It feels like forever ago. But honestly, if you’re trying to remember when did the movie cars 3 come out, the answer is June 16, 2017. That summer was a weird one for movies. Wonder Woman was dominating the box office, and Despicable Me 3 was lurking just around the corner. Pixar needed a win. They’d had a bit of a rocky road with Cars 2, which—let’s be real—was basically a spy movie that happened to have talking tires. It didn't feel like "Cars." So, when the third installment finally hit theaters in the United States, it wasn't just another sequel. It was an attempt to save the soul of a franchise.
Lighting McQueen was getting old. That was the whole pitch.
The world premiere actually happened a bit earlier than the wide release, taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center on June 10, 2017. If you were in the UK, you had to wait until July 14. This staggered rollout is pretty standard for Disney, but for kids staring at the calendar, it felt like an eternity.
The High Stakes of the June 2017 Release
Why does the specific timing of when did the movie cars 3 come out actually matter? Context is everything. In 2017, Pixar was in a transitional phase. They were moving away from the "sequel-heavy" era that some critics argued was diluting their brand. Director Brian Fee, who had been a storyboard artist on the first two films, took the helm. He wanted to go back to the dirt tracks and the heart of the original 2006 film.
The movie cost roughly $175 million to produce. That is a massive chunk of change. When it opened in mid-June, it pulled in about $53.7 million in its debut weekend. It knocked Wonder Woman off the top spot, which was no small feat. But compared to Finding Dory or Toy Story 3, the numbers were a bit more "steady" than "explosive."
People were skeptical. The teaser trailer had shown a horrific crash involving #95. It was dark. It was gritty. Parents were actually worried it might be too intense for toddlers. You remember that trailer? The one with the slow-motion debris and the heartbeat sound effect? It was a bold marketing move for a movie meant to sell pajamas and lunchboxes.
🔗 Read more: Blink-182 Mark Hoppus: What Most People Get Wrong About His 2026 Comeback
Comparing the Timeline: A Decade of Racing
To understand the 2017 release, you have to look at the gaps.
The original Cars arrived in 2006.
Cars 2 followed in 2011.
Then, we waited six years.
That six-year gap between the second and third films is significant. In the world of animation, six years is a lifetime. Technology changes. The kids who saw the first movie in 2006 were literally adults by the time the third one arrived. Pixar knew this. They weren't just writing for six-year-olds anymore; they were writing for the nostalgia of the people who grew up with the Hudson Hornet.
The movie deals with themes of obsolescence. Lightning McQueen is being replaced by Jackson Storm, a high-tech racer who uses simulators instead of real tracks. It’s meta. Pixar was essentially acknowledging that the world of animation and the world of racing had both moved on.
The Voice Cast and Production Secrets
The production wasn't just about slapping some CGI on a screen. They brought back the late Paul Newman using unused recordings from the first film. It was emotional. It gave the June 2017 release a weight that the 2011 sequel lacked.
💡 You might also like: Why Grand Funk’s Bad Time is Secretly the Best Pop Song of the 1970s
Owen Wilson returned, obviously. But the addition of Cristela Alonzo as Cruz Ramirez changed the dynamic. She wasn't just a sidekick; she became the protagonist by the end. This shift was controversial for some hardcore "McQueen only" fans, but it’s what gave the movie its longevity.
- The Technical Leap: By 2017, Pixar's "RenderMan" software had evolved. The way light reflected off the car bodies in Cars 3 was lightyears ahead of the 2006 original.
- The Soundscape: If you watch it with a good soundbar, the roar of the V8 engines is actually recorded from real NASCAR vehicles. They didn't fake the audio.
- The Research: The crew visited historical tracks like North Wilkesboro Speedway to get the "ghost track" vibe right.
Why 2017 Was a Turning Point for Pixar
When we look back at when did the movie cars 3 come out, we see it as the end of an era. It was one of the last "traditional" sequels before Pixar pivoted toward original stories like Coco, Soul, and Luca. It proved that you could make a sequel that was actually better than the second film—a rare feat in Hollywood.
The movie ended up grossing about $383 million worldwide. Success? Yes. But interesting enough, the merchandise for Cars has generated over $10 billion since the franchise started. The release of a new movie is basically a massive commercial for the Die-cast cars that still line the aisles of every Target and Walmart. Even if the box office wasn't record-breaking, the cultural footprint was massive.
Critics were generally kind. It holds a 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is "Fresh," though not at the "90%+" heights Pixar usually hits. Most agreed it was a heartfelt apology for the chaotic nature of the second film. It dealt with retirement, mentorship, and the reality that eventually, we all have to step aside for the next generation.
Tracking the Home Media and Streaming Life
If you didn't see it in theaters in June 2017, you likely caught it on Digital HD in October of that year, or on Blu-ray/DVD in November. It was a massive seller for the holiday season. Nowadays, it lives on Disney+.
📖 Related: Why La Mera Mera Radio is Actually Dominating Local Airwaves Right Now
The transition to streaming has given Cars 3 a second life. It’s one of those movies that parents put on repeat. The pacing is slower than modern "frenetic" cartoons, which makes it weirdly soothing. Plus, the mentorship between Doc Hudson and Lightning is one of the most developed relationships in the Pixar library, even though Doc is technically only in the movie through flashbacks.
The Legacy of Jackson Storm and the New Generation
Jackson Storm, voiced by Armie Hammer, represented the "new" Pixar. Sleek, fast, and perhaps a bit cold. The rivalry between him and McQueen wasn't just about speed; it was about philosophy. Does heart beat data? In the end, the movie argues that data is great, but knowing why you race is better.
This message resonated. It’s why people still search for the release date and the history of the film. It isn't just a "car movie." It’s a movie about the anxiety of being replaced by an algorithm.
Key Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Piston Cup racing, here is how you should approach it:
- Watch in Order, but Skip if Needed: You can actually watch Cars 3 right after the original Cars and not miss a single beat. The second movie is its own weird thing.
- Look for the Easter Eggs: Since it came out in 2017, there are plenty of nods to Coco (which was the next movie) hidden in the background of some scenes.
- Check the Shorts: Pixar released a short called Miss Fritter’s Racing Skoool on the Blu-ray release that explains what happened to some of the demolition derby characters.
- Visit the Real Inspiration: If you're ever in North Carolina, visit the racing museums. The creators spent months there before the 2017 release to ensure the "history" of the sport felt authentic.
Knowing when did the movie cars 3 come out helps anchor where the franchise stands. It arrived at a moment when we needed a reminder that being "the best" isn't as important as being a good teacher. Lightning McQueen started as a selfish rookie and ended as a wise mentor. That’s a ten-year journey that wrapped up perfectly in the summer of 2017.
If you want to experience the film today, the best way is via 4K Ultra HD. The "Ray Tracing" on the car paint is genuinely stunning and shows off exactly what Pixar's tech was capable of at that specific point in time. It holds up remarkably well against even the newest releases of 2025 and 2026.
Check the special features on the digital version. There is a specific documentary about the history of African American racers in NASCAR that inspired the character of Wendell Scott (represented as River Scott in the film). It adds a layer of depth you wouldn't expect from a movie about talking vehicles. Go watch that first, then re-watch the race scenes. It changes everything.