When was Pixar's Cars first released in U.S. cinemas?

Pixar's Cars was first released in U.S. cinemas on June 9, 2006.

The film was Pixar's seventh feature and followed the success of animated hits including Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Monsters, Inc., and The Incredibles. It was directed by John Lasseter and co-directed by Joe Ranft, with a story centered on rookie race car Lightning McQueen.

Cars opened during the summer movie season and became a major commercial success. Its setting, characters, and racing theme also supported a large line of toys and other merchandise. The movie later received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.

The date is sometimes confused with the release dates of the sequels. Cars 2 arrived in 2011, while Cars 3 was released in 2017. The original film's U.S. theatrical debut remains June 9, 2006.