Cars
Movie, 2006, Cars, Set in Radiator Springs
Cars is #7 of 31 in release order and #27 of 31 in chronological order in the Pixar.
The story
Lightning McQueen, a hotshot rookie race car driven to succeed, discovers that life is about the journey, not the finish line, when he finds himself unexpectedly detoured in the sleepy Route 66 town of Radiator Springs. On route across the country to the big Piston Cup Championship in California to compete against two seasoned pros, McQueen gets to know the town's offbeat characters.
Cars recap
Lightning McQueen, a cocky rookie race car, ties for the Piston Cup with the veteran The King and the dirty racer Chick Hicks, forcing a tiebreaker race in California. On the way, he falls out of his transporter, Mack, and gets lost on Route 66, tearing up the main road of Radiator Springs, a forgotten town. The town's judge and doctor, Doc Hudson, sentences him to repave it. McQueen makes friends with the tow truck Mater and falls for Sally, a Porsche who left the fast lane for the town. He discovers that Doc is the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, a three-time Piston Cup champion whose career ended in a crash. He learns to slow down and helps bring the town back to life.
Cars ending explained
In the tiebreaker, with Doc and the Radiator Springs cars as his pit crew, McQueen leads until Chick sends The King into a violent crash. McQueen stops just short of the finish line, goes back and pushes The King over the line so he can finish his last race. Chick wins the cup to boos, and McQueen wins respect. He turns down the Dinoco sponsorship and makes Radiator Springs his racing headquarters.
Post-credits scenes
During the credits, an epilogue shows Radiator Springs thriving, and the cars watch car versions of Toy Story, Monsters, Inc. and A Bug's Life at the drive-in. The tourists Van and Minny are still lost in the desert. Nothing sets up a sequel.
Where to watch Cars
Cars is streaming on Disney+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.3/10, Rotten Tomatoes 75%
Where it fits
- Release order: after The Incredibles, before Ratatouille.
- Chronological order: after Incredibles 2, before Cars 2.
What to watch before Cars
Nothing. Cars (2006) doesn't continue an earlier version, so it stands on its own.
Cast
- Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen (voice)
- Paul Newman as Doc Hudson (voice)
- Bonnie Hunt as Sally Carrera (voice)
- Larry the Cable Guy as Mater (voice)
- Cheech Marin as Ramone (voice)
- Tony Shalhoub as Luigi (voice)
- Guido Quaroni as Guido (voice)
- Jenifer Lewis as Flo (voice)
- Paul Dooley as Sarge (voice)
- Michael Wallis as Sheriff (voice)
- George Carlin as Fillmore (voice)
- Katherine Helmond as Lizzie (voice)
Directed by John Lasseter.