Cars 2 was the first Pixar Cars film released in stereoscopic 3D.
Released in 2011, Cars 2 expanded the series from the small-town racing world of the first film into an international spy adventure. Pixar produced the movie for conventional theatrical presentation as well as stereoscopic 3D, allowing audiences to see the World Grand Prix and action sequences with added depth.
The original Cars was released in standard 2D theatrical formats, while Cars 3 later followed Cars 2 with 3D presentations. The distinction concerns the theatrical release format, not the computer-generated production process: all three films were created using 3D computer animation.
Cars 2 was directed by John Lasseter and Brad Lewis. Its plot combines Lightning McQueen’s international racing campaign with Mater’s accidental involvement in an espionage operation led by Finn McMissile and Holley Shiftwell.