Disney and Pixar's Cars is projected to earn about $6.5 million domestically from Friday through Sunday and $8 million through Labor Day, according to Deadline's Friday box-office estimate.
The three-day forecast would exceed the $3,447,613 opening of Toy Story's 2025 rerelease. Against Box Office Mojo's listed Pixar rereleases, that would put Cars on pace for the largest domestic rerelease opening of the 2020s. The weekend is still underway; these are projections, not final grosses.
Three Days and Four Days Measure Different Windows
The $6.5 million estimate covers September 4–6. The $8 million projection adds Monday, September 7, the Labor Day holiday. The comparison with Toy Story uses the three-day figure for both films.
Deadline's Friday report estimated a $2.3 million first day for Cars, including $600,000 in Thursday previews. That early estimate could change as distributors report additional ticket sales.
Cars Returns for Its 20th Anniversary
The original film returned to U.S. theaters September 4 for its 20th anniversary. Pixar's story follows Lightning McQueen as a detour on Route 66 brings him to Radiator Springs.
The anniversary engagement gives a film first released in 2006 a new theatrical run. Its opening-weekend total will remain an estimate until the weekend concludes and actual grosses are reported.
Sources: Deadline's original box-office reporting, Box Office Mojo's rerelease records, Cinemark's anniversary listing, Pixar, and Disney Video.