Cars 3
Movie, 2017, The films and shorts, Set in Lightning's last season
Cars 3 is #8 of 10 in release order and #6 of 10 in chronological order in the Cars.
The story
Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen finds himself pushed to the brink—and suddenly, the champion who once ruled the track is fighting just to stay in the race. With his career hanging in the balance, McQueen must turn to an ambitious young race technician with a plan of her own, draw strength from the legacy of the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet, and risk everything on one last shot at glory.
Cars 3 recap
Lightning McQueen is being overtaken by a new generation of high-tech racers led by Jackson Storm, and pushing himself too hard, he crashes badly. Months later, he returns to train at the Rust-eze Racing Center, now owned by the businessman Sterling, under the young trainer Cruz Ramirez, who once dreamed of racing herself. McQueen wrecks a simulator, and Sterling wants to retire him and sell his brand, so McQueen makes a deal: if he wins the Florida 500, he decides when he retires. He and Cruz train on beaches and at a demolition derby, where Cruz wins, and McQueen snaps at her. In Thomasville, they find Doc Hudson's old mentor Smokey, who teaches McQueen how Doc found new joy in training him.
Cars 3 ending explained
In the Florida 500, McQueen pulls over and lets Cruz finish the race in his place, using Doc's old trick to flip over Storm and win, with both credited. Cruz joins Tex Dinoco's team, and McQueen becomes her crew chief, painted in Doc's Fabulous Hudson Hornet colors, still racing for fun. Back in Radiator Springs, McQueen and Cruz race each other on the dirt track, the way Doc once raced him.
Post-credits scenes
Yes. After the credits, Mater sings in his shack until a ringing phone startles him, part of the roof falls, and he says "Technology." It is a gag, not a setup.
Where to watch Cars 3
Cars 3 is streaming on Disney+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 6.7/10, Rotten Tomatoes 70%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Planes: Fire & Rescue, before Miss Fritter's Racing Skoool.
- Chronological order: after Tales from Radiator Springs, before Miss Fritter's Racing Skoool.
What to watch before Cars 3
In release order, the essentials before Cars 3 (2017) are Cars (2006) and Cars 2 (2011).
Cast
- Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen (voice)
- Cristela Alonzo as Cruz Ramirez (voice)
- Chris Cooper as Smokey (voice)
- Nathan Fillion as Sterling (voice)
- Larry the Cable Guy as Mater (voice)
- Armie Hammer as Jackson Storm (voice)
- Ray Magliozzi as Dusty (voice)
- Tony Shalhoub as Luigi (voice)
- Bonnie Hunt as Sally Carrera (voice)
- Lea DeLaria as Miss Fritter (voice)
- Kerry Washington as Natalie Certain (voice)
- Bob Costas as Bob Cutlass (voice)
Directed by Brian Fee.