Disney/Pixar's "Cars 2" Ranks #1 at the Domestic Box Office Among This Year's Animated Titles

BURBANK, Calif., Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Walt Disney Studios announced today that the Disney/Pixar animated feature film "Cars 2," which opened on June 24, 2011, has earned $189 million domestically, ranking first among this year's animated features. The film has earned $548 million to date at the domestic and international box office, making it the 16th highest-grossing animated film in global cinematic history.

Additionally, on September 7, The Hollywood Post Alliance nominated "Cars 2" in two categories:  Outstanding Editing-Feature Film (Stephen Schaffer, A.C.E./ Pixar Animation Studios) and Outstanding Sound-Feature Film (Tom Myers, Michael Semanick and Michael Silvers/Skywalker Sound).

"This is the real fast and furious," said Rolling Stone magazine's Peter Travers in his June 23, 2011, review. "And it's even better than before. The sequel is a tire-burning burst of action and fun with a beating heart under its hood. You can bet 'Cars 2' will rev your engines."

John Lasseter directed "Cars 2," a follow-up to his 2006 two-time Oscar®-nominated and Golden Globe®-winning "Cars." "Cars 2" is co-directed by Brad Lewis, producer of the Oscar®-winning film "Ratatouille," and produced by Denise Ream (associate producer, "Up").

A culturally diverse, comedic spy-thriller set in cities around the world, including Paris, London and Toyko, "Cars 2" has surpassed the worldwide box-office totals of other Disney/Pixar hits such as "Monsters, Inc." and "WALL-E."

"Cars 2" is the 12th feature-length animated film from Pixar Animation Studios (its first 11 have earned $6.5 billion at the global box office). Pixar, winner of 29 Academy Awards® and seven Golden Globes®, celebrated its 25th anniversary last month.

An all-star cast voiced "Cars 2," including Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, John Turturro, Bonnie Hunt, Tony Shalhoub, Cheech Marin, Jason Isaacs, and Joe Mantegna.

ABOUT THE MOVIE

Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and his best friend, the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy), jump start a new adventure to exotic lands stretching across the globe in "Cars 2." The duo are joined by a hometown pit crew from Radiator Springs when they head overseas for the first-ever World Grand Prix, a race to determine the world's fastest car.  But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and bombshells when Mater is mistakenly ensnared in an intriguing escapade of his own: international espionage.  Mater finds himself torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret mission orchestrated by master British super spy Finn McMissile (voice of Michael Caine) and the stunning rookie field spy Holley Shiftwell (voice of Emily Mortimer).  Mater's action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan, Italy, France and England, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. The fast-paced fun includes a colorful new cast of cars, boats, trains and airplanes— complete with menacing villains and international racing competitors.

John Lasseter returned to the driver's seat to direct this follow-up to his 2006 Golden Globe®-winning "Cars." "Cars 2" is co-directed by Brad Lewis, producer of the Oscar®-winning film "Ratatouille," and produced by visual effects industry veteran Denise Ream (associate producer, "Up"; visual effects executive producer, "Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith").  The film hit the track on June 24, 2011, and was be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D in select theaters.

SOURCE Walt Disney Studios