Pixar's first Cars film premiered in 2006.
Cars was released in the United States on June 9, 2006. It was Pixar's seventh feature film and followed The Incredibles, which had been released in 2004. The film introduced Lightning McQueen, Mater, Sally Carrera, Doc Hudson, and the fictional community of Radiator Springs.
The story combines a road-trip structure with a racing narrative. Lightning's journey from a self-centered rookie to a more considerate competitor is shaped by the town's residents and by the legacy of Doc Hudson. The film's setting and characters later supported sequels, short films, merchandise, and theme-park attractions.
The year 2011 belongs to Cars 2, while 2017 belongs to Cars 3. Those dates can cause confusion when identifying the original. Cars 2 expands the series into international spy-adventure territory, and Cars 3 returns more directly to Lightning's racing career and changing competition.