Cars watch order

Every film, series, and special in the correct viewing order.

13 entries·~12 hrs total runtime·2006–2022

Cars Begins

1

Cars

Movie117 min · 2006

The first released entry and the introduction of Lightning McQueen, Mater and Radiator Springs.
2

Mater and the Ghostlight

Special7 min · 2006

A short film set after Cars and originally released with the film's home-media edition.

Cars Toons

3

Cars Toons: Mater's Tall Tales

TV Series11 shorts · 2008–2012

A series of exaggerated stories narrated by Mater, with Lightning McQueen usually becoming part of each account.
4

Cars Toons: Tales from Radiator Springs

TV Series4 shorts · 2013–2014

Short stories following residents of Radiator Springs.

Cars 2 and Planes

5

Cars 2

Movie106 min · 2011

Continues Lightning McQueen and Mater's story during the World Grand Prix.
6

Planes

Movie92 min · 2013

A film set in the wider world of Cars and focused on racing aircraft.
7

Planes: Fire & Rescue

Movie83 min · 2014

Continues Dusty Crophopper's story after Planes.
8

Vitaminamulch: Air Spectacular

Special6 min · 2014

A Planes short featuring Dusty Crophopper and Chug.

Cars 3

9

Cars 3

Movie102 min · 2017

Continues Lightning McQueen's racing career and introduces Cruz Ramirez.
10

Miss Fritter's Racing Skoool

Special3 min · 2017

A short film featuring Miss Fritter recounting experiences with her demolition-derby students.

Pixar Popcorn Shorts

11

Dancing with the Cars

Special2 min · 2021

A short Cars instalment released as part of Pixar Popcorn.
12

Unparalleled Parking

Special2 min · 2021

A Pixar Popcorn short featuring Cars characters in a parking challenge.

Cars on the Road

13

Cars on the Road

TV Series9 episodes · 2022

Follows Lightning McQueen and Mater on a cross-country journey to attend Mater's sister's wedding.

How many Cars movies and shows are there?

There are three main Cars films, two Planes spin-off films, nine Cars on the Road episodes and multiple Cars Toons and short films.

Do I need to watch Planes before Cars 3?

Planes and Fire & Rescue occur in the wider world of Cars but follow different characters and do not directly precede Cars 3.

What order should a first-timer watch Cars in?

A first-time viewer should use release order, beginning with Cars and placing the major shorts, series and Planes films at their real-world release positions.

Is Cars finished or still ongoing?

Cars remains an active screen franchise, with another television production announced for release after 2026.