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The Polar Express (2004)

6.5
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Ratings: 6.5/10 from 68,535 users   Metascore: 61/100
Reviews: 412 user | 177 critic | 36 from Metacritic.com

On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home.

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(book), (screenplay), 1 more credit »
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Title: The Polar Express (2004)

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Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 14 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Sister Sarah / Mother
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Billy - Lonely Boy
Andy Pellick ...
Pastry Chef
Josh Eli ...
Waiter
Mark Mendonca ...
Waiter
Rolandas Hendricks ...
Waiter
Mark Goodman ...
Waiter
Jon Scott ...
Waiter
...
Waiter
Sean Scott ...
Waiter
Gordon Hart ...
Waiter
...
Smokey / Steamer
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Storyline

This is the story of a young hero boy on Christmas Eve who boards on a powerful magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home. What unfolds is an an adventure which follows a doubting boy, who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole; during this ride, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery which shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Written by Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com}

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Take the journey in IMAX 3D See more »


Certificate:

TV-PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

| |  »

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

10 November 2004 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience  »

Box Office

Budget:

$165,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$28,995 (Hong Kong) (17 December 2004)

Gross:

$665,426 (USA) (28 December 2012)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| | |

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film used 3D motion capture techniques to digitally record the physical performances of the actors before "skinning" them with their animated forms. All the children's roles were acted by adults using oversized props to get the movement right. See more »

Goofs

When Hero Boy jumps into the car with coal and then gets out of it, the coal doesn't leave any marks or stains on his body or clothes. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Hero Boy: On Christmas Eve many years ago I laid quietly in my bed. I did not rustle the sheets, I breathed slowly and silently. I was listening for a sound I was afraid I'd never hear: the sound of Santa's sleigh bells.
See more »

Crazy Credits

The production company credits are covered with snow and ice. See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Nostalgia Critic: North (2009) See more »

Soundtracks

"Rockin' on Top of the World"
Written and Produced by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri
Performed by Steven Tyler
Steven Tyler appears courtesy of Columbia Records
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

This is one of the best animation features ever!
11 December 2004 | by (Arcadia, Oklahoma, USA) – See all my reviews

The Polar Express delivered me all the way back to childhood and my own faith in Santa Claus at the age of five. I could not only hear the bells, I could see his sleigh in the night sky. Chris Van Allsburg is to be commended for writing an excellent fantasy and Tom Hanks for conducting the wonder tour to beat them all. The special effects are just outstanding, the story line credible and heartwarming. The characters are believable and utterly charming. The children depicted are our own. I would recommend this film to any and all who love Christmas and remember what it is to believe. The experience of watching makes you a participant, breathless to see what comes next. I can hardly wait to view it on IMAX and am taking my entire family, including seven grandchildren to the Tulsa Cinemark this season. Let's hope we see more of this quality venue in months and years to come.


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Should be called The Polar Local freeman-11
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