**Subject to the silliest of internet theories** There are a lot of movie theories but the silliest of all is this nonsense that is all over the internet claiming that _the Chief killed the unresponsive McMurphy because he thought McMurphy was ignoring him._ These idiots claim the Chief did not notice the scars…
8.4/10Drama
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
“In this clean, orderly, disciplined world, who needs guys like McMurphy? Everybody.”
- 1975
- 2h 15m
- R
- EN
- Released
The story
What One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is about
A petty criminal fakes insanity to serve his sentence in a mental ward rather than prison. He soon finds himself as a leader to the other patients—and an enemy to the cruel, domineering nurse who runs the ward.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a drama film from 1975, directed by Miloš Forman. It runs 2h 15m and is rated R in the US. It was produced by Fantasy Films, with production in United States of America.
The main cast is led by Jack Nicholson, Brad Dourif, Louise Fletcher, Danny DeVito. The screenplay was written by Bo Goldman, Lawrence Hauben. Reported worldwide gross stands at $109.0M.
Why it matters: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest currently holds 8.4/10 from 11938 TMDB user ratings and has taken $109.0M worldwide against a $3.0M budget. Figures move as more ratings and box-office updates arrive.
Editor’s note
Should you watch One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is best suited to a slower, character-led evening. At 2h 15m, it is a standard feature length. The draw is Jack Nicholson and Brad Dourif, directed by Miloš Forman.
With 11,938 TMDB ratings averaging 8.4/10, this is one of the most widely seen titles in our library, so the score is a reliable signal.
TMDB tags the film with themes including mentally disabled, friendship, based on novel or book and nurse.
The US certification is R: restricted: it contains material intended for adults, including strong language or violence.
Auto-generated from TMDB data (runtime, cast, ratings, keywords, certification). Last updated November 4, 2026.
Availability
Where to watch One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
27 official sources across 5 regions. Every button opens this exact title on the provider’s own site, where price, video quality and audio options are confirmed before you pay.
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United States8 options
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Canada8 options
Rent
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India3 options
Checked 4 November 2026. Listings from TMDB / JustWatch data and they change daily; the provider page always shows the final price. Compare every option on JustWatch. MovieState links only to licensed services.
Who is in it
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest cast
Jack NicholsonRandle Patrick McMurphy
Brad DourifBilly Bibbit
Louise FletcherNurse Mildred Ratched
Danny DeVitoMartini
William RedfieldDale Harding
Scatman CrothersOrderly Turkle
Christopher LloydMax Taber
Will SampsonChief Bromden
Dean R. BrooksDr. John Spivey
Michael BerrymanEllis
Sydney LassickCharlie Cheswick
William DuellJim SefeltCharacter names follow the film's credits. Open a name to see that person's other work on MovieState.
Behind the camera
Direction and crew
DirectorMiloš Forman
WritersBo Goldman, Lawrence Hauben
ProducersMichael Douglas, Saul Zaentz
MusicJack Nitzsche
CinematographyHaskell Wexler
EditingSheldon Kahn
Audience reaction
Ratings and reviews
8.4/1011938 ratings
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest sits at 8.4 out of 10 from 11938 user ratings. For context, the film's worldwide gross is $109.0M.
Scores show TMDB user ratings at the time of publishing and shift as new votes arrive.
***The spirit of freedom vs. the spirit of legal-ism*** Set in the early 60s, the story involves R.P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) and his arrival at a mental institution in Salem, Oregon (where the film was shot). He plays the "mental illness" card to get out of prison time, thinking it'll be a piece of cake, but he's…
The facts
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest key details
| Original title | One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest |
|---|---|
| Status | Released |
| Release date | November 19, 1975 |
| Runtime | 2h 15m |
| Certification | R in United States, 18 in United Kingdom |
| Original language | EN |
| Spoken languages | English |
| Country | United States of America |
| Budget | $3.0M |
| Worldwide gross | $109.0M |
| Studios | Fantasy Films |
| Also known as | Vlucht boven een koekoeksnest, 뻐꾸기 둥지 위로 날아간 새, دیوانه ای از قفس پرید |
Release information
Release dates by country
| Country | Date | Cert |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Nov 19, 1975 | R |
| United Kingdom | Feb 26, 1976 | 18 |
| Canada | Dec 19, 1975 | 18A |
| Australia | Apr 1, 1976 | M |
| Austria | Mar 4, 1976 | 12 |
| Brazil | May 28, 1976 | 14 |
| China | Apr 16, 2026 | NR |
| Denmark | Nov 19, 1975 | 15 |
| Finland | Nov 19, 1975 | K-16 |
| France | Mar 1, 1976 | TP |
Official trailer for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, via Curzon. Open on YouTube
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Who directed One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was directed by Miloš Forman.
Who is in the cast of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?
The main cast includes Jack Nicholson, Brad Dourif, Louise Fletcher, Danny DeVito, William Redfield.
How long is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest runs 2h 15m.
When was One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest released?
It was released in the United States on November 19, 1975. Release dates vary by country — see the table above.
What is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest rated?
Certification depends on the country: R in United States, 18 in United Kingdom. Always check your local rating before watching with family.
Where can I watch One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest online?
Availability changes by region and by week. The table above lists the streaming, rental and purchase services reported for major markets. Check the provider page for today's price and quality.
Can I watch One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in HD or 4K?
Most digital stores offer One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in HD, and newer releases are often available in 4K. Check the quality label on the provider's page before you pay.
How much did One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest earn?
Reported worldwide gross is $109.0M against a budget of $3.0M. Box office figures update over time.
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Data sources: TMDB (titles, cast, crew, release dates, provider listings and user ratings). Availability and box office figures change over time; this page was last rebuilt on November 4, 2026. We publish information only; we do not host or stream video files.
Exact record pages: IMDb record · TMDB record
At a glance: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest runs 2h 15m, opened in US cinemas on November 19, 1975, has 27 licensed options across 5 regions tracked here.