Cars Toons is the Pixar short series featuring Mater and Lightning McQueen.
The series, also known as Mater's Tall Tales, follows Mater as he tells increasingly improbable stories about his past adventures. Lightning McQueen usually appears as his listener and companion, while the shorts place the pair in settings and situations far beyond the original feature film's racing plot.
Cars Toons began in 2008 as a series of animated shorts connected to the Cars franchise. Its episodes have been released through television, home video, and other Disney distribution channels. The format allows Pixar to explore quick comic premises without the longer structure required by a feature film.
Cars Toons is distinct from Pixar's Toy Story Toons and the later series Cars on the Road. The latter is a separate Disney+ series released in 2022, while Cars Toons specifically refers to the earlier Mater-centered short-form productions.