Mater and the Ghostlight: the first Cars short film
790 mots | Temps de lecture : 3 minute(s)
MovieMater and the GhostlightRadiator Springs
The very first Cars short film does not belong to the Cars Toons: it precedes them. Released in 2006 as a bonus on the movie's DVD, Mater and the Ghostlight runs about 7 minutes and bears the signature of John Lasseter, with Dan Scanlon as co-director. In it, Mater pranks all of Radiator Springs, moves Red's flowers and bursts out of a pile of tires to scare Guido and Luigi, until the Sheriff tells him the legend of a supernatural blue orb. When night falls, the prankster is in turn chased by a light. This article retraces the short and its punchline.
Summary
- The very first Cars short film
- When Mater plays pranks on all of Radiator Springs
- The legend of the ghostlight
- The prankster gets a taste of his own medicine
- Why this short matters
- Summary table
- FAQ
The very first Cars short film
Mater and the Ghostlight is the very first short film from the Cars universe, released in 2006 as a bonus feature on the movie's DVD. Directed by John Lasseter, with Dan Scanlon as co-director, and approximately 7 minutes long, it stars Mater. A unique aspect: it's the only Cars short that is not part of the Cars Toons series — it precedes them.
When Mater plays pranks on all of Radiator Springs
Mater spends his day pranking the residents: he moves Red's flowers, pops out of a pile of tires to scare Guido and Luigi, dresses up as a "cone vampire" to frighten Sally, tries (in vain) to scare a sleeping Lizzie, repeatedly pulls out Fillmore's gas cans, and makes Lightning McQueen jump. In short, the village prankster is on a rampage.
The legend of the ghostlight
When Mater mocks McQueen by mentioning "the ghostlight," the Sheriff reprimands him and tells the legend: a blue, supernatural orb of light that haunts Radiator Springs. It's blamed for the disappearance of a young couple — who allegedly left behind only two out-of-state license plates — and it supposedly hates the sound of clanging metal above all else.
The spirit of Radiator Springs
Brown Cars Tow Truck from Radiator Springs - Mater "Race Team Mater" Edition
Mater, the star of the short: the famous tow truck to park in your Cars collection.
The prankster gets a taste of his own medicine
As night falls, Mater is in turn terrified by a mysterious light that chases him through town. The verdict comes: it was just a simple lantern attached to his tow cable by Lightning McQueen and Guido — a prank orchestrated by his friends to give him a taste of his own medicine.
Why this short matters
As the first short in the franchise, Mater and the Ghostlight establishes the comedic tone of Cars and foreshadows the future Cars Toons, where Mater would become the big star. To place this short in chronological order, also see our Cars saga viewing guide.
🎬 Dive into the world of the first film with our Cars collection.
Summary table
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Original Title | Mater and the Ghostlight |
| Type | Short film (Cars DVD bonus) |
| Year | 2006 |
| Director | John Lasseter (co-directed by Dan Scanlon) |
| Duration | approx. 7 minutes |
| Central Character | Mater |
| Distinguishing Feature | The first Cars short — predates the Cars Toon series |
Also read: all Cars Toons characters (the guide by short film).
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
What is "Mater and the Ghostlight"?
The very first short film from the Cars universe (2006), released as a bonus on the movie's DVD, centered on Mater.
When was it released?
In 2006, with the DVD release of the first Cars movie.
Is it an episode of Cars Toons?
No: it's the original Cars short, preceding the Cars Toons series (it is not part of it).
Is the ghostlight real?
No: it's a prank. The "light" was just a lantern attached to Mater's tow cable by Lightning McQueen and Guido.
Who directed this short film?
John Lasseter, with Dan Scanlon as co-director; Lasseter also directed the first Cars movie.