Who directed Pixar’s Cars, the 2006 animated film about Lightning McQueen?

John Lasseter directed Pixar’s Cars, the 2006 animated film about Lightning McQueen.

Lasseter was Pixar’s chief creative officer and had previously directed Toy Story and A Bug’s Life. Cars became his third feature-length directing project for Pixar. The film was inspired partly by his experiences on road trips and by the visual character of historic American Route 66.

Cars was co-directed by Joe Ranft, who also co-wrote the screenplay and voiced several characters, including Red and Peterbilt. Because Ranft was an important creative force, some viewers mistakenly identify him as the sole director. The credited director, however, is John Lasseter.

The film premiered in 2006 and introduced Radiator Springs, Lightning McQueen, Doc Hudson, Sally Carrera, Mater, and other residents of the Cars universe. Lasseter later returned as director for Cars 2, while Brian Fee directed Cars 3.