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One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

(1975, Rated R, Drama, Starring Danny DeVito, Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 16.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Classic film, but not for kids.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 16 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Main character fakes being mentally ill to avoid jail.
  • Violence:

    Patients fight each other. One smothers another. Many are restrained against their will.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Patients are medicated. One is denied cigarettes.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Parents need to know that this film deals with mental illness and mental hospitals. Characters drink, smoke, curse, have sex, fight, and struggle against the hospital's authority structure. The film also depicts the hospital's efforts to control patients through medication, electroshock therapy, and lobotomy. There is a suicide.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about classics. Why do you think this film has lasting appeal? Does it seem dated to you in any way? Since CUCKOO'S NEST is regularly assigned in high school English classes, parents might want to compare and contrast the book versus the movie with their teens.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Cuckoo's Nest

    One flew over the cuckoo's nest is a great movie for family as long as your kids are above ten. Jack Nicholson gives a great performance as R.P. McMurphy. The movie will make you happy and it will make you sad. But all in all it's a great movie. 5/5

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    DIVINE

    EXCELLENT. If there were a 6 star rating, thats what this movie would be.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Wonderful movie

    This movie is great. I like all the main characters except the nurse. The only two things that I don't like about this film is the suicide and the smothering.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Great Film!

    This was a great film that teens will really like! 13 or 14 and up will be fine.

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Nevada
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    One of the defining films of the 1970's.

    What does common sense media mean when they say the cuckoos nest is no place for kids.This movie should be viewed by everybody that loves film, including kids.This is one of the greatest films of all time.I laughed, I felt sympathy for the characters, I even drank a little[don't send this review to my mom].I love this film.Common sense media needs to start grading these movies better.And by the way, if your getting sick of my reviews about lashing out at this site, I have news for you, I'm just getting started.

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    A Must See Movie for tweens and up

    one flew over the cuckoo's nest is an amazing film. The only thing remotely explicit is the langguage. the patients swear at each other (f-word, s-word). one scene early in the movie there is a reference to a statutory rape which is borderline explicit, but ends somewhat quickly. this is an amazing movie but know your kids before letting them watch it.

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