Movie · 2017 · Animation, Drama, Family · 1h 42m · G · English
Curator score: 3.2/10 (153.5K ratings)
From this moment, everything will change.
Overview
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.
Ratings
Curator score: 3.2/10
IMDb: 6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 70%
Metacritic: 59
TMDB: 6.9/10
Director
Brian Fee
Production
Pixar
Cast
Owen Wilson, Cristela Alonzo, Chris Cooper, Nathan Fillion, Larry the Cable Guy, Armie Hammer, Ray Magliozzi, Tony Shalhoub, Bonnie Hunt, Lea DeLaria, Kerry Washington, Bob Costas, Margo Martindale, Darrell Waltrip, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Bob Peterson, Guido Quaroni, Tom Magliozzi, John Ratzenberger, Kyle Petty
Where to watch
Disney Plus
Curator Review
Verdict
A surprisingly sincere, emotionally grounded sequel that turns a franchise about slapstick racing into a story about aging, legacy, and learning when to pass the torch. It’s visually polished, more character-driven than the second film, and gives the underdog arc real weight without losing the family-friendly momentum.
Best for
families looking for an accessible sports story
viewers who like underdog comebacks and mentorship arcs
fans of polished animation with strong visual design
kids and adults who respond to emotional, bittersweet sequels
Skip if
you want nonstop comedy and broad side-character antics
you dislike sports-movie formulas
you are looking for the first film’s novelty rather than a reflective follow-up
you prefer animation that stays purely light and playful
Overview
Cars 3 is the rare franchise sequel that slows down enough to mean something. Instead of chasing bigger jokes or louder set pieces, it leans into a classic comeback narrative about decline, adaptation, and the fear of being replaced. That gives Lightning McQueen’s journey a genuine emotional edge, especially for viewers who grew up with the character and are now old enough to feel the sting of time passing.
Worth noting
The film also benefits from its visual confidence. The racing sequences are crisp and kinetic, but the biggest impression comes from the texture of the world itself: sunlit tracks, weathered garages, and the contrast between old-school experience and new-generation speed. Cruz Ramirez is a strong addition, bringing energy and purpose to a story that needs more than nostalgia to work.
Bottom line
It isn’t perfect, and some of the franchise’s broader comic energy is dialed back in ways that may disappoint younger viewers expecting pure chaos. But as a family film with real emotional stakes, it lands better than most people expect. It’s a sequel with a point of view, and that alone makes it worth a look.
Top Letterboxd reviews
adambolt (3.5★) · 3057 likes
*through tears* ka...kachow...
Georgia Coley (3★) · 2521 likes
things I never thought I'd see in a Cars movie:- a mid-life crisis- car versions of redneck Trump supporters- legal debates about sponsored brands- the car version of being completely dismembered and crippled- a country bar and nightclub- gorgeous animation and vistas- a complete lack of Mater and references to the 2nd movie
hold up tHIS WAS ACTUALLY PRETTY GOOD WAIT WHAT
Karsten (2★) · 2288 likes
Lavender Lamborghini, roll up in a blue bikini
Lucy (3★) · 1400 likes
"but why they have eyes?" -my 3 year old niece
Hannah (3.5★) · 1133 likes
a kid my age just won a gold medal at the olympics... and i’m watching cars 3 for the second time this week
2019 · Drama, Action, History · 2h 33m · PG-13 · Curator 8.4/10 (1.5M ratings) · Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
A racing film with strong craftsmanship, competitive intensity, and a deep respect for experience and innovation.