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Cars 3
2017 102 min United States of America G 6+
★6.9
Animation, Drama, Family
Director: Brian Fee
Trailers
EN
EN
Teaser
Description
Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician with her own plan to win, inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet, and a few unexpected turns.
Budget:
$175M
US Gross:
$152.9M
Worldwide:
$383.93M
Starring
Owen Wilson
Actor
Cristela Alonzo
Actor
Chris Cooper
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 2018
— Best Animated Feature
Key opinion
Cars 3 is widely regarded as a successful return to form that shifts the franchise toward a more mature, character-driven sports drama. While some critics point to narrative predictability, most praise its emotional exploration of aging, legacy, and the transition from champion to mentor.
| Originality | The film successfully pivots from the action-heavy, spy-themed tone of the second installment back to the heartfelt, character-focused roots of the original. | |
| Production | Technically polished visuals and meticulously rendered environments elevate the racing sequences to a stunning cinematic standard. | |
| Theme | The narrative effectively grounds the stakes in themes of midlife crisis and intergenerational change, resonating deeply with adult viewers who grew up with the series. | |
| Acting | The shift in focus toward Lightning McQueen's evolution and his relationship with Cruz Ramirez provides a strong emotional anchor for the film. | |
| Ending | The ending remains divisive; some find it a poignant and non-cliché resolution to McQueen’s arc, while others feel it is forced or leaves the story awkwardly unresolved. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the script are split; some appreciate the narrative’s simple, focused emotional resonance, while others find the plot trajectory too predictable and repetitive. |