20 Years Later, Pixar’s Dark Horse Keeps Getting Better

Published Sep 7, 2026, 4:30 PM EDT Kyle is a senior writer at ScreenRant and has been part of the team for over two years. Having led coverage on The Walking Dead projects alongside Rick & Morty, Kyle is well versed in numerous genres. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Kyle is a passionate journalist who has a keen interest in TV and film. He has six years of experience studying journalism including a HND in Practical Journalism and a BA Honours in Journalism, Media and Communication and History. Alongside his love for TV and film, Kyle enjoys video games, football and Formula 1. Ever since Toy Story first hit screens in 1995, Pixar has grown bigger and bigger, becoming one of the most popular and reliable studios in the industry. While Pixar's recent run hasn't been as strong as its earlier years, people still get excited when the studio announces a new movie, but it's hard to beat the classics. Alongside Toy Story, The Incredibles and Monsters Inc. are some of Pixar's biggest IPs, while WALL-E and Up have stood out among the company's best solo projects. However, one incredible hit that often goes under the radar is 2006's Cars, which remains an absolute gem two decades later. On the surface, Cars may seem like a simple racing movie about a young rookie rising to become a star, but the film's message is so much deeper. It sees Lightning McQueen go from an arrogant hotshot to someone willing to sacrifice fame and glory for honor, thanks to his time in Radiator Springs. He learns there is more to racing than simply winning, and that simple yet powerful message helped it become a big hit, hence why Cars is still so popular 20 years on. If its success wasn't obvious already, its re-release certainly proved it, as it made $9.5 million worldwide over the course of Labor Day weekend. This is Pixar's highest-grossing re-release in a decade, and it also means that Cars has officially crossed $250 million domestically at the box office. Finding this kind of success after 20 years isn't possible without such a big fan base, but despite not being loved by everyone, Cars keeps finding new gears and is aging gracefully. Cars’ 2026 Box Office Triumph Proves It's Still One Of Pixar’s Greatest Ever Movies Whereas some of Pixar's other classics from around Cars' era still get held in very high regard, the 2006 masterpiece doesn't always quite get the same treatment, despite being one of Pixar's all-time greats. Sure, 2026 has been kind to the film due to its milestone anniversary, but Cars is often overshadowed by the hits that came before and after. Still, being overlooked doesn't mean we shouldn't consider it among Pixar's best, as it has strong reviews across the board and even got two sequels alongside a spinoff movie. Cars' world is also one of the most unique in the studio's vast library, and there is a surprisingly detailed amount of lore, including Piston Cup winners dating back to 1949. With Cars 2 being one of the wildest sequels in recent memory, its spy-thriller storyline only adds to how memorable this franchise is. The original movie took a big risk by making Lightning McQueen difficult to like at first, yet watching him mature before eventually having his big moment during the climax was such a rewarding payoff. His journey was helped by so many beloved, vibrant characters who each made the movie so iconic, not to mention the actual racing elements being elite. Even if some themes feel relatively basic, they were explored with nuance and depth, explaining why people are still going to theaters 20 years later to watch Cars. Its legacy has certainly gotten better with age, but seeing Cars perform so well after 20 years is all the evidence needed to confirm it's a top-tier Pixar film. With the animation and visuals still capturing people enough to make nearly $10 million in 2026, Cars has stood the test of time and deserves to finally get its flowers. Should Pixar Make Cars 4? It has been over nine years since the latest Cars movie debuted, and while it was received well for the most part, it did seem like the franchise's best days were behind it. The box office figures couldn't match either of its predecessors, and neither Cars 2 nor 3 were quite able to capture the magic of the original. As a result, it would be easy to say it's time to move on from Cars, yet this gradual boost in popularity shows that fans would still be open to more. Toy Story is still making an obscene amount of money in theaters despite the quality dipping, and while Cars isn't as big, the time away could help reignite interest. Additionally, the plot itself could really go anywhere, as we've seen Lightning as a rookie, a mentor, and part of an international spy operation. A pure, racing-focused film involving the protagonist having one last run could be compelling, but equally, another action thriller with a bit more balance could also be fun, especially if all the main cast were to return. Obviously, Cars 4 shouldn't just be greenlit for the sake of it, as a disappointing outing would harm the franchise permanently. However, even if the Pixar sequel didn't quite live up to the original, the desire for more Cars suggests a new movie would be worthwhile in time, but there's certainly no rush. It has been nice to see the studio focusing on fresh projects while sprinkling in a few sequels here and there, so while a fourth Cars film would undoubtedly be welcomed by many, it should only happen if and when the time is right. Release Date June 9, 2006 Runtime 117 minutes Director John Lasseter Cast Lightning McQueen (voice) Writers Joe Ranft, Jorgen Klubien, Dan Fogelman, Kiel Murray, John Lasseter, Phil Lorin Producers Darla K. Anderson