My son loves this movie. I like it because it's one of the few films without a menacing villain so it doesn't leave him scared. I also appreciate its message of respecting that which came before you and not overlooking the hidden treasures of life. I'm a little concerned by how exclusively interested he's become in only these characters. I'm looking to find another film to share with him. The first ten minutes of Nemo are terrifying and the separation from father also troubles him. Does Bug's Life have some scariness?
Cars
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Pixar comedy is full of four-wheeled fun.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 5 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Cars was written by Cynthia Fuchs
Parents need to know that the car characters do some pretty raucous racing, careening off walls, trees, and each other. A group of The Fast and the Furious-style vehicles briefly threaten another car. Cars argue with one another, lose their tempers, and look sad or lonely. There's some innocent flirtation between boy and girl cars. Some mild language -- at least one use of "hell." At 116 minutes, it's on the long side for animation and may be too much for some really little kids. But stick around for the closing credits!
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the relationship between the old cars and the newer ones. They have different values. How does the film set up a choice between the current era (selfishness, commercial and celebrity culture run rampant) and a more ethical-seeming past (Doc embodies patience, skill, and dedication to community)? How does Lightning learn to appreciate and also, conveniently, enhance that simpler life?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Cars
What’s the Story?
As his name suggests, Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) is all about speed. A hotshot red stock car who's poised to be the next champion -- Lightning wants to win the coveted Piston Cup. As the movie begins, he hits the track in a race against two legendary race cars. A dead-heat finale sends these three key contenders off to a showdown. Lightning boards his transport truck Mack (John Ratzenberger) and aims west along Route 66, but he's sidetracked when he falls off the truck in a small town where he meets his life teachers, including Sarge the reveille-playing, surplus-selling Jeep (Paul Dooley), Ramone the hyper-detailed lowrider (Cheech Marin), and new best friend, Mater the tow truck (Larry the Cable Guy) provides the requisite proud-to-be-a-redneck jokes. Sentenced to community service, Lightning tries to escape but eventually gives in. Lightning grumbles on the night shift, but by day, he discovers the beauty of the western landscape, all big skies and grand canyons, the sort of mythic imagery that, according to the movie's nostalgia, families once drove across country to consume.
Is It Any Good?
Colorful and often charming, CARS renders its nostalgia for a mythic past via state-of-the-art technologies. But once Lightning settles into the small town, the door opens for marketing opportunities. The film reframes many youthful fancies as consumable objects, ensuring that movie and NASCAR tie-in products will be in circulation.
Movie Details
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures, Directors: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft
Run time: 116 minutes
Theatrical release: 06/09/2006, DVD release: 11/07/2006
MPAA Rating: G for all audiences
Run time: 116 minutes
Theatrical release: 06/09/2006, DVD release: 11/07/2006
MPAA Rating: G for all audiences
Our Members Say
See all 155 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Fun film with positive themes
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I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Its a winner :)
This movie is very popular in my house. Unfortunately it was one I didn't get to pre-screen before my son viewed it - but given the chance, I would still likely let him watch it. I don't like some of the scarier moments and there is some language (Hillbilly Hell etc) that I could live without - but overall the movie has a great message about friendship and playing fair/being a good person. In reply to " I'mjustamom"s review - the car at the end of the movie says "For the love of CHRYSLER!" - another clever play on words from the movie (believe me...I've probably seen it about 200 times now). So its not quite as offensive.
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I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Perfect movie for little boys
My little bro loves this movie.And I like too
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I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
well then!
weaker than the other Pixar movies, but still excellent. a couple of odd statements that may cause parents to jump such as "she just likes me for my body" but a good movie and has this one part where... well, we'll just say where it's just amazing. :D watch it.
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I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
IAt the very, very end of the credits, Mini and Van are lost in the desert and Mini says "For the love of christ can we ask for directions?" On top of the other inappropriate language for kids, this one really upset me.
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I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
babes
not to hurt any one here but i think there was NOTHING really wrois filmng with th
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I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
- My highlights are:
Really Good For Everyone in the Family!
This was one of the VERY few movies everyone (my mom, dad, sister, and myself) went to see in the theater, and it was VERY good. It appealed to everyone in my family, including my then 4 year old male cousin who went and saw it three times after us! My sister (then 5) and myself also enjoyed it. It was overall a very good film with a good message. Watch it!
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Great movie for all ages.
This is one of the few animated movies we have come across that has almost no scary moments. There is a scene where two cars are chased through a field by an angry piece of farm equipment (made to look like a bull) and that's pretty much it. Well loved by my child and her cousins.
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I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
My 3yr old's favorite movie!
Great movie for parents and kids. My 3 year old loves it and it is much less scary than Nemo to her. The car races are load with crashes which would be only thing to watch out for.
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I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Love it! very good, tells positive messages, love the characters, humor that all ages can laugh at! very good, Highly reccomended
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I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Love it! very good, tells positive messages, love the characters, humor that all ages can laugh at! very good, Highly reccomended
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I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Love it! very good, tells positive messages, love the characters, humor that all ages can laugh at! very good, Highly reccomended
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
My son's favorite movie, of course, by also my GIRLS' FAVORITE
Only iffy words I heard were "stupid" and "moron". Depends on your rules. Some homes may accept their children using these words, but some children aren't allowed to say them, much less call someone by one of these names. We choose to address the issue if they begin to use the words, because it is a GREAT MOVIE.
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
My least favourite pixar movie, it was a chore to sit though this one. Why so popular? It's about talking cars for crying out loud! How can you care for those types of characters?! Can't believe they're making a sequel.
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I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
- My highlights are:
loved it!
a funny movie every kid will love.
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I rate this title iffy for age 4 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
Says The Word Hell In It And A O.K. Very Little Kids
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I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Great for ages 3 and UP!
This is the only movie we let our son watch because it is the only one we have found that isn't violent AND no parents die. The messages about friendship and working together are great.
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I rate this title off for age 4 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Negative role models
OK for older ones, not for lttle ones.
A bit too old for little ones. Some sexual undertones in the messages. Some stuff goes right over the head of my 4 year old.
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Great Movie!
I love this moveie. It may be called a movie for little kids, but I would watch it again any day.
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I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
Great movie
This is one of my daughter's favorite movies. The main character learns that thinking only of himself makes for a lonely life and working with and thinking of others helps build strong communities. The movie is fun to watch for kids and for grown-ups. My only objection is a couple of times they say idiot, otherwise it's a great film.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 43% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 38% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
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