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The Polar Express

  • 20042004
  • GG
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
202K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,860
75
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, and Josh Hutcherson in The Polar Express (2004)
A boy's fantastical train journey to the North Pole
Play trailer2:04
5 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Animation
  • Adventure
  • Comedy

On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.

IMDb RATING
6.6/10
202K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,860
75
  • Director
    • Robert Zemeckis
  • Writers
    • Chris Van Allsburg(book)
    • Robert Zemeckis(screenplay)
    • William Broyles Jr.(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Tom Hanks
    • Chris Coppola(voice)
    • Michael Jeter(voice)
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Zemeckis
  • Writers
    • Chris Van Allsburg(book)
    • Robert Zemeckis(screenplay)
    • William Broyles Jr.(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Tom Hanks
    • Chris Coppola(voice)
    • Michael Jeter(voice)
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 622User reviews
    • 166Critic reviews
    • 61Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 5 wins & 26 nominations total

    Videos5

    The Polar Express
    Trailer 2:04
    The Polar Express
    The Polar Express
    Trailer 1:10
    The Polar Express
    The Polar Express
    Trailer 0:32
    The Polar Express
    The Polar Express
    Trailer 0:32
    The Polar Express
    The Polar Express
    Trailer 2:16
    The Polar Express

    Photos125

    Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, and Josh Hutcherson in The Polar Express (2004)
    Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, and Josh Hutcherson in The Polar Express (2004)
    Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, and Josh Hutcherson in The Polar Express (2004)
    Tom Hanks in The Polar Express (2004)
    Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, and Josh Hutcherson in The Polar Express (2004)
    Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, and Josh Hutcherson in The Polar Express (2004)
    Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, and Josh Hutcherson in The Polar Express (2004)
    Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, and Josh Hutcherson in The Polar Express (2004)
    The Polar Express (2004)
    The Polar Express (2004)
    Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, and Josh Hutcherson in The Polar Express (2004)
    Tom Hanks in The Polar Express (2004)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tom Hanks
    Tom Hanks
    • Hero Boyas Hero Boy…
    Chris Coppola
    Chris Coppola
    • Toothless Boyas Toothless Boy
    • (voice)
    • …
    Michael Jeter
    Michael Jeter
    • Smokeyas Smokey
    • (voice)
    • …
    Leslie Zemeckis
    Leslie Zemeckis
    • Sister Sarahas Sister Sarah
    • (voice)
    • …
    Eddie Deezen
    Eddie Deezen
    • Know-It-Allas Know-It-All
    • (voice)
    Nona Gaye
    Nona Gaye
    • Hero Girlas Hero Girl
    • (voice)
    Peter Scolari
    Peter Scolari
    • Billy - Lonely Boyas Billy - Lonely Boy
    Brendan King
    • Pastry Chefas Pastry Chef
    • (voice)
    Andy Pellick
    • Pastry Chefas Pastry Chef
    • (voice)
    Josh Eli
    • Waiteras Waiter
    • (voice)
    Mark Mendonca
    • Waiteras Waiter
    • (voice)
    Rolondas Hendricks
    • Waiteras Waiter
    • (voice)
    • (as Rolandas Hendricks)
    Mark Goodman
    • Waiteras Waiter
    • (voice)
    Jon Scott
    • Waiteras Waiter
    • (voice)
    Gregory Gast
    Gregory Gast
    • Waiteras Waiter
    • (voice)
    Sean Scott
    • Waiteras Waiter
    • (voice)
    Gordon Hart
    Gordon Hart
    • Waiteras Waiter
    • (voice)
    Julene Renee
    Julene Renee
    • Red Head Girlas Red Head Girl
    • (voice)
    • …
    • Director
      • Robert Zemeckis
    • Writers
      • Chris Van Allsburg(book)
      • Robert Zemeckis(screenplay)
      • William Broyles Jr.(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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 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. —Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com}
    • santa claus character
    • christmas movie
    • male protagonist
    • based on children's book
    • train engineer
    • 135 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Journey Beyond Your Imagination
    • Genres
      • Animation
      • Adventure
      • Comedy
      • Family
      • Fantasy
      • Musical
    • Certificate
      • G
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film is listed in the 2006 Guinness Book of World Records as the "first all-digital capture" film, where all acted parts were done in digital capture.
    • Goofs
      When the elves are helping the children out of Santa's sack the elves move as if they are getting the "know it all" out of the sack, but there is no boy between them.
    • Quotes

      The Conductor: Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see.

    • Crazy credits
      The production company credits are covered with snow and ice.
    • Alternate versions
      The film's IMAX release presented the film cropped to the Univisium 2.00:1 aspect ratio.
    • Connections
      Featured in HBO First Look: The Polar Express (2004)
    • Soundtracks
      The Polar Express
      Written and Produced by Glen Ballard & Alan Silvestri

    User reviews622

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Enchantment, thrills, spectacle...looks great on DVD...
    On the one hand there are many delightful moments in THE POLAR EXPRESS, not the least of which is the entire look of the film--appealing in a way that great illustrations of children's books always are to young and old. Tom Hanks and the others enter into the spirit of the whole thing with gusto--and all the performances are right on target.

    On the other hand, much of the film is an excuse to dazzle with roller-coaster-like rides on the express train that roars across various landscapes making wild leaps and turns, all the while thrilling us with a sense of adventure and excitement. For the very young, the ride might be a scary one, especially when the daring young hero rides atop the train during a blustery snowstorm.

    Things barely quiet down once the destination is reached at the North Pole. Still there are dangers lurking and the thrills continue with some amazing photographic tricks that can only be done in this new process of computer generated animation.

    And to add a cozier touch to the proceedings, certain famous Christmas songs are interjected at intervals to give the North Pole--and the film--a warmer glow.

    All in all, quite an imaginative and innovative achievement--impressive enough to assure its place among future Christmas favorites with unlimited appeal for the young in heart. The message of Christmas is lightly hinted at but when Tom Hanks as the train conductor tells the little boy, "The true meaning of Christmas is in your heart," we can be assured that children everywhere will definitely "get it".

    Visually, it's a stunner. I didn't see it on the IMAX screen where I imagine it really knocks your socks off, but at a multiplex where picture and sound were impressive enough to convey just how advanced special effects technology has become. There is much artistry involved here, especially when the night scenes of the train's fast-moving travel through a blustery snowstorm capture some rich winter landscapes, including a frozen lake that threatens to demolish train and passengers before danger has passed. The camera-work is continually fascinating as is the artwork involved.

    A pity there couldn't have been more of a story in the children's book which is the source--but the artistic visuals are the main source of entertainment here and they are superb. The busy background score by Alan Silvestri is reminiscent of works by John Williams. Although none of the sprightly song tunes are particularly memorable, there is a wistful quality to one of the new Christmas ballads sung by the children.

    P.S. - I have just watched it on DVD, a year after writing the above review--and it's definitely a keeper--just as wonderful as you could want, an amazing technological achievement that should delight all ages who can still hear that bell! Tom Hanks, as the conductor, is my favorite character--brilliant job.
    helpful•131
    36
    • Doylenf
    • Nov 22, 2004

    FAQ7

    • What is "The Polar Express" about?
    • Is "The Polar Express" based on a book?
    • Why are there two actors for each of the major children's parts?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 10, 2004 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • The Polar Express Wikia
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience
    • Filming locations
      • Arctic Ocean
    • Production companies
      • Castle Rock Entertainment
      • Shangri-La Entertainment
      • Playtone
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $165,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $188,969,804
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $23,323,463
      • Nov 14, 2004
    • Gross worldwide
      • $315,249,768
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • IMAX 6-Track
      • 12-Track Digital Sound
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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