Disney and Pixar’s Cars is returning to the big screen this fall as part of its ongoing 20th anniversary celebration. Tickets are now on sale for a limited theatrical re-release that begins September 4, 2026, allowing audiences to experience the 2006 animated comedy in its original format once again.
The re-release is timed to coincide with Lightning McQueen Day, observed annually on September 5 in honor of the character’s racing number, 95. The anniversary year has already featured a wide range of collaborations and activations across motorsports, museums, and consumer experiences.
Among the highlights is a Route 66 centennial integration that includes special screenings at the historic Tee-Pee Drive-In and Tulsa Circle Cinema. A life-size Lightning McQueen and a Cars-wrapped Mercedes Safety Car will appear at the Formula 1 Gran Premio d’Italia 2026 at Monza in September, where fans can also shop an all-new Cars Collection for Formula 1. Life-size sculpts and exhibits have been installed at the Beaulieu National Motor Museum in England, the National Automobile Museum in Italy, and both the Petersen Automotive Museum and National Automobile Museum in the United States.
Additional activations have included a high-profile presence at the Daytona 500 in February, an appearance at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed in July, and a Porsche "Sally Special" vehicle that has toured U.S. cities including Atlanta, Costa Mesa, Monterey, Los Angeles, and New York. A branded Lightning McQueen simulator experience has appeared at various events, including collaborations with Make-A-Wish, while further promotions continue at the Mundo Pixar Experience.
Key brand partnerships extend to General Motors, which has offered exclusive limited-edition artwork and a presence at the D23 Ultimate Disney Fan Event, as well as integrations across interactive media such as Disney Speedstorm, Emoji Blitz, LEGO DUPLO, and Disney Magic Kingdoms.
Cars, directed by John Lasseter and produced by Darla K. Anderson with music by Randy Newman, follows hotshot rookie race car Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) as he becomes stranded in the Route 66 town of Radiator Springs. There he encounters an eccentric group of characters including Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), Mater (Larry the Cable Guy), and Sally (Bonnie Hunt), and learns that life is about the journey rather than the finish line.
The theatrical return offers both longtime fans and new audiences a chance to revisit the film on the big screen during its milestone year. Tickets are available now through Fandango and participating theaters for the September 4 opening. Will you be watching it?