bo Goldman
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
Fantasy Films
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 19, 1975, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jul 13, 2025
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Runtime
2h 13m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Flat (1.85:1)
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