Cars is one of the most popular Pixar franchises and from its beginnings in 2006, it spaned multiple sequels, spin-offs, shorts and even TV shows. In this article, we will show you how to watch all Cars movies in order, as well as its sequels Planes.
We will also let you know about Cars shorts and TV series but won’t go much into detail about them. So let’s find out how many Cars movies are there, how to watch them in order, do you really need to watch them in order and can we expect more Cars movies in the future.
How many Cars movies are there?
There are currently three Cars movies and two Planes spin-offs. There are also five short movies and a TV show. For now, we will only focus on movies, but will let you know about all of them later.
- Cars (2006)
- Cars 2 (2011)
- Planes (2013)
- Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014)
- Cars 3 (2017)
Let’s check out the best order of watching Cars and Planes movies below.
Cars and Planes movies in order
Watching Cars and Planes movies in order is pretty simple. You just need to follow the release date. We will be sorting them like that below, but we will also tell you about every movie in short.
Cars (2006)
Lightning Mcqueen is a champion of car races, an idol of young people and a fearless athlete. Although infinitely confident and arrogant, he doesn’t really know anything about real life, and as a celebrated runner, he doesn’t let anyone surpass him. During the last race, he had an accident that caused two more cars to enter the finish line at the same time. To declare the real winner, the organizers decide to hold another competition, at a major racetrack in California.
While traveling in a truck towards his destination, Mcqueen had an accident and got stuck in a small, neglected hamlet. Desperate because he can’t leave due to damage, he is forced to stay in the hamlet, to get to know it with inconspicuous and inappropriate cars, but which will become dear to him.
Cars 2 (2011)
Mcqueen and his entire team, along with his new boss Mater, set out on a trip around the world to take part in races of true champions held in five different countries: Japan, Germany, Italy, France and the UK. However, Mater soon falls into a case of identity change and, after rescuing a British secret agent, he finds himself in the world of international espionage completely unexpectedly.
Planes (2013)
Dusty is a dusting plane that dreams of an air racer career. But his fear of heights poses problems. Because of all this, he will seek help from a seasonal aviator who will help Dusty qualify for the demanding championship. Dusty’s courage will be put to the ultimate test as he prepares to conquer the heights he has only dreamed of before.
Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014)
When Dusty Crophopper finds out that his days in competitive racing are numbered due to a technical malfunction, he is forced to face the idea that he may never be a racing plane again. Eager for adventure and adrenaline Dusty joins the veteran team; firefighters including the Lil ‘Dipper air tanker, the Windlifter helicopter and a whole team of off-road vehicles.
Together, they form a team of fearless heroes who protect the wilderness and beauty of forests and untouched nature, and in their society, they will finally understand what it means to be a hero worthy of admiration.
Cars 3 (2017)
Taken aback by the new generation of race cars as fast as flames, the legendary Lightning McQueen was suddenly thrown out of the sport he loves. To get back into the game, he will need the help of Cruz Ramirez, a zealous young technician with his own plan to win, inspiration from old Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected twists. The heart of the champion will be tested on the biggest track of the Piston Cup, where it will be proven that the number 95 is not over yet!
Every Cars and Planes movies, shorts and TV shows
As we mentioned earlier, we won’t be listing all the shorts and TV shows on our watch order, but we will be letting you know about all of them in case you would like to watch them all. Check the complete Cars franchise below.
- Cars (2006) – Movie
- Mater and the Ghostlight (2006) – Short movie
- Cars 2 (2011) – Movie
- Cars Toons: Mater’s Tall Tales (2008–12) – TV Show
- Planes (2013) – Spin-off Movie
- Cars Toons: Tales from Radiator Springs (2013–14) – TV Show
- Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014) – Spin-off Movie
- Vitaminamulch: Air Spectacular (2014) – Short movie
- Cars 3 (2017) – Movie
- Miss Fritter’s Racing Skoool (2017) – Short movie
- Dancing with the Cars (2021) – Short movie
- Unparalleled Parking (2021) – Short movie
- Untitled Lightning McQueen and Mater series (2022) – Short movie
