
The Polar Express
A journey like you’ve never imagined.
2004 • 100 min • Adventure · Animation · Family · Fantasy
Synopsis
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.
Our family guide
Best from age 6- 75 Reviewers · 4 · 60%
- 67 Audience · 6958 · 40%
A young boy doubting the magic of Christmas embarks on an extraordinary train journey to the North Pole. Through thrilling adventures and new friends, he discovers that belief is the true key to wonder and keeps the spirit of the season alive for those who embrace it.
- Violence & peril
- 2/10
- Language
- 1/10
- Drinking, drugs & smoking
- 0/10
- Romance & sensuality
- 0/10
- Scary moments
- 4/10
Heads up
- Challenging train ride moments
- Some characters can be a bit spooky
- Themes of doubt and skepticism
What it models well
- Belief and wonder
- Friendship and kindness
- Finding inner strength
Talk about it after
- The importance of belief and imagination
- What makes someone a true leader?
- How kindness can make a difference
Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for The Polar Express. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.
Where to watch
Rent
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Links go straight to each service. Some are affiliate links that support Movie Knight at no cost to you. Availability data by JustWatch via TMDB.
Top billed cast
Director: Robert Zemeckis • Crew: Robert Zemeckis, William Broyles Jr.

Tom Hanks
Hero Boy (Adult)/ Father / Conductor / Hobo / Scrooge / Santa Claus

Leslie Zemeckis
Sister Sarah / Mother

Eddie Deezen
Know-It-All

Nona Gaye
Hero Girl (voice)

Peter Scolari
Billy / Lonely Boy

Michael Jeter
Smokey / Steamer

Josh Hutcherson
Hero Boy (motion capture)

Daryl Sabara
Hero Boy (voice)

Jimmy Bennett
Lonely Boy (voice)

Tinashe
Hero Girl (motion capture)
Trailers & clips
Train Derails - Movie Clip
The Spirit of Christmas
"ALL ABOARD!" Scene
Hot Chocolate!
When Christmas Comes
4K Full Movie Preview
4K Trailer
Behind The Scenes with Tom Hanks
Reviewer notes
RecommendedA young man is all excited as he heads to bed on Christmas eve. His sleep is disturbed though, when his house starts to shake. He bounds to the window whereupon he sees the arrival of a great train, one he quickly discovers is heading on to the North Pole. Safely aboard he encounters other children and adventure beckons as they learn that one child will get to meet Santa Claus himself before he embarks on his glob...
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersWatching The Polar Express is not an annual event for me, but I believe I have seen it three times and would not nix the idea if someone were to suggest watching it again. I feel a connection to it for an odd reason: my wife and I volunteered one Christmas season to be elves serving cocoa and dancing for an actual Polar Express narrow gauge train ride when we lived in Maine. (Though I can assure you our dancing w...
RecommendedTrusted family reviewersNo matter how many times I watch this, it always brought me to tears! I only wish that I got to see it in 3D at the cinema.
Not recommended***Some kids with creepy dead eyes take a dreamlike trip to the North Pole on The Polar Express*** A boy from Grand Rapids, Michigan, is at the age where he no longer believes in Christmas, as far as Santa, his elves and flying reindeer go, but a magical train appears in front of his home on Christmas Eve and whisks him away on an adventurous trip to the North Pole with several other kids. “The Polar Expres...
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Gallery
Details
- TMDB audience
- 6.7/10 (6,958)
- Age rating
- G
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $165,000,000
- Box office
- $318,432,432
- Franchise
- The Polar Express Collection
- IMDb
- tt0338348
- Official site
- www.warnerbros.com

Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Spectrum On Demand
Plex














