One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

  • 96% of critics liked it
    (54 reviews)

  • 95% of users liked it
    (229,520 ratings)

With an insane asylum standing in for everyday society, Milos Forman's 1975 film adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel is a comically sharp indictment of the Establishment urge to conform. Playing crazy to avoid prison work detail, manic free spirit Randle P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) is sent to… More

Play Trailer

R,
Directed By
Written By
Bo Goldman /Lawrence Hauben
Genres
Drama, Classics, Comedy
In Theaters
Nov 19, 1975 Limited
United Artists

Critic Reviews

  • Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly

    There's a lot here. But with a classic like Cuckoo's Nest, too much is never enough.

  • Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

    One Flew over the Cuckoo 's Nest is an earnest attempt to make a serious film. But in the end the movie backs away from both the human reality and the cloudy but potent symbolism that Ken Kesey found in the asylum.

  • James Berardinelli, ReelViews

    Viewed 30 years after its release, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest remains a very good motion picture, although one that perhaps just misses the pinnacle of greatness where its reputation suggests it resides.

  • A.D. Murphy, Variety

    Jack Nicholson stars in an outstanding characterization of Ken Kesey's asylum anti-hero, McMurphy, and Milos Forman's direction of a superbly-cast film is equally meritorious.

  • Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

    Jack Nicholson plays McMurphy as if he were born to it, and the supporting cast provides fine, detailed performances.

Read all 19 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Carlos M


    Among a superb cast, Jack Nicholson is super charismatic as a free-spirited character who refuses to abide by the rules at a mental institution. A great drama that has its best moments when showing his obstinate attempts to get through to people who have given in to conformism.

  • Jeff "


    One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest is a terrific, well acted and told Drama film. Jack Nicholson delivers a strong, funny and dramatic performance as Randle McMurphy. Louise Fletcher also delivers as Nurse Ratchet, one of the greatest film villains in cinematic history; she plays… More

  • Eric S


    Don't be fooled by how old this film is, it still holds up today. "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is one of my all time favorites, and rightly so. It has amazing acting and a powerful story. What you don't expect from this film is suspense, but to be… More

  • Graham J


    One of the best and most important films of the 1970's is still powerful today. The script (from a story by Ken Kesey) is magnificent and this is the role that made Jack Nicholson.

  • Directors C


    A great film but also an amazing adaption. One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest is an emotional rollercoaster with memorable characters and performances and a cleverly inserted political subtext that never ceases to manipulate and entertain among the occasional multiple viewing. It… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Also available on

UltraViolet Retailers

Other Retailers

Subscription Services

Not Available
Not Available
Not Available

Cast

See more (28)

Trailers & Clips