Cars (2006)
82%RT Audience Score: 79%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 2 Oscars
28 wins & 34 nominations total
Cars offers visual treats that more than compensate for its somewhat thinly written story, adding up to a satisfying diversion for younger viewers
Cars is like the little engine that could, except it’s a movie and not a train. Despite some critics calling it a rip-off or a dud, this Pixar film manages to win over audiences of all ages with its charming characters, heartwarming story, and stunning animation. Sure, it may not be as sophisticated as some of Pixar’s other works, but who needs sophistication when you have talking cars racing around a track? Plus, any movie that features the late, great Paul Newman is a winner in our book. So buckle up and enjoy the ride, because Cars is a journey worth taking.
Production Company(ies)
Channel 4 News Channel 4 Frontline
Distributor
Walt Disney Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical, Theatrical (Wide)
Filming Location(s)
Pixar Animation Studios – 1200 Park Avenue, Emeryville, California, USA
MPAA / Certificate
G
Year of Release
2006
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 57m
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Language(s):English, Italian, Japanese, Yiddish
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 9, 2006 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 7, 2006
Genre(s)
Comedy/Adventure
Keyword(s)
starring Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy, Katherine Helmond, Cheech Marin, Michael Keaton, Richard Petty, directed by John Lasseter, written by John Lasseter, Dan Fogelman, Daniel Gerson, comedy, adventure, G rating, box office success, Pixar, Walt Disney Pictures, Darla K Anderson produced, reviewed by Steven D Greydanus, Christy Lemire, Peter Bradshaw, Olly Richards, Paul Arendt, Dan Fienberg, Mike Massie, Alberto Abuín, Micheal Compton, Matt Brunson, Rachel Wagner, audience score of 79%, Piston Cup Championship, Radiator Springs, Route 66, friendship, racing, animation, family-friendly, memorable characters, heartwarming, visually stunning, beloved, classic, iconic, fun, charming, entertaining, inspiring, uplifting, feel-good, adventure-filled, heartwarming, lovable, endearing, heartwarming, emotional, nostalgic, timeless
Worldwide gross: $461,991,867
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $681,279,574
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 180
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 74,294,392
US/Canada gross: $244,082,982
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $359,938,695
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 146
US/Canada opening weekend: $60,119,509
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $88,655,659
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 93
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $120,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $176,958,849
Production budget ranking: 163
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $95,292,340
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $409,028,385
ROI to date (est.): 150%
ROI ranking: 768
Paul Newman – Doc Hudson (Voice)
Bonnie Hunt – Sally (Voice)
Larry the Cable Guy – Mater (Voice)
Katherine Helmond – Lizzie (Voice)
Cheech Marin – Ramone (Voice)
Director(s)
John Lasseter
Writer(s)
John Lasseter, Dan Fogelman, Daniel Gerson
Producer(s)
Darla K. Anderson
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 2 Oscars
28 wins & 34 nominations total
Academy Awards
Oscar Nominees
All Critics (202) | Top Critics (55) | Fresh (150) | Rotten (52)
Cars is Pixar’s most improbable success to date, a film that could easily have misfired, but somehow does not.
October 29, 2008 | Rating: B+
Steven D. Greydanus
Decent Films
TOP CRITIC
Rips off Doc Hollywood, almost note for note.
December 14, 2006 | Rating: C+
Christy Lemire
Denver Rocky Mountain News
TOP CRITIC
Smooth, but bland and forgettable.
July 29, 2006 | Rating: 2/5
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
Judged against previous form, this is not Pixar firing on all cylinders, lacking the sophisticated comedy we’ve come to expect. Judged against fare from other studios, however, it’s a triumph.
July 28, 2006 | Rating: 3/5
Olly Richards
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
It had to end sometime. After a run of standard-setting CGI movies, Pixar has finally delivered a dud.
July 18, 2006 | Rating: 2/5
Paul Arendt
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
I’m wondering if the Piston Cup conceit of huge crowds of cars watching fellow cars race around a track crashing is perverse in a “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” sort of way.
June 12, 2006 | Rating: 2.5/4
Dan Fienberg
Zap2it.com
TOP CRITIC
The film’s two-hour length is unbearable for an animated feature.
November 15, 2020 | Rating: 3/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
An absolute wonder that… gives us almost two hours of great cinema. [Full Review in Spanish]
February 12, 2020
Alberto Abuín
Espinof
Children will love the Toy Story-like simplicity, but adults will appreciate the humor aimed right in their direction.
November 19, 2019 | Rating: B
Micheal Compton
Bowling Green Daily News
The movie’s Route 66 mythology, coupled with the presence of Paul Newman in what would turn out to be his final theatrical feature, lends it a nostalgic, bittersweet tinge.
June 20, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
Its simple elegy for a once-buzzing small town bypassed by an interstate and forgotten by time is a poignant tribute to small towns everywhere.
June 5, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/4
Mattie Lucas
The Dispatch (Lexington, NC)
Overall [I] enjoyed it.
February 21, 2019 | Rating: C+
Rachel Wagner
Rachel’s Reviews (YouTube)…
Plot
While traveling to California for the dispute of the final race of the Piston Cup against The King and Chick Hicks, the famous Lightning McQueen accidentally damages the road of the small town Radiator Springs and is sentenced to repair it. Lightning McQueen has to work hard and finds friendship and love in the simple locals, changing its values during his stay in the small town and becoming a true winner.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Larry the Cable Guy voices the character of Mater in Cars.
John-Lasseter.jpg
