Cars introduced Lightning McQueen before the later Cars sequels.
Released in 2006, Cars is the first feature in Pixar’s franchise about an automobile world. It introduces McQueen as an ambitious rookie racer who becomes stranded in Radiator Springs while traveling to the Piston Cup’s decisive race.
The original film establishes the franchise’s major characters and locations, including Mater, Sally Carrera, Doc Hudson, Flo, Luigi, and the small Route 66 town. Its story centers on McQueen’s change from a self-focused competitor into a more considerate friend and teammate.
Cars 2 followed in 2011 and expanded the series into international espionage, while Cars 3 arrived in 2017 and returned to McQueen’s racing career. The film Planes is connected to the broader world but is a DisneyToon Studios spin-off rather than a Pixar Cars sequel.