CARS 3
An uplifting, funny racing comeback about encouraging others.
Should You Watch It?
Yes. CARS 3 is a fun, entertaining, adorable family movie with excellent production, top-notch animation and special effects, heartfelt moments, and plenty of laughs. Its strongest quality is its moral message: people should support one another, work together, admit when they have been mean, and seek forgiveness.
The movie does include a serious car crash with fire, and very little children may find some of the crashes frightening. That concern is real but limited, especially within a story that offers strong moral and redemptive lessons.
If you want an enjoyable movie night with positive messages for the whole family, take the trip to Radiator Springs.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESLightning McQueen is used to being the top racer, but a younger, faster, more aggressive car named Jackson Storm begins beating him. As McQueen struggles with the possibility that he may be too old to race, his friends in Radiator Springs help him regain his confidence.
He travels to Florida to train in a new, highly technological racing world, where he meets Cruz Ramirez, a big fan who hopes to help him become a better racer. McQueen must learn how to work with others while making his comeback.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means CARS 3 is an especially enjoyable family film. It is well produced, with top-notch animation and special effects. Some landscape scenes even look like actual landscapes.
The movie also balances its racing story with heartfelt, poignant moments and plenty of laughs. Its entertainment value is strengthened by its positive moral lessons about helping others succeed and learning to work together.
The Worldview
CARS 3 presents a strong moral worldview with redemptive elements. Its main characters must learn to get along, support one another, and work together. Lightning McQueen has a supportive community, but he also must learn to support others, admit when he has been mean, and seek forgiveness.
The film’s central message is that people should help one another accomplish their dreams rather than measure everything by personal success. That message reflects the biblical instruction, “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong moral worldview with some redemptive elements includes character learns how to support others and how to apologize and seek forgiveness; no foul language or profanities; car crash with fire, one car is trying to run over the other cars; no sexual content; no nudity, characters go to a ‘oil bar’; no smoking nor drug use; and, one character suggests another character meditate, but it’s more of a joke than a serious suggestion.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Lightning McQueen has to learn how to support others, not just pursue his own success. How can you encourage someone else this week?
1 Thessalonians 5:11 · Philippians 2:3–4McQueen must admit when he has been mean and seek forgiveness. Why can apologizing be difficult, and what makes an apology sincere?
Matthew 5:23–24 · James 5:16The characters learn that working together matters. What gifts or strengths can each person in your family use to serve others?
Romans 12:4–8 · 1 Peter 4:10McQueen becomes discouraged when he thinks he may be too old to race. What does Scripture say about finding courage and hope when you feel inadequate?
Isaiah 40:31 · 2 Corinthians 12:9The Final Word
CARS 3 offers your family laughs, beautiful animation, heartfelt moments, and a strong message about encouragement, teamwork, forgiveness, and helping others. A crash may frighten very young children, but for most families, this is WORTH THE TRIP.
