Pixar’s Cars was first released in cinemas in 2006.
The film premiered at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, on May 26, 2006, before its wider theatrical release in June. It was Pixar’s seventh feature film and followed The Incredibles (2004).
Cars was directed by John Lasseter, Joe Ranft, and Dan Scanlon, with Lasseter serving as the principal director. Its story follows Lightning McQueen, a rookie race car who becomes stranded in Radiator Springs while traveling to the final race of the Piston Cup season.
A common mix-up is confusing the film’s release year with the year of its first sequel. Cars 2 arrived in 2011, while Cars 3 followed in 2017. The original film also inspired short films, merchandise, video games, and the Cars Land area at Disney California Adventure.