Lightning McQueen is back on the big screen, and apparently the world has been waiting for him. The 20th anniversary theatrical re release of Pixar’s Cars opened on September 4, 2026, and the early box office numbers are turning heads in a big way.
The film pulled in $2.2 million on its opening Friday alone, and analysts are projecting a $6 to $8 million opening weekend. That may not sound massive by blockbuster standards, but for a re release of a film that originally came out two decades ago, it is extraordinarily impressive. In fact, Cars is tracking to become the biggest animated re release debut for any Disney distributed film since the pandemic. That is a remarkable statement about just how beloved this movie remains.
Why Cars Still Hits So Hard
When Cars debuted in 2006, it earned $462 million worldwide and launched one of Pixar’s most enduring franchises. The film currently holds a 76% critics score and 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, which tells you everything you need to know about how it has aged. The story of a hotshot racecar who learns that slowing down can be the greatest thing of all still resonates deeply, especially for parents who first saw it as kids and are now bringing their own children to see it for the first time on the big screen.
Disney Went All Out for This Anniversary
This re release has not just been a simple “put it back in theaters” situation. Disney orchestrated an impressive lineup of events and promotions around the anniversary. Route 66 centennial screenings took place at historic drive-ins across the country. A life size Lightning McQueen made an appearance at Formula 1 in Monza, Italy. Automotive museum exhibits celebrating the film were set up across the United States, England, and Italy. New merchandise dropped through the Disney Store, and a limited edition Lightning McQueen popcorn bucket arrived at Disney parks. Chevrolet even got in on the fun, displaying custom vehicles at D23 including a Bolt wrapped to look like Flo and a Colorado inspired by Ramone.
The Disney Parks Connection
For Disney fans, the Cars story goes far beyond the movies. Cars Land at Disney California Adventure remains one of the most immersive and beloved themed areas in any Disney park, recreating iconic Radiator Springs locations like Flo’s V8 Cafe, Luigi’s Casa della Tires, and the Cozy Cone Motel. At its heart is Radiator Springs Racers, which more than a decade after opening continues to be one of Disney’s most popular attractions period.
And there is even more Cars magic on the horizon for park fans. Magic Kingdom is set to welcome Piston Peak National Park, a brand new frontier inspired area featuring Cars themed attractions. If the box office momentum from this re release is any indication, the appetite for all things Cars is very much alive.
What Is Coming Next for the Franchise
The 20th anniversary celebrations are not stopping at the theater. A brand new preschool series called Cars: Lightning Racers is set to debut on Disney Junior in 2027, with Owen Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy both returning to voice their beloved characters. For families with young children just discovering Lightning McQueen and Mater for the first time, the timing could not be more perfect.
Absolutely yes. Seeing Cars on the big screen is a genuinely special experience, and for anyone who has never seen it in a theater, this is a rare opportunity. The racing sequences, the sweeping landscapes of Radiator Springs, and that gorgeous John Lasseter direction all pop in a way that your living room TV simply cannot replicate. And if you are a parent who grew up loving this film, bringing your kids to see it for the first time in a theater together? That is a memory worth making.
Ka chow, indeed.
You May Also Enjoy: Two Piston Peak Attractions Coming to Magic Kingdom Revealed at D23
Mouse Fan Travel® an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, has been planning and creating magical Disney vacations since 2005. Their mission is to provide premium service and expert advice to help you get the most for your vacation time and dollar. Their Disney Travel Agents operate with the highest degree of integrity and will handle your family vacation, reunion, honeymoon, corporate incentive trip or getaway, as if it were their own. They pride themselves on expertly representing and advocating for you – their client.
The next time you and your family are planning a Disney vacation, visit Mouse Fan Travel for your no obligation quote or to answer any Disney vacation questions you may have. Are you looking for a beach vacation, tour or cruise to destinations across the globe? Visit MEI-Travel for exceptional expertise with ZERO agency fees.