The books and movies listed here have themes in common with One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Some of them are even seemingly inspired by the novel. Check them out!

Related works

Literature

• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, 1937
  • Friendship between two migrant workers, Lennie and George
  • Lennie is “mentally slow;” George feels obligated to look after Lennie
  • Lennie makes some mistakes, George ultimately must “show mercy” on his friend

• Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, 1959
  • Mentally retard man (Charlie) undergoes operation to restore his intelligence
  • Mother’s upbringing causes Charlie to be repressed with women

• Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King, 1982 (film version, The Shawshank Redemption, was made in 1994)
  • Young man, Andy Dufresne, wrongly convicted of murder and must fight the power within the prison walls
  • Forms lasting friendship with the other men, most of whom have lost their dignity and just want to feel like regular men
  • Various characters show the effects of institutionalization

• The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1899)
  • A wife is confined to her attic by her doctor-husband.
  • She is not allowed to write and instead begins focusing on the wallpaper, experiencing many different feelings about it.
  • Driven mad by a controlling patriarchal society, she attempts to free women

• Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (1999)
  • High school freshman Melinda begins the school year feeling ostracized from her friends.
  • Her first year of high school is characterized by her desire to remain isolated and not communicate with anyone else.
  • Traumatic event brought about Melinda’s experience, but through art she is able to overcome her obstacles.

Films

• Girl, Interrupted (1999)
• Patch Adams (1998)
• Awakenings (1990)
• A Beautiful Mind (2001)
• Fight Club (1999)
   

(compiled by J. Initihar)