Cars 2 was the first Pixar feature not nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
The film was released in 2011 and became Pixar's first feature to miss the category after the studio had received nominations for each eligible earlier feature. Cars 2 instead received a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the Golden Globes, where Pixar films had also built a strong record.
Cars 2's reception differed from the original Cars because its international spy-thriller structure gave Mater a larger role and moved much of the action away from Radiator Springs. The film remains part of Pixar's official feature filmography despite the Academy omission.
The result is sometimes confused with a lack of awards recognition overall. Cars 2 was also nominated for other industry honors, and later Pixar releases likewise missed the Oscar category.