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.

Read Less

Now in Theaters

Now Playing

Buy Tickets

Where to Watch

In Theaters

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Rent The Polar Express on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (210) Critics Reviews

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

Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews

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

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

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

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Movies in Theaters

100% 91% Mickey's Christmas Carol 14% 38% The Trumpet of the Swan 43% 60% Quest for Camelot 75% 61% Cinderella III: A Twist in Time 14% 47% A Troll in Central Park Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related Movie News

View All Related Movie News

18 Rotten Christmas Movies We Love Three Alternatives to The Commuter You Can Watch with the Family Cannes 2009: Carrey and co. Present A Christmas Carol

Videos

View All videos

The Polar Express

The Polar Express: Trailer 1

2:22

View more videos

Photos

View All The Polar Express photos

The Polar Express

View more photos

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: Castle Rock, Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment, Universal CGI, Playtone Productions, ImageMovers, Golden Mean, Warner Brothers
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)