View source for Cars 3

{{Short description|2017 Pixar film}}
{{Other uses}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox film
| image          = Cars 3 poster.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| alt            = Lightning McQueen, Cruz Ramirez and Jackson Storm race along a beach. "Cars 3" is written in the bottom right corner, between the release date "June 16" on the bottom.
| director       = [[Brian Fee]]
| producer       = Kevin Reher
| screenplay     = {{Plainlist|
* Kiel Murray
* [[Bob Peterson (filmmaker)|Bob Peterson]]
* [[Mike Rich]]<ref name="ProdNotes">{{#invoke:cite web||title=Cars 3 Production Notes|url=http://www.wdsmediafile.com/media/Cars3/writen-material/Cars3593a13b598f49.pdf|publisher=Walt Disney Pictures|access-date=10 June 2017|archive-date=March 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322113050/http://www.wdsmediafile.com/media/Cars3/writen-material/Cars3593a13b598f49.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
| story          = {{Plainlist|
* Brian Fee
* [[Ben Queen]]
* [[Eyal Podell]]
* Jonathan E. Stewart<ref name="ProdNotes" />
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Owen Wilson]]
* [[Cristela Alonzo]]
* [[Chris Cooper]]
* [[Armie Hammer]]
* [[Larry the Cable Guy]]
* [[Bonnie Hunt]]
* [[Nathan Fillion]]
* [[Lea DeLaria]]
* [[Kerry Washington]]
}}
| music          = [[Randy Newman]]<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last1=Cross|first1=Dominick|title=Newman on Putin, people, politics, music|url=http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/2016/02/26/newman-putin-people-politics-music/80954782/|access-date=26 November 2016|work=[[The Daily Advertiser (Lafayette)|The Advertiser]]|date=26 February 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302192812/http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/2016/02/26/newman-putin-people-politics-music/80954782/|archive-date=2 March 2016}}</ref>
| cinematography = {{Plainlist|
* Jeremy Lasky <small>(camera)</small>
* Kim White <small>(lighting)</small><ref name="ProdNotes" />
}}
| editing        = Jason Hudak
| production_companies = [[Pixar Animation Studios]]
| distributor    = [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures|Walt Disney Studios<br />Motion Pictures]]{{efn|name=Disney|Distributed by [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures]] through the [[Walt Disney Pictures]] banner.}}<!-- Text formatting is used in this link to ensure correct formatting at all screen resolutions. -->
| released       = {{Film date|2017|5|23|[[Kannapolis, North Carolina|Kannapolis]]|2017|6|16|United States}}<!--NOTE: Per Template:Infobox film instructions this parameter is only for initial premiere and nation of origin (US) release date-->
| runtime        = 102 minutes
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $175 million<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last1=Mendelson|first1=Scott|title=Pixar's 'Cars 3' Review: Lightning (McQueen) Strikes On The Third Lap|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/06/13/cars-3-review-lightning-mcqueen-strikes-on-the-third-lap/#3653e2981a1f|website=[[Forbes]]|access-date=June 17, 2017|archive-date=October 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011133759/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/06/13/cars-3-review-lightning-mcqueen-strikes-on-the-third-lap/#3653e2981a1f|url-status=live}}</ref>
| gross          = $383.9 million<ref name=BOM>{{cite Box Office Mojo|id=3606752|title=Cars 3|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref>
}}
'''''Cars 3''''' is a 2017 American animated [[sports film|sports]] [[Comedy film|comedy]]-[[adventure film]] produced by [[Pixar|Pixar Animation Studios]] for [[Walt Disney Pictures]]. The third film in the [[Cars (franchise)|''Cars'' franchise]], it is a direct sequel to ''[[Cars (film)|Cars]]'' (2006), ignoring the events of ''[[Cars 2]]'' (2011). It was directed by [[Brian Fee]] (in his directorial debut) and produced by Kevin Reher, from a screenplay written by Kiel Murray, [[Bob Peterson (filmmaker)|Bob Peterson]], and [[Mike Rich]], and a story by Fee, [[Ben Queen]], and the writing team of [[Eyal Podell]] and Jonathan E. Stewart. The returning voices of [[Owen Wilson]], [[Larry the Cable Guy]], [[Bonnie Hunt]], [[Tony Shalhoub]], [[Guido Quaroni]], [[Cheech Marin]], [[Jenifer Lewis]], [[Paul Dooley]], [[Lloyd Sherr]], [[Michael Wallis]], [[Katherine Helmond]] and [[John Ratzenberger]] are joined by [[Cristela Alonzo]], [[Chris Cooper]], [[Armie Hammer]], [[Nathan Fillion]], [[Kerry Washington]], and [[Lea DeLaria]], in addition to a dozen [[NASCAR]] personalities. In the film, [[Lightning McQueen]] (Wilson), now a veteran race car, must prove that he is still competitive against a new generation of technologically advanced racers, with the help of young technician Cruz Ramirez (Alonzo), to prevent a forced retirement from the Piston Cup.
Development of a third ''Cars'' film began in late 2011 after the release of its predecessor, and entered production in 2014, with Pixar's then-CCO [[John Lasseter]] stating that it would be a "very emotional story", and go back to the [[Cars (film)|first film]]'s themes. The production team for the film conducted research on multiple NASCAR racers, particularly older ones, as well as a sports psychoanalyst, while also focusing on McQueen's relationship with [[Doc Hudson]] and its meaning. The production utilized a new rendering system, Rix Integration Subsystem (RIS), which was previously used in ''[[Finding Dory]]'' (2016). New cast members including Hammer and Alonzo were announced in January 2017, followed by Fillion, Washington and DeLaria two months later. [[Randy Newman]], who had worked on the first film, composed the film's score with artists such as [[Andra Day]], [[James Bay (singer)|James Bay]], [[Brad Paisley]] and [[Jorge Blanco (musician)|Jorge Blanco]] contributing tracks for the film.
''Cars 3'' was first screened for the NASCAR industry in [[Kannapolis, North Carolina]] on May 23, 2017, before its theatrical release in the United States on June 16, accompanied by the animated short film ''[[Lou (2017 film)|Lou]]''. It received generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $383 million worldwide against its $175 million budget, becoming the lowest-grossing film of the franchise, but still a box office success.
==Plot==
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for featured film articles should be 400 to 700 words only. -->
Five years after competing in the World Grand Prix,{{Efn|As depicted in ''[[Cars 2]]'' (2011)}} [[Lightning McQueen]], now a seven-time Piston Cup champion,<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=Pixar Animation Studios |url=https://www.pixar.com/feature-films/cars-3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811210634/https://www.pixar.com/feature-films/cars-3 |archive-date=August 11, 2022 |access-date=September 9, 2022 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> finds himself overshadowed by [[List of Cars characters#Jackson Storm|Jackson Storm]], a rookie who is the first of a new generation of race cars that are equipped with advanced technology to improve their speed and performance. As Storm goes on a winning streak throughout the season, most racing veterans either retire or are dismissed by their sponsors in favor of younger next-gen racers. In the final race of the season at [[Los Angeles]], Lightning briefly gains first place but starts falling behind after being overtaken by Storm and the other next-gen racers. He desperately tries to keep up, but in doing so, loses control and suffers a [[Vehicle rollover|rollover crash]] after hitting the outside wall, leaving him severely injured and unable to race.
Four months later, Lightning, who has since recovered from his crash, decides that he will continue racing and calls his sponsors, Rusty and Dusty, who reveal they have sold Rust-eze to a wealthy business car named [[List of Cars characters#Sterling|Sterling]]. Sterling assigns Lightning to train at the Rust-eze Racing Center under [[List of Cars characters#Cruz Ramirez|Cruz Ramirez]], where he struggles to adapt to the modern training methods. After Lightning accidentally damages a simulator, Sterling tries to force him to retire. Adamant that he can still race, Lightning offers that if he wins the upcoming Florida 500, he can decide if he wants to keep racing; otherwise, he will retire immediately. Sterling reluctantly accepts the deal on the condition that Cruz must go with him.
Cruz's unconventional training methods and lack of real-world racing experience frustrate Lightning as they attempt to record his top speed at Fireball Beach. When Lightning decides to train at the Thunder Hollow Speedway, they realize it is being used for a [[Figure 8 racing|figure-8 style]] [[demolition derby]] called the "Crazy Eights" and are forced to participate, in which Cruz wins and accidentally reveals him to the public. Lightning angrily yells at Cruz after the demolition derby and accidentally breaks her trophy. Cruz reveals that she had always wanted to be a racer but was never confident enough to enter a race, so she resigns as Lightning's trainer and heads back to the racing center. Ashamed and without other options, Lightning calls his friend [[Mater (Cars)|Mater]] for advice, who suggests that Lightning track down [[Doc Hudson]]'s mentor and crew chief Smokey in his hometown of [[Thomasville, Georgia]]. Hence, Lightning catches up to Cruz and convinces her to rejoin him. In Thomasville, they meet up with Smokey, who reveals that, even though Doc never raced again, he found new happiness in training Lightning.{{Efn|As depicted in ''[[Cars (film)|Cars]]'' (2006)}} After Lightning accepts that he is an older car and will never be as fast as Storm, Smokey and Doc's old friends, Louise "Barnstormer" Nash, River Scott, and Junior "Midnight" Moon, help him learn new tricks to overcome his speed disadvantage, using Cruz as his [[sparring partner]]. After many attempts, Lightning finally manages to pass Cruz during the final practice race at Thomasville Speedway. However, Cruz suddenly overtakes Lightning, which causes him to remember being passed by Storm before his accident, shaking his confidence.
At the Florida 500, Lightning starts at the back but, with assistance from Smokey in the pits, manages to gradually push up the ranks. Sterling, who still believes that Lightning cannot win, orders Cruz back to the training center to prepare a rookie for the following race despite her wanting to stay. Overhearing the exchange on his radio and remembering Cruz's dream of racing, Lightning avoids a massive multi-car pile-up and has his crew outfit Cruz to take his place in the race, giving her a second chance to become a race car. While shaky at first, Cruz starts overtaking one car after another, thanks to Lightning coaching her from the pits. She eventually ends up right behind Storm. Feeling threatened, Storm tries to intimidate Cruz and even rams her against the wall in the final lap. Using one of Doc Hudson's old moves, Cruz flips over Storm, overtaking him, and wins the race.
As Cruz celebrates her victory, Sterling offers her a role on his team, but she instead takes a counteroffer from Dinoco's owner [[List of Cars characters#Tex Dinoco|Tex Dinoco]]. Since Lightning and Cruz were both wearing #95, Lightning becomes the joint-winner of the race and effectively passes his deal with Sterling. Returning to [[Radiator Springs]], Lightning reveals that Tex has bought Rust-eze from Sterling. Now decked in Doc's old racing colors, Lightning decides to continue racing but trains Cruz first for the rest of the season.
==Voice cast==
[[File:Owen Wilson 2017 Daytona 500.jpg|right|thumb|Owen Wilson, pictured in 2017<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Lawrence |first1=Derek |title=Cars 3 star Owen Wilson to act as Grand Marshal for Daytona 500 |url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/01/19/cars-3-owen-wilson-daytona-500/ |access-date=April 4, 2021 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=January 19, 2017 |ref=EWGrandMarshal}}</ref>]]
{{see also|List of Cars characters}}
* [[Owen Wilson]] as [[Lightning McQueen]],<ref name="USATCruzRamirez">{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/05/30/sneak-peek-exclusive-cars-3-new-character-cruz-ramirez/84981778/|title=Sneak peek: 'Cars 3' zooms ahead with new character Cruz Ramirez|date=30 May 2016|work=[[USA Today]]|last1=Alexander|first1=Bryan|access-date=23 July 2016|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612221645/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/05/30/sneak-peek-exclusive-cars-3-new-character-cruz-ramirez/84981778/|url-status=live}}</ref> the main protagonist and a legendary seven-time Piston Cup winner.
* [[Cristela Alonzo]] as [[List of Cars characters#Cruz Ramirez|Cruz Ramirez]],<ref name="USATCruzRamirez" /><ref name="EW Voices" /> a trainer at the Rust-eze Racing Center who grew up as a fan of Lightning.
* [[Chris Cooper]] as [[List of Cars characters#Smokey|Smokey]],<ref name="NASCAR legends" /> Doc Hudson's former mechanic and crew chief who helps out Lightning and Cruz.
* [[Nathan Fillion]] as [[List of Cars characters#Sterling "Rust eze"|Sterling]],<ref name=":0"/> a rich businesscar and the new Rust-eze team owner.
* [[Larry the Cable Guy]] as [[Mater (Cars)|Mater]], a jolly [[tow truck]] and Lightning McQueen's best friend.
* [[Armie Hammer]] as [[List of Cars characters#Jackson Storm|Jackson Storm]],<ref
name="USATCruzRamirez" /><ref name="EW Voices" /> McQueen's new racing rival.
* [[Tom and Ray Magliozzi]] as [[List of Cars characters#Rusty and Dusty Rust-eze|Rusty and Dusty Rust-eze]], respectively,<ref name="AMKeyCast" /> the owners of Rust-eze. Following Tom's death in 2014, unused archive recordings from the first film were used for Rusty's lines.
* [[Tony Shalhoub]] as [[List of Cars characters#Luigi and Guido|Luigi]], a [[Fiat 500]].
* [[Guido Quaroni]] as [[List of Cars characters#Luigi and Guido|Guido]], a [[forklift]] who is Luigi's partner.
* [[Bonnie Hunt]] as [[Sally Carrera]], a [[Porsche 996]], and Lightning McQueen's girlfriend.
* [[Lea DeLaria]] as [[List of Cars characters#Miss Fritter|Miss Fritter]],<ref name=":0" /> an intimidating monster [[school bus]] at the Thunder Hollow demolition derby.
* [[Kerry Washington]] as [[List of Cars characters#Natalie Certain|Natalie Certain]],<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:cite news||last=Anderton|first=Ethan|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/cars-3-cast/|title=Cars 3 Cast: Meet New Characters Voiced by Nathan Fillion, Kerry Washington & Lea DeLaria|date=March 9, 2017|work=[[/Film]]|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413012648/https://www.slashfilm.com/cars-3-cast/|url-status=live}}</ref> a statistical analyst.
* [[Bob Costas]] as [[List of Cars characters#Bob Cutlass|Bob Cutlass]], a main commentator for the Piston Cup.
* [[Margo Martindale]] as Louise "Barnstormer" Nash,<ref name="NASCAR legends" /> a white [[Nash Ambassador|1950 Nash Ambassador]] and a retired Piston Cup racer from the 1950s who was one of the three legends to live in Thomasville with Smokey.
* [[Isiah Whitlock Jr.]] as River Scott,<ref name="NASCAR legends">{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/18992860/new-cars-3-characters-inspired-nascar-legends|title=New 'Cars 3' characters inspired by NASCAR legends|date=29 March 2017|work=[[ESPN.com]]|last1=McGee|first1=Ryan|access-date=29 March 2017|archive-date=May 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515230351/http://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/18992860/new-cars-3-characters-inspired-nascar-legends|url-status=live}}</ref> a grey and black 1938 Dirt Track Racer and retired Piston Cup racer who is one of Smokey's friends.
* [[Bob Peterson (filmmaker)|Bob Peterson]] as [[List of Cars characters#Chick Hicks|Chick Hicks]], a former rival of Lightning who now hosts his own talk show called "Chick's Picks" on Racing Sports Network. He was originally voiced by [[Michael Keaton]] in the first film.
** Bob Peterson also voices Dr. Damage, a white and orange modified ambulance who partakes in the Crazy 8 demolition derby.
* [[John Ratzenberger]] as [[List of Cars characters#Mack|Mack]],<ref name="AMKeyCast">{{#invoke:cite news||last1=Milligan|first1=Mercedes|title=Disney-Pixar 'Cars 3' Key Cast and Characters Roll Out|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/features/disney-pixar-cars-3-key-cast-and-characters-roll-out/|access-date=11 March 2017|work=[[Animation Magazine]]|date=9 March 2017|archive-date=March 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310055158/http://www.animationmagazine.net/features/disney-pixar-cars-3-key-cast-and-characters-roll-out/|url-status=live}}</ref> a 1985 Mack Super-Liner who works for Lightning McQueen.
* [[Lewis Hamilton]] as [[List of Cars characters#Hamilton|Hamilton]],<ref name="AMKeyCast" /> Cruz' personal voice command assistant.
** [[Sebastian Vettel]] and [[Fernando Alonso]] voices the foreign language versions of Hamilton, with Vettel voicing 'Vettel' and 'Sebastian' in the Italian and German dubs respectively, and Alonso voicing 'Fernando' in the Spanish dub.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 December 2021 |title=From Lewis Hamilton to Michael Schumacher: WATCH F1 Drivers' Secret Guest Appearance in the Cars Movie Franchise |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/f1-news-from-lewis-hamilton-to-michael-schumacher-watch-f1-drivers-secret-guest-appearance-in-the-cars-movie-franchise/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228164302/https://www.essentiallysports.com/f1-news-from-lewis-hamilton-to-michael-schumacher-watch-f1-drivers-secret-guest-appearance-in-the-cars-movie-franchise/ |archive-date=28 December 2022 |access-date=28 December 2022 |website=EssentiallySports}}</ref>
* [[Lloyd Sherr]] as [[List of Cars characters#Fillmore|Fillmore]], a Volkswagen Type 2 microbus.
* [[Junior Johnson]] as Junior "Midnight" Moon,<ref name="NASCAR legends" /> a black [[1937 Ford|1940 Ford Standard Coupe]] and a retired Piston Cup racer who is one of Smokey's friends.
* [[Cheech Marin]] as [[List of Cars characters#Ramone|Ramone]], a 1959 Chevrolet Impala coupé Lowrider that owns the "Ramone's House of Body Art" store.
* [[Katherine Helmond]] as [[List of Cars characters#Lizzie|Lizzie]], a 1923 Ford Model T Coupe who is the elderly owner of a roadside souvenir and accessory shop (Radiator Springs Curios). This was Helmond's final appearance in the ''Cars'' franchise before her death in 2019.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/katherine-helmond-dead-whos-the-boss-star-89-877766|last=Barnes|first=Mike|title=Katherine Helmond, the Man-Crazy Mother on 'Who's the Boss?' Dies at 89|date=March 1, 2019|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=December 31, 2019|language=en-US|archive-date=March 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302120355/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/katherine-helmond-dead-whos-the-boss-star-89-877766|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Paul Dooley]] as [[List of Cars characters#Sarge|Sarge]], a 1941 Willys Jeep.
* [[Jenifer Lewis]] as [[List of Cars characters#Flo|Flo]], the owner of "Flo's V-8 Café" and Ramone's wife.
* [[Madeleine McGraw]] as [[List of Cars characters#Maddy McGear|Maddy McGear]], a young car who is Lightning McQueen's biggest fan.
* [[Michael Wallis]] as [[List of Cars characters#Sheriff|Sheriff]], a 1949 Mercury Eight Police Cruiser police car.
* [[Jerome Ranft]] as [[List of Cars characters#Red|Red]], a 1960s closed-cab Whitney [[Seagrave Fire Apparatus|Seagrave]] fire engine. He was originally voiced by [[Joe Ranft]] in the first film.
* [[Angel Oquendo]] as [[List of Cars characters#Stock car race cars|Bobby Swift]], a Piston Cup racer and one of Lightning's friends.
* [[Diedrich Bader]] as [[List of Cars characters#Stock car race cars|Brick Yardley]], a Piston Cup racer and one of Lightning's friends.
* [[Andra Day]] as Sweet Tea, a forklift and Louise Nash's former pitty who is now a singer at the Cotter Pin bar.
Additionally, several NASCAR drivers and other related personalities made cameo appearances, including [[Chase Elliott]] as Chase Racelott, [[Ryan Blaney]] as Ryan "Inside" Laney, [[Bubba Wallace]] as Bubba Wheelhouse, [[Shannon Spake]] as Shannon Spokes, [[Daniel Suárez]] as Danny Swervez, [[Ray Evernham]] as Ray Reverham, and [[Mike Joy]] as Mike Joyride. [[Richard Petty]] reprises his role of [[Strip 'The King' Weathers|Strip "The King" Weathers]] from the first film, while his son [[Kyle Petty]] voices Cal Weathers. [[Humpy Wheeler]], [[Jeff Gordon]], and [[Darrell Waltrip]] all reprise their roles as [[Tex Dinoco]], [[Jeff Gorvette]], and [[List of Cars characters#Darrell Cartrip|Darrell Cartrip]], respectively, from previous ''Cars'' media.<ref name="CinemaBlendDozenNascar">{{#invoke:cite web||last1=Libbey|first1=Dirk|date=24 February 2017|title=Cars 3 Has A Dozen NASCAR All Stars, Here's Who They Will Be Playing|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1628729/cars-3-has-a-dozen-nascar-all-stars-heres-who-will-be-playing|access-date=24 February 2017|website=CinemaBlend|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312194136/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1628729/cars-3-has-a-dozen-nascar-all-stars-heres-who-will-be-playing|archive-date=March 12, 2017}}</ref> [[Paul Newman]] posthumously appears as [[Doc Hudson]] through the use of unused audio recordings from the first film.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Desowitz |first=Bill |date=April 26, 2017 |title='Cars 3': How Pixar Channeled Paul Newman to Get Back on Track — Watch New Trailer |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/04/cars-3-pixar-paul-newman-racing-1201808989/ |access-date=April 27, 2017 |website=[[IndieWire]] |archive-date=April 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427004333/http://www.indiewire.com/2017/04/cars-3-pixar-paul-newman-racing-1201808989/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Production==
Development on ''Cars 3'' began in late 2011 after the release of ''[[Cars 2]]'',<ref name="LPInterviewKevinReher">{{#invoke:cite web||date=October 27, 2017 |title=Interview: "Cars 3" Producer Kevin Reher |url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2017/10/27/interview-cars-3-producer-kevin-reher/ |access-date=October 29, 2017 |publisher=Laughing Place |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142948/https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2017/10/27/interview-cars-3-producer-kevin-reher/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and by March 2014, pre-production on the film was underway.<ref name="VarietyThirdCars">{{#invoke:cite news||last=Graser|first=Marc|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/disney-plans-third-cars-the-incredibles-2-movies-1201137824/|title=Disney Plans Third 'Cars,' 'The Incredibles 2'|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=18 March 2014|access-date=19 November 2016|archive-date=July 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728021713/https://variety.com/2014/film/news/disney-plans-third-cars-the-incredibles-2-movies-1201137824/|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2014, Pixar's former chief creative officer [[John Lasseter]] revealed at the [[Tokyo International Film Festival]] that the film would feature a tribute to [[Hayao Miyazaki]]'s film ''[[The Castle of Cagliostro]]'', in a form of an old [[Citroën 2CV]].<ref name="VarietyHailsHayao">{{#invoke:cite news||last=Frater|first=Patrick|url=https://variety.com/2014/artisans/news/john-lasseter-hails-hayao-miyazaki-japan-and-the-joy-of-juxtaposition-1201338264/|title=John Lasseter Hails Hayao Miyazaki, Japan and the Joy of Juxtaposition|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=24 October 2014|access-date=19 November 2016|archive-date=December 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229172054/https://variety.com/2014/artisans/news/john-lasseter-hails-hayao-miyazaki-japan-and-the-joy-of-juxtaposition-1201338264/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Prior to the film's release, John Lasseter, who had directed the previous ''Cars'' films, stated that the film would have a "very emotional story", similar in tone to the first film.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=Schaefer|first=Sandy|url=https://screenrant.com/cars-3-pixar-lasseter-emotional-story/|title=Cars 3: John Lasseter Talks 'Very Emotional' Story|date=June 11, 2016|work=[[Screen Rant]]|publisher=Valnet, Inc.|access-date=November 8, 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=January 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114121442/https://screenrant.com/cars-3-pixar-lasseter-emotional-story/|url-status=live}}</ref> Co-writer Kiel Murray, who also co-wrote the original ''Cars'', said of the return to the series' roots, "With these franchises you always want to know who it's about. The first movie was about McQueen, and the second movie was a sort of off-ramp to the Mater story. We wanted to get back to the McQueen story. When we looked at what would be next for him, we wondered what that would be like both as an athlete, and also for what he was dealing with in the rest of his life."<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=McKittrick|first=Christopher|title=Cars 3: The Third Act|url=https://creativescreenwriting.com/cars-3/|work=Creative Screenwriting|date=June 16, 2017|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=August 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807102836/https://creativescreenwriting.com/cars-3/|url-status=live}}</ref>
According to director [[Brian Fee]], the production team did a lot of research, and, while they "looked at athletes in other sports", the team mainly focused on NASCAR racers. Fee said that they "even talked to a sports psychoanalyst who explained that many of these drivers can't imagine themselves doing anything else", an idea that resonated with the team. [[Mike Rich]] said that rookies taking over the sport is a "kind of endless story in sports" and compared McQueen to [[Wayne Gretzky]] and [[Misty May-Treanor]] as well as many others. Fee said that "being a parent became [his] main resource to find and understand the emotion" in the film's storyline. Scott Morse, the film's story supervisor, said that he wanted to highlight the film's emotional core and the character's relationships, wanting the film to feel like a sports film while also focusing on McQueen realizing "what their relationship meant to Doc".<ref name="ProdNotes"/>
On January 5, 2017, it was announced that [[Armie Hammer]] and [[Cristela Alonzo]] would voice Jackson Storm and Cruz Ramirez, respectively. Two months later, [[Nathan Fillion]], [[Kerry Washington]] and [[Lea DeLaria]] joined the cast.<ref name="EW Voices">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/01/05/cars-3-first-look/|title=Cars 3 first look: Meet Pixar's new millennials|last=Snetiker|first=Mark|date=5 January 2017|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=5 January 2017}}</ref>
The production utilized a new rendering mode, Rix Integration Subsystem (RIS), which made scenes like the demolition derby race possible. The system was previously used in ''[[Finding Dory]]'' (2016).<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://vfxvoice.com/cars-3-pixar-embraces-new-renderer-with-stunning-detail/|title=CARS 3: Pixar Embraces New Renderer with Stunning Detail|last=Failes|first=Ian|date=1 April 2017|website=VFX Voice|access-date=20 March 2018|archive-date=March 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321130320/http://vfxvoice.com/cars-3-pixar-embraces-new-renderer-with-stunning-detail/|url-status=live}}</ref> In previous Pixar films, the animators had to do the animation first before the rendering, but RIS allowed animation and rendering to take place simultaneously in a process called "hardware shading", making it much easier for the animators to see what a completed scene would look like when finished.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Tong|first=Brian|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/cars-3-behind-the-scenes-of-pixars-newest-ride/|title=Behind the tech that built Pixar's 'Cars 3'|date=April 26, 2017|website=[[CNET]]|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=October 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017154242/https://www.cnet.com/news/cars-3-behind-the-scenes-of-pixars-newest-ride/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Fee said that the film's animation is "art directed realism" and stated that it causes the film's characters and sets to "feel more real and alive than ever before", while Bill Cone, the film's production designer, said that "The term [they] use is believability, which is the basis for everything [Pixar does]". Global technology supervisor Sudeep Rangaswamy said that his team used an automatic process for the film's shots, which, in his words "allows a lot of flexibility" and that "It made shots that were previously impossible to render possible". Director of photography-camera Jeremy Lasky and editor Jason Hudak researched NASCAR footage for the film's race scenes.<ref name="ProdNotes"/>
==Music==
{{main article|Cars 3 (soundtrack)}}
Fee said that both the score and the soundtrack "really help support the story we are telling". Both the soundtrack and the score were released on June 16, 2017.<ref name="auto">{{Cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/disneypixars-cars-3-fuels-two-soundtrackscars-3-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-with-original-song-by-dan-auerbach-instrumental-tracks-by-brad-paisley-and-end-credit-track-by-zz-ward-and-cars-3-original-score-composed-an-300460139.html|title=Disney•Pixar's "Cars 3" Fuels Two Soundtracks--Cars 3 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack with Original Song by Dan Auerbach, Instrumental Tracks by Brad Paisley and End Credit Track by ZZ Ward; and Cars 3 Original Score Composed and Conducted by Randy Newman|last=Records|first=Walt Disney|website=[[PR Newswire]]|language=en|access-date=19 May 2017}}</ref>
The soundtrack features "Run That Race", an original song written and performed by [[Dan Auerbach]], who stated the song is "about never giving up and always trying your best".<ref name="auto"/> Auerbach said that the filmmakers showed him the story and some dialogue, from which he pieced together a story for the song.<ref name="ProdNotes"/> The soundtrack also features "Ride", an original song performed by [[ZZ Ward]] featuring [[Gary Clark Jr.]], which was released as a single on April 14, 2017.<ref name="auto"/>
The film's score was composed by Pixar's frequent collaborator, [[Randy Newman]], who previously composed the first film's score. Tom MacDougall, Disney's executive vice-president of music, said that Newman has "a real connection to the ''Cars'' world" and that "His ability to capture the feelings on this film, its characters, locations, and the Americana theme throughout is extraordinary-the music is so naturally fluid and inspired. It really feels like Randy is coming home with this score."<ref name="auto"/> Newman quoted tracks from the first film in moments where Fee "wanted to evoke an earlier time".<ref name="ProdNotes"/>
==Release==
===Theatrical===
''Cars 3'' was released in theaters on Friday, June 16, 2017, in the United States, in 3D,<ref name="VarietyIncredibles2Cars3">{{#invoke:cite news||title=Disney Announces Release Dates for 'Incredibles 2,' 'Cars 3'|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/disney-announces-release-dates-for-incredibles-2-cars-3-1201613523/|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=8 October 2015|access-date=20 March 2016|archive-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124100850/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/disney-announces-release-dates-for-incredibles-2-cars-3-1201613523/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dolby Cinema]] and selected [[IMAX]] theaters,<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=Cars 3|url=https://www.imax.com/movies/cars-3|website=[[IMAX]]|date=May 18, 2017|publisher=[[IMAX Corporation]]|access-date=May 21, 2017|archive-date=August 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814175420/https://www.imax.com/movies/cars-3|url-status=live}}</ref> accompanied by the Pixar short film ''[[Lou (2017 film)|Lou]]''.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last1=Truitt|first1=Brian|title=Sneak peek: Pixar's new 'Lou' short tackles playground bullying|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2017/02/01/sneak-peek-lou-pixar-short/97310424/|access-date=February 2, 2017|work=[[USA Today]]|date=February 1, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107164735/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2017/02/01/sneak-peek-lou-pixar-short/97310424/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film had a special screening for the [[NASCAR]] industry in [[Kannapolis, North Carolina]] on May 23, 2017.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last1=Albert|first1=Zack|title=Hollywood treatment for NASCAR's young stars in 'Cars 3'|url=http://www.nascar.com/news-media/2017/06/09/nascar-young-drivers-starring-roles-cars-3/|publisher=[[NASCAR]]|access-date=June 11, 2017|date=June 9, 2017|archive-date=June 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613124727/http://www.nascar.com/news-media/2017/06/09/nascar-young-drivers-starring-roles-cars-3/|url-status=live}}</ref> The world premiere was held in [[Anaheim, California]] on June 10, 2017.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||title='Cars 3' Premiere: See the Stars and Their Kids on the Red Carpet |url=https://www.wonderwall.com/awards-events/red-carpet/cars-3-premiere-see-stars-and-their-kids-red-carpet-3007289.gallery |access-date=7 March 2023 |work=Wonderwall.com |date=June 11, 2017 |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307044942/https://www.wonderwall.com/awards-events/red-carpet/cars-3-premiere-see-stars-and-their-kids-red-carpet-3007289.gallery |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Video game===
{{main|Cars 3: Driven to Win{{!}}''Cars 3: Driven to Win''}}
A [[tie-in#Video games|tie-in video game]] was announced to accompany the film's release. It was developed by [[Avalanche Software]], which was shut down by Disney in 2016, but was acquired and revived by [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]]. It was released on [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[Wii U]], [[Xbox 360]], and [[Xbox One]] on June 13, 2017, in North America,<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Macy|first=Seth|title=Cars 3: Driven to Win Release Date Revealed|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/04/05/cars-3-driven-to-win-release-date-revealed|date=April 5, 2017|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=April 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425051837/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/04/05/cars-3-driven-to-win-release-date-revealed|url-status=live}}</ref> in Europe and Australia on July 14, 2017,<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Seedhouse|first=Alex|title=Cars 3: Driven To Win On Nintendo Switch Is An Argos Exclusive In The UK|url=http://www.nintendo-insider.com/2017/04/cars-3-driven-to-win-on-nintendo-switch-is-an-argos-exclusive-in-the-uk/|website=Nintendo Insider|date=April 7, 2017|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=April 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415010245/http://www.nintendo-insider.com/2017/04/cars-3-driven-to-win-on-nintendo-switch-is-an-argos-exclusive-in-the-uk/|url-status=live}}</ref> and in Japan on July 20, 2017.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||title=カーズ3 勝利への道【公式サイト】 |url=https://warnerbros.co.jp/game/cars3/ |access-date=January 14, 2018 |website=Warner Bros. Japan |language=ja |archive-date=November 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113233956/https://warnerbros.co.jp/game/cars3/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As Disney no longer develops and publishes video games after the release of ''[[Disney Infinity 3.0]]'', Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment published the tie-in game.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last1=Spangler|first1=Todd|title='Cars 3' Console Video Game in Works From Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/games/cars-3-video-game-disney-pixar-warner-bros-1201969429/|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=25 January 2017|access-date=10 February 2017|archive-date=December 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229112642/https://variety.com/2017/digital/games/cars-3-video-game-disney-pixar-warner-bros-1201969429/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Home media===
''Cars 3'' was released on Digital HD on October 24, 2017, and was released on [[DVD]], [[Blu-ray]], and [[Ultra HD Blu-ray|4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]] on November 7, 2017, by [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]]. Physical copies contain an audio commentary, behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and the short films ''Miss Fritter's Racing Skoool'' and ''Lou''.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.pixarpost.com/2017/09/cars-3-4k.html|title='Cars 3' Marks Pixar's First 4K Ultra HD Release - on Digital (Oct. 24) & Physical (Nov. 7)|work=Pixar Post|date=September 5, 2017|access-date=August 15, 2019|archive-date=August 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815080316/https://www.pixarpost.com/2017/09/cars-3-4k.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Short film===
The [[BBC]], Disney and [[Lego]] released a short film via YouTube, on April 13, 2018, that is inspired by both the ''Cars'' franchise as well as the popular TV series ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]''. The film tells the story of Lightning McQueen's trip to the ''Top Gear'' track, where he achieves his dream of racing against the Stig.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last= |date=13 April 2018 |title=Mater, Cruz Ramirez, Lightning McQueen and The Stig Race Europe in New LEGO Juniors Top Gear video! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZK5LLn8CbA |website=[[LEGO]] |via=YouTube |access-date=April 18, 2018 |archive-date=April 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417004747/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZK5LLn8CbA&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite web|| url= https://www.topgear.com/car-news/movies/top-gear-tv-cars-3-lego-video | title= Watch: Lightning McQueen vs The Stig... in Lego! | website= [[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]] | date= April 13, 2018 | access-date= 13 April 2018 | archive-date= January 21, 2021 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210121040113/https://www.topgear.com/car-news/movies/top-gear-tv-cars-3-lego-video | url-status= live }}</ref>
==Reception==
===Box office===
''Cars 3'' grossed $152.9 million in the United States and Canada and $231 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $383.9 million, against a production budget of $175 million.<ref name=BOM/>
In North America, ''Cars 3'' was released alongside ''[[Rough Night]]'', ''[[47 Meters Down]]'' and ''[[All Eyez on Me (film)|All Eyez on Me]]'', and was projected to gross $55–60 million from 4,256 theaters in its opening weekend.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=Faughnder|first=Ryan|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-movie-projector-cars-3-htmlstory.html|title=Pixar's 'Cars 3' should unseat 'Wonder Woman' at the box office|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=June 13, 2017|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525035005/https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-movie-projector-cars-3-htmlstory.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|url=https://deadline.com/2017/06/cars-3-rough-night-all-eyez-on-me-box-office-weekend-preview-1202113139/|title='Cars 3' To Zoom Past 'Wonder Woman' For Top Box Office Spot – Preview|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=June 14, 2017|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=December 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231031851/https://deadline.com/2017/06/cars-3-rough-night-all-eyez-on-me-box-office-weekend-preview-1202113139/|url-status=live}}</ref> It made $2.8 million from Thursday night previews and $19.5 million on its first day. It went on to open to $53.7 million, finishing first at the box office and dethroning two-time first-place finisher ''[[Wonder Woman (2017 film)|Wonder Woman]]''. ''Cars 3'' had the lowest opening of the series, but nevertheless was the 16th Pixar film to debut at number one.<ref name=opening>{{#invoke:cite news||last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|url=https://deadline.com/2017/06/cars-3-all-eyez-on-me-tupac-shakur-rough-night-scarlett-johansson-mandy-moore-47-meters-below-1202114764/|title='Cars 3' $53M+ Is 3rd Best Debut For Pixar Series; 'Wonder Woman' Still Wows With $40M+; 'All Eyez On Me' Solid|date=June 18, 2017|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=April 30, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422031645/https://deadline.com/2017/06/cars-3-all-eyez-on-me-tupac-shakur-rough-night-scarlett-johansson-mandy-moore-47-meters-below-1202114764/ |archive-date=April 22, 2022}}</ref> In its second weekend, the film grossed $24.1 million, dropping to third place, behind ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight]]'' and ''Wonder Woman''.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|url=https://deadline.com/2017/06/transformers-the-last-knight-opening-weekend-box-office-1202118976/|title=Why 'Transformers' Is Screaming For Reboot After $69M Start; 'Wonder Woman' & 'Cars 3' Fight Over 2nd Place|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=June 26, 2017|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=June 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626185700/http://deadline.com/2017/06/transformers-the-last-knight-opening-weekend-box-office-1202118976/|url-status=live}}</ref> In its third weekend the film made $9.7 million ($14.1 million over the five-day 4 July holiday weekend), dropping to fifth.<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|url=https://deadline.com/2017/06/despicable-me-3-baby-driver-the-house-july-4th-weekend-box-office-independence-day-1202122599/|title='Baby Driver' Speeds to $27M+; Ferrell & Poehler's 'House' Burns Down as 'Despicable Me 3' Dominates|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=July 5, 2017|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=June 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630173918/http://deadline.com/2017/06/despicable-me-3-baby-driver-the-house-july-4th-weekend-box-office-independence-day-1202122599/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Critical response===
{{RT prose|68|6.10|234|''Cars 3'' has an unexpectedly poignant story to go with its dazzling animation, suggesting Pixar's most middle-of-the-road franchise may have a surprising amount of tread left.|ref=yes|access-date=February 19, 2021}} {{Metacritic film prose |score=59|count=41}}<ref>{{cite Metacritic|id=cars-3|type=movie|title=Cars 3|access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name=opening/>
The film was praised for its animation, story, and emotional depth, and it was considered an improvement over its predecessor by many critics.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Serrao|first=Nivea|url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/06/12/cars-3-reviews-pixar/|title='Cars 3': Here's What Critics Are Saying About Pixar's Latest Film|date=June 12, 2017|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|access-date=November 8, 2021}}</ref> [[Owen Gleiberman]] of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote, "''Cars 3'' is a friendly, rollicking movie made with warmth and dash, and to the extent that it taps our primal affection for this series, it more than gets the job done. Yet in many ways it's the tasteful version of a straight-to-DVD (or streaming) sequel."<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Gleiberman|first=Owen|author-link=Owen Gleiberman|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/cars-3-review-owen-wilson-1202462054/|title=Film Review: 'Cars 3'|newspaper=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=June 12, 2017|access-date=June 25, 2017|archive-date=June 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624160636/http://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/cars-3-review-owen-wilson-1202462054/|url-status=live}}</ref> David Fear of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' gave the film a positive review, saying: "There's an emotional resonance to this story about growing old, chasing glory days and the joy of passing the baton that leaves the other two films choking on its digitally rendered dust. The end goal this time out isn't just to sell a few more toys and Lightning McQueen lunchboxes. It's actually tapping into something deeper than a corporate bottom line."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Fear |first=David |date=June 14, 2017 |title='Cars 3' Review: Series Finally Delivers a Movie Deserving of Pixar Name |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/cars-3-finally-a-cars-movie-worthy-of-the-pixar-name-w487690 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615103040/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/cars-3-finally-a-cars-movie-worthy-of-the-pixar-name-w487690 |archive-date=June 15, 2017 |access-date=June 25, 2017 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> Mike Ryan of [[Uproxx]] called the film "the ''[[Rocky III]]'' of the ''Cars'' franchise", and wrote "There's a hint of sadness that seems to be present throughout ''Cars 3'' that gives it a little more weight than the previous installments."<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Ryan|first=Mike|url=http://www.uproxx.com/movies/cars-3-review/|title='Cars 3' Is The 'Rocky III' Of The 'Cars' Franchise|publisher=[[Uproxx]]|date=June 12, 2017|access-date=July 2, 2017|archive-date=June 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628155327/http://uproxx.com/movies/cars-3-review/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Alonso Duralde]] of ''[[TheWrap]]'' gave the film a mixed review, saying: "As a spawner of merchandise, ''Cars 3'' fires on all pistons but, as a movie, it's a harmless but never stimulating 109 minutes."<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Duralde|first=Alonso|url=https://www.thewrap.com/cars-3-review-owen-wilson-cristela-alonzo-pixar/|title='Cars 3' Review: Lightning McQueen Has Mid-Life Crisis as Series Spins Its Wheels|newspaper=[[TheWrap]]|date=June 12, 2017|access-date=July 2, 2017|archive-date=June 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626160133/https://www.thewrap.com/cars-3-review-owen-wilson-cristela-alonzo-pixar/|url-status=live}}</ref> Vicky Roach of ''[[News.com.au]]'' gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, saying: "Returning to the iconic, backroads nostalgia of the original film, ''Cars 3'' puts the flashy, unpopular middle film squarely in its rear vision mirror. The route that the filmmakers take might be familiar, but after gunning it, they take the corners like pros."<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||last=Roach |first=Vicky |date=June 24, 2017 |title=Cars 3 does a victory lap |work=[[News.com.au]] |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/new-movies/lightning-queen-has-a-lot-of-miles-on-the-clock-but-dont-rule-the-old-pro-out-of-the-race-just-yet/news-story/ffbc5d3207637a891d0bd1266b88aa78 |access-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-date=June 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629214948/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/new-movies/lightning-queen-has-a-lot-of-miles-on-the-clock-but-dont-rule-the-old-pro-out-of-the-race-just-yet/news-story/ffbc5d3207637a891d0bd1266b88aa78 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Accolades===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="width: 99%;"
|-
! scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Date of ceremony
! scope="col"| Category
! scope="col" style="width:30%;"| Recipient(s)
! scope="col"| Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[2017 Teen Choice Awards|Teen Choice Awards]]
| rowspan="2" |August 13, 2017
|Choice Movie: Comedy
|[[Walt Disney Pictures]]
|{{nominated}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/awards/teen-choice-awards-2017-tcas-fox-winners-list-riverdale-fifth-harmony-1202526197/|title=Teen Choice Awards 2017: 'Riverdale,' Fifth Harmony Shut Out Competition|last=Knapp|first=Rebecca Rubin, JD|date=2017-08-14|work=Variety|access-date=2017-12-10|language=en-US|archive-date=August 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816144937/http://variety.com/2017/tv/awards/teen-choice-awards-2017-tcas-fox-winners-list-riverdale-fifth-harmony-1202526197/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Choice Movie Actor: Comedy
|[[Owen Wilson]]
|{{nominated}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Detroit Film Critics Society]]
| December 7, 2017
| Best Animated Film
| ''Cars 3''
| {{nominated}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://detroitfilmcritics.com/the-2017-detroit-film-critics-society-awards-nominations/|work=Detroit Film Critics Society|title=2017 Detroit Film Critics Society Awards Nominations|access-date=December 5, 2017|date=December 4, 2017|archive-date=December 5, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171205104352/http://detroitfilmcritics.com/the-2017-detroit-film-critics-society-awards-nominations/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[St. Louis Film Critics Association]]
| December 15, 2017
| [[St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film|Best Animated Feature]]
| [[Brian Fee]]
| {{Nominated}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Amidi|first=Amid|title=Annual StLFCA Awards|url=http://www.stlfilmcritics.org/awards/|access-date=December 12, 2017|publisher=Sf. Louis Film Association|date=December 12, 2017|archive-date=December 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215035021/http://www.stlfilmcritics.org/awards/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[IGN Awards]]
| December 19, 2017
| Best Animated Movie
| ''Cars 3''
| {{Nominated}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://uk.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Movie_of_the_Year|title=Best of 2017 Nominees|author=<!--IGN editors; none listed-->|work=[[IGN Awards]]|date=December 4, 2017|access-date=December 5, 2017|archive-date=December 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208171102/http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Movie_of_the_Year|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| scope="row" | [[Image Awards]]
| January 15, 2018
| Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance
| [[Kerry Washington]]
| {{Nominated}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://deadline.com/2017/11/naacp-image-awards-netflix-own-annapurna-universal-pictures-open-road-films-anthony-anderson-1202212017/|title=NAACP Image Awards Nominees: Netflix, OWN Lead In TV; Universal, Annapurna, Open Road Top Film|last=Haring|first=Bruce|date=2017-11-20|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=2017-12-10|archive-date=April 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420011814/http://deadline.com/2017/11/naacp-image-awards-netflix-own-annapurna-universal-pictures-open-road-films-anthony-anderson-1202212017/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| scope="row" | [[Satellite Awards]]
| [[22nd Satellite Awards|February 10, 2018]]
| [[Satellite Award for Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature|Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature]]
| ''Cars 3''
| {{Nominated}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Pond|first=Steve|url=https://www.thewrap.com/dunkirk-the-shape-of-water-lead-satellite-award-nominations/|title='Dunkirk,' 'The Shape of Water' Lead Satellite Award Nominations|work=[[The Wrap]]|date=November 29, 2017|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=November 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129213222/https://www.thewrap.com/dunkirk-the-shape-of-water-lead-satellite-award-nominations/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| scope="row" | [[Art Directors Guild]]
| January 27, 2018
| Production Design in an Animated Feature
| William Cone and Jay Shuster
| {{Nominated}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Giardina|first=Carolyn|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2018-art-directors-guild-nominations-1067883/item/animated-film-art-directors-guild-awards-nominations-2018-1071548|title=Art Directors Guild Awards: 'Dunkirk,' 'Shape of Water,' 'Blade Runner 2049' Among Nominees|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=January 4, 2018|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=January 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110054729/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2018-art-directors-guild-nominations-1067883/item/animated-film-art-directors-guild-awards-nominations-2018-1071548|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="3" |[[Visual Effects Society|Visual Effects Society Awards]]
|rowspan="3" |[[16th Visual Effects Society Awards|February 13, 2018]]
|[[Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature|Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature]]
| [[Brian Fee]], Kevin Reher, Michael Fong, and Jon Reisch
| {{nom}}
|rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2018-visual-effects-society-awards-nominations-list-full-1067888|title=Visual Effects Society Awards: 'Apes,' 'Blade Runner 2049' Lead Feature Nominees|work=Hollywood Reporter|first=Carolyn|last=Giardina|date=January 16, 2018|access-date=January 16, 2018|archive-date=January 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116220634/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2018-visual-effects-society-awards-nominations-list-full-1067888|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Outstanding Created Environment in an Animated Feature
|Marlena Fecho, Thidartana Annee Jonjai, Jose L. Ramos Serrano, and Frank Tai for "Abandoned Racetrack"
|{{nom}}
|-
|Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Animated Feature
|Greg Gladstone, Stephen Marshall, Leon JeongWook Park, and Tim Speltz
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" scope="row" | [[Annie Award]]
| rowspan="2" | [[45th Annie Awards|February 3, 2018]]
| [[Annie Award for Best Animated Feature|Best Animated Feature]]
| Kevin Reher
| {{Nominated}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Amidi|first=Amid|title=Walt Disney Company Picks Up 33 Annie Award Nominations, Including 13 For 'Coco'|url=http://www.cartoonbrew.com/awards/walt-disney-company-picks-33-annie-award-nominations-including-13-coco-155156.html|access-date=December 4, 2017|publisher=[[Cartoon Brew]]|date=December 4, 2017|archive-date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204224148/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/awards/walt-disney-company-picks-33-annie-award-nominations-including-13-coco-155156.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Animated Effects in an Animated Production
| Amit Baadkar, Greg Gladstone, Stephen Marshall, Tim Speltz, and Jon Reisch
| {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[Cinema Audio Society Awards]]
| [[Cinema Audio Society Awards 2017|February 24, 2018]]
| Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Motion Picture – Animated
| Doc Kane, Tom Meyers, Michael Semanick, Nathan Nance, David Boucher, and Blake Collins
| {{Nominated}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://cinemaaudiosociety.org/54th-cas-awards-nominees/|title=54th CAS Awards Nominees|work=Cinema Audio Society|date=January 18, 2018|access-date=January 18, 2018|archive-date=January 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110234407/http://cinemaaudiosociety.org/54th-cas-awards-nominees/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards]]
| [[2018 Kids' Choice Awards|March 24, 2018]]
| [[Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie|Favorite Animated Movie]]
| rowspan="2"| ''Cars 3''
| {{Nominated}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|title=NICKELODEON ANNOUNCES 2018 KIDS' CHOICE AWARDS NOMINATIONS|url=http://www.nickpress.com/press-releases/2018/02/26/nickelodeon-announces-2018-kids-choice-awards-nominations|website=Nick.com|publisher=Viacom Entertaining Group|date=February 26, 2018|access-date=November 25, 2024|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612135947/http://www.nickpress.com/press-releases/2018/02/26/nickelodeon-announces-2018-kids-choice-awards-nominations|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| [[Saturn Awards]]
| [[44th Saturn Awards|June 27, 2018]]
| [[Saturn Award for Best Animated Film|Best Animated Film]]
| {{Nominated}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/saturn-awards-nominations-2018-black-panther-walking-dead-1202727752/|title='Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations|last=McNary|first=Dave|author-link=Dave McNary|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=March 15, 2018|access-date=March 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316023438/http://variety.com/2018/film/news/saturn-awards-nominations-2018-black-panther-walking-dead-1202727752/|archive-date=March 16, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
|-
|}
==Possible sequel==
Regarding a possible ''Cars 4'', ''Cars 3'' producers Kevin Reher and Andrea Warren stated speaking to ''CinemaBlend'' that "If there's a good story to tell, I mean, our heads kinda break after having gotten this one done, like "Oh my god," what could you do the further adventures of? But like any sequel, from ''[[Toy Story 4]]'' to ''[[Incredibles 2]]'', as long as there's a good story to tell it's worth investing, we do love these characters, we love them as much as the public does."<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Libbey|first=Dirk|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1651339/will-pixar-ever-do-cars-4|title=Will Pixar Ever Do Cars 4?|date=April 27, 2017|website=[[Future plc#Brands|CinemaBlend]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=April 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428004338/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1651339/will-pixar-ever-do-cars-4|url-status=live}}</ref> Regarding which character would be the main protagonist in the film, Reher and Warren stated that "if Cruz is a breakout character, kind of like Mater was, she would be involved in a ''4''".<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.bustle.com/p/is-cars-3-the-last-cars-movie-the-franchise-could-keep-riding-for-years-63887|title=Don't Expect 'Cars 3' To End The Franchise|first=Johnny|last=Brayson|date=June 12, 2017|website=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307233940/https://www.bustle.com/p/is-cars-3-the-last-cars-movie-the-franchise-could-keep-riding-for-years-63887|url-status=live}}</ref> Owen Wilson stated at a ''Cars 3'' press event that possible stories have been discussed for a ''Cars 4'', though he would personally like for a fourth ''Cars'' film to delve into aspects of the [[Thriller (genre)|thriller genre]], akin to ''Cars 2''.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Schwerdtfeger|first=Conner|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1671059/what-cars-4-should-be-about-according-to-owen-wilson|title=What Cars 4 Should Be About, According to Owen Wilson|date=June 16, 2017|website=[[Future plc#Brands|CinemaBlend]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308032310/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1671059/what-cars-4-should-be-about-according-to-owen-wilson|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[Screen Rant]]'', [[Lea DeLaria]] expressed interest in reprising her role as [[List of Cars characters#Miss Fritter|Miss Fritter]] while promoting the release of the short film, ''Miss Fritter's Racing Skoool'' with the ''Cars 3'' [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray]] release.<ref>{{#invoke:cite web||last=Deckelmeier|first=Joe|url=https://screenrant.com/cars-3-interview-lea-delaria/|title=Cars 3 Star Hopes Sequel Focuses on Miss Fritters|date=November 6, 2017|website=[[Screen Rant]]|access-date=November 8, 2021|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308141359/https://screenrant.com/cars-3-interview-lea-delaria/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In December 2023, during an interview at the 2023 Porsche Rennsport Reunion Event, the creative director of the saga, Jay Ward, revealed that Pixar is developing new projects related to the franchise: "There are more ''Cars'' things brewing, I can't say much more yet. ''Cars'' has got a life that will keep going. I am working on some real fun projects right now that you will see in a couple of years. It takes us a while to make them."<ref name="movieweb.com">{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/pixar-cars-4-new-projects/|title=Pixar Reportedly Developing New Cars Projects|website=[MovieWeb] |date=December 29, 2023|access-date=December 29, 2023}}</ref><ref name="worldoffreel.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2023/12/27/tps8em66b55ueftrt7iygxvm3fhavd|title='Cars 4' is Happening at Pixar |website=[World of Reel] |date=December 27, 2023|access-date=December 27, 2023}}</ref><ref name="cbr.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/pixar-teases-cars-4-spinoffs/|title=Cars 4 Gets Exciting Update From Pixar |website=[CBR] |date=December 28, 2023|access-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref>
== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" /><div class="reflist reflist-lower-alpha"><references group="lower-alpha" /></div>
==References==
<references />
==External links==
{{commons category|Cars 3}}
{{wikiquote}}
* {{Official website|http://movies.disney.com/cars-3}}
* {{IMDb title|3606752}}
* {{AllMovie title|596223}}
{{Cars}}
{{Disney theatrical animated features}}
{{Pixar}}
{{#invoke:Portal bar|main|Disney|Cartoon|Animation}}
[[Category:2010s American animated films]]
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[[Category:Animated films set in Los Angeles]]
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[[Category:Cars (franchise)]]
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