One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest swept all five major Oscars—Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay—the second film ever to achieve that feat, outperforming even #7 Parasite in acting nominations. Jack Nicholson's electrifying performance drove the film to a 79% Rotten Tomatoes score and a $109 million domestic box office on a $4.4 million budget. Its unflinching portrayal of freedom against institutional authority remains unmatched among Best Picture winners, truly a towering statement on individuality.