Lightning McQueen, Mater and the residents of Radiator Springs return to the big screen as Pixar continues celebrating two decades of its beloved animated franchise.
Disney and Pixar are firing up the engines once again as Cars races back into theaters for a special 20th anniversary theatrical re-release.
The 2006 Pixar animated film returns to the big screen beginning September 4, giving longtime fans and a new generation the chance to experience Lightning McQueen’s first trip to Radiator Springs in its original theatrical format. Tickets for the anniversary screenings are now on sale.
The theatrical return arrives as Disney and Pixar continue a yearlong celebration of Cars, which first hit theaters in 2006 and went on to launch one of Pixar’s biggest franchises.
Cars Returns To Theaters For Its 20th Anniversary
The theatrical re-release is timed around Lightning McQueen Day, which is celebrated annually on September 5. The date, written as 9/5, pays tribute to Lightning McQueen’s iconic racing number, 95.
The anniversary festivities extend well beyond movie theaters. Disney and Pixar have partnered with automotive organizations, museums, motorsports events and other brands around the world to celebrate the franchise.
The celebrations include special Cars screenings tied to Route 66’s centennial at the historic Tee-Pee Drive-In and Tulsa Circle Cinema.
Lightning McQueen is also heading to the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where a life-size version of the character and a Cars-wrapped Mercedes Safety Car will appear alongside the new Cars Collection for Formula 1.
Life-size Cars sculptures and exhibits are also appearing at automotive museums around the world, including the Beaulieu National Motor Museum in England, the National Automobile Museum in Italy, the Petersen Automotive Museum and the National Automobile Museum in the United States.
Lightning McQueen Hits The Road For More Celebrations
A Porsche “Sally Special,” inspired by Sally Carrera, has been touring the United States, with stops in Atlanta, Costa Mesa, Monterey, Los Angeles, and New York.
The anniversary celebration has also crossed over into some of motorsports’ biggest events. Cars had a presence at the Daytona 500 earlier this year and at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed in the U.K.
Fans can also encounter a branded Lightning McQueen simulator experience at select events, including collaborations with Make-A-Wish.
Other anniversary promotions include Cars-themed experiences at Mundo Pixar, collaborations with General Motors, limited-edition artwork and a presence at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.
The franchise is also expanding its anniversary celebration across games and interactive entertainment, including Disney Speedstorm, Disney Emoji Blitz, LEGO DUPLO and Disney Magic Kingdoms.
Cars Introduced Audiences To Radiator Springs
Directed by John Lasseter, Cars follows Lightning McQueen, voiced by Owen Wilson, as the ambitious rookie race car heads toward what could be the biggest moment of his young career.
His plans change when he unexpectedly finds himself stranded in the small Route 66 town of Radiator Springs. What initially seems like an unwanted detour ultimately forces McQueen to reconsider what really matters beyond winning races and collecting trophies.
Along the way, he meets a memorable group of residents that includes Doc Hudson, voiced by Paul Newman; Mater, voiced by Larry the Cable Guy; and Sally Carrera, voiced by Bonnie Hunt.
Darla K. Anderson produced the film, and Randy Newman wrote the original music.
Cars became a major hit for Pixar and expanded into a multimedia franchise that includes two theatrical sequels, the Cars on the Road Disney+ series, the Planes spinoff films, theme park attractions, video games, and merchandise.
Two decades after Lightning McQueen first discovered that life is about the journey rather than the finish line, audiences will once again be able to take that journey through Radiator Springs on the big screen.
Cars returns to theaters September 4. Tickets are on sale now.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
