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The Polar Express (2004)

6.5
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Ratings: 6.5/10 from 69,799 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)

The Polar Express (2004) on IMDb 6.5/10

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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
Edit

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

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

In the beginning of the movie, Hero Boy looks at a picture of himself on a store Santa's lap. The store's name on the photo is Herpolsheimer's, an old department store in Grand Rapids, Chris Van Allsburg's hometown. Later the train passes by the store. See more »

Goofs

When the main boy looks in the window at the North Pole and sees the record playing the Christmas song, it shows it to be a 45 rpm record. They were not invented at the time period of this move. 78 rpm was the standard wax record. 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

At the very end, it reads "In Dedication to Michael Jeter" with a picture. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Community: Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas (2010) See more »

Soundtracks

"The Polar Express"
Written and Produced by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri
Performed by Marissa Blanchard, Darian Bryant, Riley Fansler, Cody Klop, and Aria Wallace
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

For Goodness Sake
29 November 2004 | by (Washington DC) – See all my reviews

Clearly the reviewers who panned this wonderful film can no longer hear the ringing of the silver bell. I am reminded of the know it all kid in the film when I read these reviews. Some said it was too dark. Too dark? It was set at 5 minuets to midnight.....As I recall its dark then. Another called it ghostly; a condition true of a Christmas Carol, the film is in good company there. While I will admit that the computer motion capture in facial expressions is not as strong as it could be it did not detract from the story. Some reviewers did not like the roller-coaster effects. One even pointed out that trains can not do what this one does.....It's a dream...physics don't count. It is a sad commentary that the meaning of Christmas and belief in it's historically documented magic is so lost on those with access to the press. My review...it's good and it is best if you make up your own mind. I could hear the bell ring and I hope you can too.


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