Pixar’s Cars film series has three theatrical feature films.
The films are Cars, released in 2006; Cars 2, released in 2011; and Cars 3, released in 2017. Together they follow Lightning McQueen across a career that moves from rookie competition to international adventure and finally to a new stage of mentorship and adaptation.
The number three refers specifically to theatrical feature films. The wider Cars franchise also includes short films, television specials, the Cars Toons series, merchandise, video games, and theme-park attractions. Those additional productions do not increase the count of theatrical features.
Cars 2 is the most stylistically different entry because it gives Mater and Finn McMissile a spy-focused international plot. Cars 3 returns to a more racing-centered story and introduces Jackson Storm and Cruz Ramirez. The three films share characters and continuity while emphasizing different genres and themes.