Movies like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

A gripping thriller set in a mental institution, Shutter Island's tale of two U.S. Marshals investigating the disappearance of a patient echoes the feeling of claustrophobia and intense psychological drama found in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

The biographical story of John Nash, a brilliant mathematician who battles schizophrenia, A Beautiful Mind dives into the complexities of the mind and how it impacts reality. The themes of mental health and the struggle between delusion and reality are also integral to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

This drama, based on Susanna Kaysen's memoir of the same name, takes us into the world of a young woman's 18-month stay at a mental institution. Just like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Girl, Interrupted offers a compelling look at the lives of its varied cast of patients, questioning the nature of sanity and the healthcare system.

Rain Man's exploration of an autistic savant and his brother's growing understanding and acceptance of him echoes One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest's themes about the treatment of those who are mentally distinct and the depth of human connections that can be formed irrespective of mental barriers.

In this poignant film, the true story of a doctor's extraordinary work in the 1960s with catatonic patients is brought to life. Like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Awakenings explores the themes of patient care and the human spirit's resilience, presenting a moving narrative that questions medical ethics and the nature of healing.

Terry Gilliam's The Fisher King portrays the journey of a radio DJ who seeks redemption by helping a homeless man, an ex-academic who suffers from a traumatic event. The movie, like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, delves into the intricacies of mental illness and redemption, blending humor and pathos.

Starring Robin Williams, Patch Adams is based on the true story of a man who believes humor is the best medicine and becomes a doctor while battling the stifling medical establishment. The movie's emphasis on human connection and questioning the status quo of healthcare systems resonates with themes found in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Combining comedy and a commentary on mental health, The Dream Team follows a group of psychiatric patients who are inadvertently left unsupervised in New York City. Similar to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the film provides a lighthearted view on the patients' interactions with the world, challenging societal perceptions of mental illness.