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The Polar Express

Play trailer 2:22 Poster for The Polar Express G 2004 1h 40m Kids & Family Holiday Fantasy Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
55% Tomatometer 208 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
When a doubting young boy takes a train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
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The Polar Express

The Polar Express

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Critics Consensus

Though the movie is visually stunning overall, the animation for the human characters isn't lifelike enough, and the story is padded.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Bradshaw Guardian Dec 4, 2014
3/5
The schmaltz content gets higher and higher, as if administered through a drip feed, until by the end we are drowning in sucrose. Go to Full Review David Germain Associated Press Dec 9, 2013
People in Hollywood should never work with children or animals, W.C. Fields once said. Maybe that should be expanded to hyper-realistic computer-generated children and reindeer, too. Go to Full Review Keith Phipps AV Club Dec 9, 2013
As a spectacle, The Polar Express looks remarkable. As a film, however, it's the equivalent of an elaborately wrapped Christmas present containing a nice new pair of socks. Go to Full Review Alan French Sunshine State Cineplex Dec 15, 2024
3/10
It’s not hard to see why this movie [The Polar Express] was optioned, but it is frustrating to see the concept wasted on a thin, meandering plot meant as a morality play. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Feb 15, 2023
2/4
A “Harry Potter meets Scrooge” hodgepodge enacted on a plateau of plasticity. Go to Full Review Carson Timar ButteredPopcorn Aug 28, 2022
A-
While on paper everything about The Polar Express seems to point towards the feature being a disaster, the final product stays on the rails to become anything but. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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ingrid Fernandez Apr 3, 2026 This is my absolute favorite Christmas movie ever! I wish I could see it in 4Dx, 3D format at Regal. Now that would be AWESOME! See more jesse v Dec 28, 2025 They spent too much money on Tom Hanks, the CG animation, the facial motion capture, and the music, but not a tighter script. Why hasn't this MOVIE GOTTEN A PSVR GAME??? See more Janet O Dec 17, 2025 Such a great classic with 4d experience. Me and my sisters had a great time. Trigger warning if any have seizures, epilepsy or any light flashing sensitivity. See more Kimberly R Dec 14, 2025 Always a great Holiday classic to watch. My adult daughter & I make it a tradition to go see this @ the theater. See more Ashley L Dec 8, 2025 It is such a cute movie & full of Christmas Magic!! See more Robert Dec 7, 2025 it's a Christmas classic from the first decade of the millennium. See more Read all reviews
The Polar Express

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Cast & Crew

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Robert Zemeckis

Director

Tom Hanks

Hero Boy

Michael Jeter

Smokey

Nona Gaye

Hero Girl

Peter Scolari

Lonely Boy

Eddie Deezen

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The Polar Express

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The Polar Express

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Movie Info

Synopsis When a doubting young boy takes a train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
Director
Robert Zemeckis
Producer
Gary Goetzman
Screenwriter
William Broyles Jr.
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures, Castle Rock
Production Co
Castle Rock Entertainment, Universal CGI, Playtone Productions, ImageMovers, Golden Mean, Warner Brothers
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Holiday, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 10, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 12, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$125.9M
Runtime
1h 40m
Sound Mix
Surround, DTS, Dolby SRD, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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