Pixar’s ‘Cars’ is racing back to cinemas for its 20th anniversary

Lightning McQueen’s return will coincide with special events, museum exhibits and racing partnerships worldwide

Pixar is bringing Cars back to cinemas to mark the animated film’s 20th anniversary, giving fans another chance to see Lightning McQueen on the big screen.

The theatrical return will begin September 4, 2026, with the anniversary celebrations extending beyond cinema screenings throughout the year. The timing also coincides with Lightning McQueen Day on September 5, a date chosen to honour the character’s famous racing number, 95.

Released in 2006, Cars became one of Pixar’s most recognisable films and introduced audiences to the fictional racing town of Radiator Springs. The story follows Lightning McQueen, a talented but self absorbed rookie race car who finds himself stranded in the small town while travelling to a major race. His experiences there gradually change his understanding of competition, friendship and success.

Owen Wilson voices Lightning McQueen, while the film features Paul Newman as Doc Hudson, Larry the Cable Guy as Mater and Bonnie Hunt as Sally Carrera. John Lasseter directed the film, which was produced by Darla K Anderson and features an original score and songs by Randy Newman.

The anniversary campaign will connect the film with real world motorsport and automotive culture. Planned activities include special screenings at the Tee Pee Drive In and Tulsa Circle Cinema, along with appearances at major racing events.

One of the largest activations will take place during the Formula 1 Gran Premio D’Italia at Monza in September. A life size Lightning McQueen and a Mercedes safety car wrapped in a Cars design are expected to feature at the event. Fans will also have the opportunity to shop from the Cars Collection for Formula 1.

The celebrations are also scheduled to extend into NASCAR, with an activation planned around the Daytona 500 in February. Several automotive museums will participate as well, with life size Cars exhibits planned at the Beaulieu National Motor Museum in England, the National Automobile Museum in Italy, the Petersen Automotive Museum in the United States and another National Automobile Museum location in the US.

The original Cars was a major release for Pixar during the 2000s and later became the foundation for a wider franchise. Its characters have appeared in two direct film sequels, Cars 2 and Cars 3, as well as television projects, merchandise and theme park attractions.

The first film also received significant awards recognition. It won Best Animated Film at the Golden Globes in 2007 and received Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song.

With the 20th anniversary bringing Cars back to cinemas, Pixar is combining the film’s return with a broad celebration centred on animation, automobiles and motorsport. The September screenings will offer audiences an opportunity to revisit the original adventure while the wider anniversary programme keeps Lightning McQueen and Radiator Springs in the spotlight throughout the year.