What was the U.S. release date of Pixar’s film Cars?

Pixar’s Cars was released in the United States on June 9, 2006.

The film was Pixar’s seventh feature film and followed The Incredibles, which had opened in 2004. John Lasseter directed Cars, with Joe Ranft and Jorgen Klubien credited as co-writers. The story introduced Lightning McQueen, Mater, Sally Carrera, Doc Hudson, and the residents of Radiator Springs.

Cars arrived in theaters during the summer movie season and became a major commercial success. Its release was also notable because it was the final Pixar feature distributed under the original Disney–Pixar agreement before Disney completed its acquisition of Pixar in January 2006.

The date is sometimes confused with the film’s international release dates, which varied by territory. Cars later received theatrical re-releases and became the starting point for a franchise that included Cars 2, Cars 3, short films, merchandise, and theme-park attractions.