Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- breezy
- kinetic
- family movie night
- kids adventure viewing
What critics said
Critics found the colorful animation and energetic racing-spy premise entertaining but regarded the film as a comparatively weak and overextended Pixar entry.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mater becomes entangled with British spies Finn McMissile and Holley Shiftwell while they investigate a criminal plan.
The World Grand Prix provides the visible sporting framework while the spy investigation unfolds alongside it.
Mater is treated as a spy despite being an ordinary tow truck, and his misunderstood behavior drives the espionage storyline.
The film centers on anthropomorphic cars, global races, chase sequences, and brightly rendered action environments.
Films like Cars 2, and why
Cars
animated family adventure combining anthropomorphic vehicles, international travel, racing spectacle, and broad comedy
The Incredibles
family-friendly animated adventure with spy missions, comic sidekicks, and fast-paced action
Spies in Disguise
stylized animated spy adventure built around international intrigue, gadgets, and comedic character dynamics
Movie Details
- Director
- John Lasseter
- Release Date
- 2011-06-11
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (8724)
Cast
- Larry the Cable Guy
- Owen Wilson
- Michael Caine
- Emily Mortimer
- Suzy Eddie Izzard
- John Turturro
- Brent Musburger
- Joe Mantegna
- Thomas Kretschmann
- Peter Jacobson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Cars 2 about?
- A globe-trotting Pixar racing adventure turns an amiable tow truck into an accidental spy amid a conspiracy threatening the World Grand Prix.
- What is Cars 2 like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cars 2 as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Cars 2 violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Cars 2 as mild.
- What did critics think of Cars 2?
- Critics found the colorful animation and energetic racing-spy premise entertaining but regarded the film as a comparatively weak and overextended Pixar entry.
- Which films are like Cars 2?
- Films with a similar feel include Cars, The Incredibles, and Spies in Disguise.
- How long is Cars 2?
- Cars 2 runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cars 2?
- In United States, Cars 2 streams on Disney Plus.
