The beloved adventure film featuring Michael Keaton is making a comeback in movie theaters after a hiatus of twenty years.
Keaton initially captured the hearts of moviegoers with his humorous performances in Night Shift (1982), Mr. Mom (1983), and Beetlejuice (1988). He later achieved international fame portraying the iconic superhero in Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992). Throughout his career, Keaton has shown his versatility in a variety of roles, featuring in films such as Clean and Sober (1988), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), The Paper (1994), Multiplicity (1996), Jackie Brown (1997), Jack Frost (1998), and Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005). Additionally, he has provided his voice to several popular animated films, including one that is soon re-entering theaters.
Two decades after its original release, Cars, the 2006 Pixar creation, is set to return to the big screen. This animated feature follows the aspiring racecar Lightning McQueen who finds himself in the quaint town of Radiator Springs on his way to a major race. It’s here that he builds unexpected bonds and learns valuable life lessons beyond the fame and glory of winning.
In celebration of its 20-year anniversary, Pixar has scheduled a theatrical re-release of Cars this coming September. A recent post stated, “20 years ago today, a detour to Radiator Springs taught us that the journey is as significant as the finish line.” Below is the complete post along with a video:
Owen Wilson stars as the voice of Lightning McQueen, with Michael Keaton voicing his rival Chick Hicks. The film also features voices from Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy, Cheech Marin, Tony Shalhoub, Michael Wallis, George Carlin, Paul Dooley, Jenifer Lewis, Richard Petty, Katherine Helmond, John Ratzenberger, Joe Ranft, Jeremy Piven, Bob Costas, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Richard Kind, and Jay Leno.
The film was well-received, earning a 74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised its entertaining nature, impressive animation, and charming characters, although noting its simple storyline. It also received an 80% score from audiences.
At the box office, Cars grossed $462 million worldwide on a budget of $120 million, ranking as the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2006, behind Night at the Museum ($574M), Casino Royale ($606M), Ice Age: The Meltdown ($660M), The Da Vinci Code ($760M), and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest ($1B).
The movie garnered two Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song (“Our Town” by Randy Newman) and Best Animated Feature, though it lost the latter to Happy Feet. The success of Cars spawned two sequels, released in 2011 and 2017 respectively. Kevin Erdmann of ScreenRant recently discussed why Cars remains a beloved Pixar film two decades later:
Despite not being the most critically acclaimed Pixar movie, the popularity of Cars has grown over time. It conveys important messages about valuing the journey as much as the destination and suggests that success feels empty without loved ones to share it with. The story introduces a world populated by talking vehicles, offering a unique and simple narrative that resonates with audiences.
Cars is also available for streaming on Disney+.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
