United Artists is an American film studio founded in 1919 by famous actors Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and director D.W. Griffith. The studio was created to give filmmakers more creative control and independence from major studios. It became known for producing and distributing a variety of influential films. Over the years, United Artists has been involved in many iconic movies, including One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Rocky. The studio has undergone several ownership changes and mergers but continues to be a significant player in the film industry, focusing on both independent and mainstream projects.