Cars 2

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, Cars 2 is available in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Disney Plus right now. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. 8,551 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Watch it for Larry the Cable Guy — stay for everyone else around them. Put it on tonight on Disney Plus and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Cars 2 earns its spot. The jokes in Cars 2 land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Star race car Lightning McQueen and his pal Mater head overseas to compete in the World Grand Prix race. But the road to the championship becomes rocky as Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Larry the Cable Guy and Owen Wilson lead a cast that never overplays a joke. It was released in 2011. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Cars 2 holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Cars 2 is the kind of thing you put on in the background and end up fully watching. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Larry the Cable Guy sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.