One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
A petty criminal fakes insanity, sparking a gritty, suspenseful battle against a domineering nurse.
Chief Bromden, a gigantic Euro-Indigenous American patient at a psychiatric hospital, who presents himself as deaf, mute, and docile. Bromden's tale focuses mainly on the antics of tale focuses mainly on the antics of the rebellious Randle Patrick McMurphy, a petty criminal who, 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.
How intense is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is mildly scary, with no gore and strong violence. Emotionally it is devastating. The pace is brisk, and it is a full-attention watch. Rated R.
What One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest feels like
- Tone
- bleakgrittysuspensefulearnest
- Pace
- Brisk
- Best for
- Full attention
Where to stream One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Not on a US subscription service at our last check. Rent or buy may still be an option.
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 13, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest for you?
Is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest scary?
Only a little. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest has a few tense moments (scare level 1 of 3), nothing that follows you to bed.
Is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest gory or violent?
No gore (0 of 3) and strong violence (2 of 3).
Is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest sad or heavy?
Yes. Emotional weight 3 of 3. It hits hard; do not plan anything light after.
Is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest OK for kids?
It is rated R, so it is made for adults. Intensity: scare 1, gore 0, violence 2, each out of 3.
How long is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest runs 2h 15m.
Where can I stream One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is not on a US subscription service right now (rent or buy may still be an option).
Does One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
No. Brace yourself.
Cast and crew
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