Who directed the original Cars film?

John Lasseter directed the original Cars film.

Lasseter directed Cars alongside Joe Ranft, who received a co-director credit, and also helped shape the screenplay and story. The film was released in 2006 as Pixar’s seventh feature and follows Lightning McQueen’s unexpected stay in Radiator Springs after he becomes stranded while traveling to the Piston Cup finale.

The project grew from Lasseter’s long-standing interest in cars and animation. He and Pixar artists researched automotive design, road culture, and Route 66 to create a world in which vehicles act as people. A family road trip also helped inspire the film’s emphasis on slower travel, overlooked towns, friendship, and changing priorities. Randy Newman composed the score, while the cast included Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, and Larry the Cable Guy.

Viewers sometimes choose Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, or Brad Bird because all are prominent Pixar directors. They did direct other Pixar films, but Lasseter was the principal director of Cars and later directed its 2011 sequel, Cars 2.