The Polar Express poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Tom Hanks, Michael Jeter, Nona Gaye, Peter Scolari, Charles Fleischer ... see more see more... , Steven Tyler , Leslie Zemeckis , Daryl Sabara , André Sogliuzzo , Jimmy Bennett , Isabella Peregrina , Debbie Lee Carrington , Eddie Deezen , Phil Fondacaro , Ed Gale , Julene Renee , Jon Scott Rafeld , Connor Matheus , Aaron Hendry , Ashly Holloway , Jimmy 'Jax' Pinchak , Evan Sabara , Josh Hutcherson , Hayden McFarland , Chantel Valdivieso , Mark Povinelli , Brendan King , Andy Pellick , Josh Eli , Mark Mendonca , Rolandas Hendricks , Mark Goodman , Gregory Gast , Sean Scott , Gordon Hart , Dante Pastula , Eric Newton , Aidan O'Shea , Kevin C. Carr , Bee Jay Joyer , Jena Carpenter , Karine Mauffrey , Beth Carpenter , Bill Forchion , Devin Henderson , Sagiv Ben-Binyamin , Chris Coppola , Christopher Coppola , Andrew Ableson , Leslie Harter Zemeckis

Directed by Robert Zemeckis and based on children's author Chris Van Allsburg's modern holiday classic of the same name, The Polar Express revolves around Billy (Hayden McFarland), who longs to believ... read more read more...e in Santa Claus but finds it quite difficult to do so, what with his family's dogged insistence that all of it, from the North Pole, to the elves, to the man himself, is all just a myth. This all changes, however, on Christmas Eve, when a mysterious train visits Billy in the middle of the night, promising to take him and a group of other lucky children to the North Pole for a visit with Santa. The train's conductor (Tom Hanks) along with the other passengers help turn Billy's crisis in faith into a journey of self-discovery. A long-time fan of Van Allsburg's book, Hanks also helped produce the film. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Flixster Users

65% liked it

213,841 ratings

Critics

56% liked it

187 critics

G, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis

Release Date: November 10, 2004

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: November 22, 2005

Get It:

Stats: 9,698 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

The Polar Express (2004) Josh Hutcherson as Additional child performer - Hero Boy in The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004) Jimmy Bennett as Voice performer - Lonely Boy (voice) in The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004)
Upload a Photo | View All The Polar Express Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (9,698)

  • aquateen2
    February 8, 2012
    aquateen2
    The Polar Express is unlike modern christmas films like Elf and Home Alone. It is a truly heartwarming piece of christmas magic. The only place this film falls is the animation that didn't look lifelike enough but other than that it is a tribute to the classic christmas films th... read moreat really felt like a piece of the season. There is extremely deep development into these excited christmas children. I must object to the people who say The Polar Express is "unrealistic" because the children characters have their own developed personality in the film and all of them are much much like kids in reality all year round. Wouldn't you agree? As you may know, Tom Hanks does a lot of voice roles in this but it's as if he's only there playing the steam train's conductor with his normal voice that is easily recognisable anyway. Thats good voice acting talent there. The Polar Express is wild, fun, spooky and down to earth charming christmas entertainment.
  • blkbomb
    December 25, 2011
    blkbomb
    Santa Claus: This bell is a wonderful symbol of the spirit of Christmas - as am I. Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart. 

    "Journey Beyond Your Imagination"

    I've seen The Polar Express many times now, but I never noticed before this Christmas's viewing,... read more just how much of a distaste I have for each of the four children. Each is annoying in their own little way. The boy who is on the brink of not believing in Santa Clause has an extremely annoying voice and makes dumb decisions. Billy, the little kid that Christmas has never worked out for is so bitchy, but in a quiet way that makes it even more annoying. The girl is so cheery and arrogant, you just know when she grows up, she is going to where the pants in her relationships. Then there's the know it all, who speaks for himself... literally.

    Despite my extreme distaste for all of these characters, I still enjoy the ride. Zemeckis shows off his excellent animation in rather pointless scenes where we ride a train roller coaster, slide across ice, and fly in Santa's bag of toys. All of it isn't really necessary, but it makes the movie really enjoyable. It is so much fun to look at. Zemeckis would go on to use these big, rather pointless chases in A Christmas Carol as well.

    The story is of a train called The Polar Express that takes children to the North Pole on Christmas. The main character, a nameless young boy, is reaching the age where commonsense kicks in and the reality if Christmas finally begins to kick in. On the train he meets a conductor and a hobo who give him a new understanding of what believing really is. The ride to the North Pole is amazing. When they actually get to the North Pole, the film declines slightly, but still manages to be enjoyable.

    This is going to be a timeless holiday classic. It will be one of those Christmas films that people four generations from now will be introducing to their kids. It is a great family Christmas film that may even extend the life of Santa Clause in your kids eyes. 
  • SirPant
    December 5, 2011
    SirPant
    The animation looks like one of those dodgy chapter breaks in old computer games and just when you think you're going to hear something important, a life lesson or some good advice, the train turns into a roller coaster. Live-action animation? Isn't that an oxymoron? It doesn't l... read moreook good either way. If all I got for Christmas was a false scenes of achievement I'd ask for my money back, I'd rather have a new bike thanks. Ba humbug to it, especially as I suspect it was written as more of a piece of Christian propaganda, luring children into a ridiculous concept of blind faith. You don't believe in Santa? Get on the train!!! - That's what the Nazis did man! I don't know who is more ridiculous, Santa or God? I wonder who would win in a fight? Anyway, am I a miserable sod? Yes, yes I am, but I bet I'm disappointed fewer times in my life than most people! Merry Christmas everyone!
  • DreamExtractor
    December 4, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    A genius christmas film that will be a classic for many decades, a wonderful movie, one of my favorite childhood films.
  • spielberg00
    September 17, 2011
    spielberg00
    The children's picture book by the author of JUMANJI and ZATHURA was imaginative. This Robert Zemeckis/Tom Hanks (who also worked together for FORREST GUMP) collaborative movie version made a good and fun attempt, but overall, it failed.
  • murphmann93
    June 24, 2011
    murphmann93
    A really cute and feel good Christmas film!
  • ythelastman89
    May 3, 2011
    ythelastman89
    Chris Van Allsburg's The Polar Express was my favorite Christmas book growing up and this is pretty much the greatest way you could honor it. Somehow, Robert Zemeckis managed to expand a small story into something that is both visually beautiful and an exremely emotional journey.... read more With Tom Hanks playing next to six characters, the voice talent arena was basically taken care of. Then, all of the concepts and beautiful images from the book are made even better. While i'm sure this movie means nothing to some people, it was pure nostalgic gold for me.
  • theylovealexis
    January 9, 2011
    theylovealexis
    The story of a boy who boards a train to meet the big guy, Santa, himself. He's caught between believing and not. It's such an adventure of excitement and merriment. It's sure to be a holiday classic.
    I love Tom Hanks.
  • briandeguelle
    December 11, 2010
    briandeguelle
    Great Christmas family movie fun for all.Great animation even after 6 years.Looks as good as today computer animation films...Give it a go.
  • movieguru12
    December 9, 2010
    movieguru12
    Excellent Excellent Movie!!!!!!!!! I love it :)

View All The Polar Express Reviews

Critic Reviews

Logan Hill
January 16, 2005
Logan Hill, New York Magazine

Strap yourself in and try not to vomit, because this is more of a theme-park event than a movie -- Pirates of the Caribbean in reverse, a wild ride stripped of its story, down to a rattling series of ... Full Review

Peter Travers
December 10, 2004
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

A failed and lifeless experiment in which everything goes wrong.

Desson Thomson
November 12, 2004
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

A truly satisfying holiday picture, the kind everyone can enjoy, and which may even restore a little lost childhood in many adult viewers. Full Review

Rex Reed
November 11, 2004
Rex Reed, New York Observer

Without a trace of real live people, you get special effects that are not special, visual talking points without personality, virtual reality that is anything but real. Full Review

Michael Wilmington
November 11, 2004
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

Faithful to its source but stretches it to the snapping point. Full Review

Jennifer Frey
November 10, 2004
Jennifer Frey, Washington Post

Not only do Van Allsburg's darkly magical illustrations come to glorious life in the film; so, too, do his familiar words. Full Review

Claudia Puig
November 10, 2004
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Simple and evocative, yet teeming with intriguing visual effects. Full Review

Geoff Pevere
November 10, 2004
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

If I were a kid, I'd have nightmares. Come to think of it, I did anyway. Full Review

Bruce Newman
November 10, 2004
Bruce Newman, San Jose Mercury News

Barrels across the trackless landscape of our affections, arriving where no one would have thought to look for a big-budget Hollywood movie: in the terrain of the heart.

Mick LaSalle
November 10, 2004
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

An enchanting, beautiful and brilliantly imagined film that constitutes a technological breakthrough. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Disney's A Christmas Carol
    Disney's A Christmas Carol (86%)
  • The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience
    The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience (91%)
  • Miracle on 34th Street
    Miracle on 34th Street (83%)
  • This Girl's Life
    This Girl's Life (17%)

More Movies like The Polar Express

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Hero Boy: At one time most of my friends could hear the bell. But as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found, one Christmas, that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me... as it does for all who truly believe.
    • Conductor: One thing about trains: It doesn't matter where they're goin'. What matters is deciding to get on.
    • Santa Claus: This bell is a wonderful symbol of the spirit of Christmas, as am I. Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.
Submit a Fact | View All

The Polar Express : Watch Free on TV

The Polar Express Trivia

  • What Actor Voiced Multiple Roles in the Polar Express???  Answer »
  • Which film includes a train and the North Pole?  Answer »
  • This Fabuous Christmas CG Fairy Tale takes a young boy who does'nt believe in Santa on a journey to the North Pole. Name the movie?  Answer »
  • 'The Polar Express' is what type of movie?  Answer »
More The Polar Express Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All The Polar Express Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add The Polar Express to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View The Polar Express News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

singy15 Skin by singy15
445 Profiles
Add to Profile

More Skins