Disney And Pixar’s Cars Starts Its Engines As It Races Back To The Big Screen For Its 20th Anniversary
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Carl Roberts 
From Disney and Pixar, Cars is racing back to the big screen in September as the 20th anniversary celebration continues.
Start your engines all over again! Tickets to see Disney and Pixar’s original animated feature “Cars” in cinemas go on sale today as the film’s 20th anniversary celebration continues. Fans can experience the high-octane comedy adventure on the big screen in its original format beginning September 5, 2026.
The special theatrical re-release celebrating “Cars” milestone anniversary coincides with “Cars” Lightning McQueen Day, observed annually on 9/5 in honor of Lightning McQueen’s racecar number, #95.
THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY COLLABORATIONS AND ACTIVATIONS
The 20th anniversary of “Cars” is being commemorated throughout the year with a number of themed collaborations and activations, including:
A “Cars” integration celebrating Route 66’s centennial anniversary, including special screenings at the historic Tee-Pee Drive-In and Tulsa Circle Cinema
A life-size Lightning McQueen heading to the FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO D’ITALIA 2026 at Monza in September, where fans can shop the all-new “Cars” Collection with Formula 1
Life-size “Cars” sculpts and exhibits at the Beaulieu National Motor Museum in England, the National Automobile Museum in Italy, and the Petersen Automotive Museum and National Automobile Museum in the US
A Porsche “Sally Special” vehicle touring across the US with stops already in Atlanta, Costa Mesa, Monterey, Los Angeles, and New York
A high-profile activation with NASCAR at the Daytona 500 in February
An activation with Goodwood’s motorsport and automotive Festival of Speed UK event in July
A branded simulator experience featuring Lightning McQueen at various events, including in collaboration with Make-A-Wish
Special “Cars”-themed promotions at the Mundo Pixar Experience
Key collaborations with General Motors including exclusive, limited-edition artwork and a presence at the D23: Ultimate Disney Fan Event
Integrations across games and interactive media, including Disney Speedstorm, Emoji Blitz, LEGO DUPLO and Magic Kingdoms
THE PREMISE
“Cars” introduces Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson), a hotshot rookie race car driven to succeed, who discovers that life is about the journey, not the finish line, when he finds himself unexpectedly detoured in the sleepy Route 66 town of Radiator Springs and meets the town’s offbeat characters including Doc Hudson (voiced by Paul Newman), Mater (voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) and Sally (voiced by Bonnie Hunt). “Cars” is directed by John Lasseter, produced by Darla K. Anderson, and features original music by Randy Newman – all three are Academy Award winners.
Cars speeds back into cinemas on September 5th. Start your engines and book your tickets today!
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
