
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
By Carly Kocurek,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Classic and brilliant, but violence makes it teens only.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Community Reviews
Based on 28 parent reviews
What's the Story?
Three decades have done little to diminish the power of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST. Based on Ken Kesey's novel by the same name, the film addresses the trials of Randle Patrick McMurphy (Jack Nicholson), a petty criminal who decides to feign insanity to get out of time behind bars and into the easy life at the mental ward. Once inside the white-walled hospital, McMurphy finds himself pitted against Nurse Mildred Ratched (Louise Fletcher). While Nurse Ratched manipulates patients in group therapy and uses a regime of medication and electroshock to maintain control, McMurphy demands the right to watch baseball playoffs and takes the men outside the hospital grounds on a fishing trip. As the conflict escalates, the line between the crazy and the sane grows increasingly blurry.
Is It Any Good?
Milos Forman's 1975 film adaptation of the Ken Kesey novel is a classic for good reason, starting with Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher who turn in near-perfect performances. Supporting cast members, including Danny DeVito as Martini and Christopher Lloyd as Taber, create a band of institution residents who are warm despite evidence of their insanity. Forman's direction is dead-on, as he manages to capture the monotony of routine on the ward without allowing the film to drag.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about classics. Why do you think this film has lasting appeal? Does it seem dated to you in any way? How does it compare to the book?
What are the messages in this movie? Are there any role models? Who is crazy in the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 23, 1975
- On DVD or streaming: September 19, 2002
- Cast: Danny DeVito , Jack Nicholson , Louise Fletcher
- Director: Milos Forman
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Warner Home Video
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 128 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: Violence and Language
- Last updated: October 3, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Movies Based on Books
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate