Cars

Cars is currently streaming in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Disney Plus, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. With 15,242 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Owen Wilson is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Available now on Disney Plus — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

There is a reason Cars keeps coming up in conversation. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Cars from the crowd. Lightning McQueen, a hotshot rookie race car driven to succeed, discovers that life is about the journey, not the finish line, when he finds himself unexpectedly detoured in the sleepy Route 66 town of Radiator Springs. On route across the country to the big Piston Cup Championship in California to compete against two seasoned pros, McQueen gets to know the town's offbeat characters. Owen Wilson and Paul Newman lead a cast with the timing to make it work. Cars came out in 2006. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Cars holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in Cars. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Owen Wilson's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.