The Polar Express | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

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 More Read Less

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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.

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Critics Reviews

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The Polar Express | Rotten Tomatoes (1) 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 The Polar Express | Rotten Tomatoes (2) 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 The Polar Express | Rotten Tomatoes (3) 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 The Polar Express | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A “Harry Potter meets Scrooge” hodgepodge enacted on a plateau of plasticity. Rated: 2/4 Feb 15, 2023 Full Review The Polar Express | Rotten Tomatoes (5) 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 The Polar Express | Rotten Tomatoes (6) 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

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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

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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
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The Polar Express

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The Polar Express

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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
Warner Bros. Pictures, Castle Rock

Production Co
Universal CGI, Playtone Productions, ImageMovers, Warner Brothers, Castle Rock Entertainment, Golden Mean

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)
Most Popular at Home Now
The Polar Express | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

FAQs

Why was Polar Express controversial? ›

The Polar Express is controversial and “creepy” to some viewers thanks to its animation style, which created a phenomenon known as “Uncanny Valley.”

Why did Polar get bad reviews? ›

In that John Wick is a great film and Polar is a bit of a mess. Content collapsed. A movie that seems to relish the mindless bloodshed, gratuitous sex, and glaring objectification. It's sold out on looking cool and blinding us with its 'style' but doesn't consider its story or its characters.

Why was Polar Express rated bad? ›

Instead of being filled with wonder and enchantment as you'd anticipate, this film is mostly stressful and off putting, with the children constantly being out in dangerous and even life threatening situations.

What food did they eat on The Polar Express? ›

The car is not seen in the book. In the film, one of the passenger cars is briefly transformed into a dining car so the children can get served hot chocolate, but there is not a separate dining car. Unlike in the film, where the children are only served hot chocolate, there are also cakes, muffins, and cookies.

Is there a hidden message in The Polar Express? ›

There's a hidden reference to "Back to the Future" in the newspaper clipping. The Hero Boy keeps these newspaper clippings to prove Santa isn't real. Warner Bros. The boy's collection of papers show why he's come to the conclusion that Santa isn't real.

Why people don t like Polar Express? ›

Let's address the elephant in the room: a lot of people hate this movie. The most common complaint is that the animation makes the people look uncanny, and I get it. However, I don't think that's enough to dismiss all the great things about the movie.

Why do people feel uncomfortable watching Polar Express? ›

The graphics are so life-like, but at the same time, not quite realistic enough, which has given many the creeps. Well this is because of uncanny valley – the notion that the more human-like a non-human character becomes, the more we like it, until it becomes too unsettling.

Is The Polar Express appropriate? ›

Children aged 5-8 years are likely to be scared or disturbed by the violent, scary and suspenseful scenes from The Polar Express, mentioned above. Some children aged 8-13 years might be scared or disturbed by the violent, scary and suspenseful scenes from The Polar Express, mentioned above.

Why is The Polar Express so good? ›

The movie is trying to convey to the audience that it's not about what you see and how things work, it's about choosing to believe in the magic of the world. The power that choice to believe has is where the magic of childlike wonder comes from and is something people seem to forget when they grow into adulthood.

Is The Polar Express disturbing? ›

But it's also an adventure, with lots of roller-coaster thrills and some scary characters that might be too intense and frightening for the youngest kids. The Express roars, speeds, and skids on its perilous journey to the North Pole.

Why is there a homeless man in Polar Express? ›

The hobo's identity is never revealed in the movie, leaving it open to interpretation as to who he is and what his true purpose is. Some fans have speculated that he is a representation of Santa Claus, while others think he may be a guardian angel sent to look after the children on their journey.

Why was Polar Express groundbreaking? ›

The Polar Express was the first feature-length film to be entirely created using motion capture technology. This revolutionary technique allowed the animators to create a highly realistic 3D world without having to draw each frame. The result was a unique and stunning visual style, unlike anything seen before.

What are the 6 rolls in Polar Express? ›

The Polar Express (2004) - Tom Hanks as Hero Boy, Father, Conductor, Hobo, Scrooge, Santa Claus - IMDb.

Why is Rudolph not in Polar Express? ›

The answer is because not just anyone can stick Rudolph in a story wherever they see fit. Unlike Santa, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is copyrighted, with the copyright being managed by a company out of a Connecticut called Character Arts, LLC.

What drinks were served to the children in Polar Express? ›

During THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride, passengers are served hot cocoa and a cookie, delight in lively songs and dance, and enjoy a reading of the holiday classic, The Polar Express.

What is the dark meaning behind The Polar Express? ›

The conductor and hobo are two of the paths the hero can take depending on what he chooses to believe after this night. The Polar Express is dark because when one stops believing in childhood imagination, they become older and older until one day, they pass away. Just like the hobo who was a bitter and cold ghost.

Why was The Polar Express Cancelled? ›

The 2024 Polar Express train ride has been canceled due to street reconstruction near Union Station in in the West Loop, organizers said. CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Polar Express is canceled for 2024.

What does the homeless guy in Polar Express represent? ›

The hobo's identity is never revealed in the movie, leaving it open to interpretation as to who he is and what his true purpose is. Some fans have speculated that he is a representation of Santa Claus, while others think he may be a guardian angel sent to look after the children on their journey.

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