In what order should I watch the Cars movies and series?
1142 mots | Temps de lecture : 5 minute(s)
Summary
- The recommended order at a glance
- The complete list in order
- Release order or chronological order?
- Where to place the Cars short films?
- What about the Planes movies?
- Where to watch the Cars saga today?
- Summary table
- FAQ
The recommended order at a glance
Good news: there's no puzzle. The best way to discover the Cars universe is to follow the release order. This is also the chronological order of the story, as each film advances Lightning McQueen's life through time, without flashbacks or prequels that would disrupt the timeline.
The ideal order: Cars (2006) → Cars 2 (2011) → Cars 3 (2017) → the series Cars on the Road (2022), inserting the Cars Toon short films between the movies, whenever you feel like it.
📘 Before you start, find out why the Cars saga is so popular.
The complete list in order
Here are the feature films and the main series, in the order to watch them:
- Cars (2006) — the foundational film. Racing star Lightning McQueen gets stranded in Radiator Springs and learns about friendship and humility. → The complete story of Cars 1.
- Cars 2 (2011) — a change of pace: a spy film where Mater is mistaken for a secret agent during the World Grand Prix. → Cars 2, the spy film.
- Cars 3 (2017) — a return to basics and emotion: faced with the high-tech rival Jackson Storm, Lightning McQueen must reinvent himself and pass on his knowledge. → Cars 3, the emotional journey.
- Cars on the Road (2022) — the nine-episode Disney+ series: Lightning McQueen and Mater hit the road again for a road trip full of surprises. → the Cars on the Road series.
🏁 What's next? A fourth film has not been officially confirmed by Disney-Pixar to date, but it could be in development. We cover everything we know in all we know about Cars 4.
Release order or chronological order?
For many sagas, the release order and the chronological order of the story differ. This is not the case with Cars: the films follow each other in time. We see Lightning McQueen go from a young arrogant champion (Cars) to an experienced racer who must give up his place (Cars 3), then to a relaxed travel companion (Cars on the Road).
Conclusion: the release order is the chronological order. Therefore, it is the one we recommend without hesitation, whether for a first viewing or a family marathon.
📀 For a home marathon, find the films on Cars DVD and Blu-ray.
Where to place the Cars short films?
The Cars universe also includes many short films, which can be watched freely between the movies:
- Mater and the Ghostlight (2006) — a bonus short released just after the first film.
- Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales (2008-2012) — eleven short episodes where Mater recounts his wildest adventures.
- Cars Toon: Tales from Radiator Springs (2013-2014) — four additional shorts, including The Radiator Springs 500½.
- Miss Fritter’s Racing Skoool (2017) — a short released with the Cars 3 Blu-ray.
🎬 To find your way through all these episodes, follow our guide to Cars Toon and Mater's improbable adventures.
What about the Planes movies?
Be careful not to mix everything up: Planes (2013) and Planes 2: Fire & Rescue (2014) take place in the same world as Cars, but they are spin-offs produced by DisneyToon Studios, not by Pixar.
They are therefore not essential to understand Lightning McQueen's story. You can watch them as a bonus, after the main trilogy, if you enjoy the universe.
🚗 In the meantime, extend the adventure with Cars miniature cars of your favorite characters.
Where to watch the Cars saga today?
The three Cars films, the Cars on the Road series, and the short films are available for streaming on Disney+, Disney-Pixar's official platform. This is the simplest option to watch everything in order.
For collectors and image quality enthusiasts, physical editions remain a safe bet, without relying on an internet connection.
🖼️ And to decorate the room in the colors of the saga, take a look at our Cars posters.
Summary table
| Title | Year / Format |
|---|---|
| Cars | 2006 — Feature film (Pixar) |
| Mater and the Ghostlight | 2006 — Short film |
| Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales | 2008-2012 — 11 short episodes |
| Cars 2 | 2011 — Feature film (Pixar) |
| Cars Toon: Tales from Radiator Springs | 2013-2014 — 4 shorts |
| Cars 3 | 2017 — Feature film (Pixar) |
| Miss Fritter’s Racing Skoool | 2017 — Short film |
| Cars on the Road | 2022 — Disney+ Series (9 episodes) |
| Cars 4 | Not officially confirmed to date |
Read also: Mater and the Ghostlight, the first Cars short.
Read also: which Cars books to choose by age.
The whole saga
Set of 5 Cars Diecast Cars - Disney 100th Anniversary Special Edition
The 5-car set 100th anniversary edition of Disney to relive the entire Cars saga.
🏁 Explore other products in the Cars DVD & Blu-ray collection.
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
In what order should I watch the Cars movies?
In release order, which corresponds to chronological order: Cars (2006), Cars 2 (2011), Cars 3 (2017), then the Cars on the Road series (2022).
Do I need to watch Cars 2 to understand Cars 3?
No, each film stands on its own. But watching them in order allows you to follow Lightning McQueen's and Mater's evolution from one film to the next.
Are the Planes movies part of the Cars saga?
Planes (2013) and Planes 2 (2014) take place in the same universe, but they are spin-offs from DisneyToon Studios, not Pixar films. They are optional.
Where can I stream Cars?
The entire saga (films, series, and short films) is available on Disney+.
Is Cars 4 planned?
To date, no fourth film has been officially confirmed by Disney-Pixar, although the project could be in development.