The Polar Express

56%

Tomatometer

210 Reviews

64%

Audience Score

100,000+ Ratings

Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis ("Forrest Gump"; "Cast Away") reunite for "Polar Express," an inspiring adventure based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary 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

What to Know

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

The schmaltz content gets higher and higher, as if administered through a drip feed, until by the end we are drowning in sucrose.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 4, 2014

Full Review

David Germain

Associated Press

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.

Dec 9, 2013

Full Review

Keith Phipps

AV Club

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.

Dec 9, 2013

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A “Harry Potter meets Scrooge” hodgepodge enacted on a plateau of plasticity.

Rated: 2/4

Feb 15, 2023

Full Review

Carson Timar

ButteredPopcorn

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.

Rated: A-

Aug 28, 2022

Full Review

Ruhaan Shah

Film Companion

Director Robert Zemeckis adds tenderness to this roller-coaster ride of a train, the thrill and adrenaline are constantly offset with unrestrained emotional punches.

May 26, 2020

Full Review

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Audience Reviews

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Andrew Absolutely love this movie! 11/10 Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/22/23 Full Review Cesar A must see movie !! MAGICAL!!!😊 Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/19/23 Full Review Jill Beautiful movie and great on big screen Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/17/23 Full Review Helene So, I took two kids, under five, they got scared, had to leave movie. Rated 2/5 Stars • Rated 2 out of 5 stars 12/12/23 Full Review Rebecca Always a great Christmas movie no matter your age. This came out when my daughter was 2, she is now 21 and being able to see it at the theater together this year was a treat! So glad they screened it at our favorite theater Look Cinemas. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/10/23 Full Review Jennifer It was a great family activity. It was the first time seeing it on the big screen. It was great. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/03/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Polar Express

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Cast & Crew

Robert Zemeckis Director Tom Hanks Hero Boy Michael Jeter Smokey Nona Gaye Hero Girl Peter Scolari Lonely Boy Eddie Deezen Know It All

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The Polar Express

The Polar Express: Trailer 1

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Movie Info

Synopsis Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis ("Forrest Gump"; "Cast Away") reunite for "Polar Express," an inspiring adventure based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary 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, Tom Hanks, Jack Rapke
Screenwriter: Robert Zemeckis, William Broyles Jr.
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures, Castle Rock
Production Co: Universal CGI, Playtone Productions, ImageMovers, Warner Brothers, Castle Rock Entertainment, Golden Mean
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)