The Polar Express

Name: The Polar Express
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Animation, Family
Released: November 10, 2004
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 61
Cast: Michael Jeter, Tom Hanks

2004

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 273 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	Your Score
6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 273 Ratings

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The Polar Express

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: November 10, 2004 | G

Starring: Michael Jeter, Tom Hanks

Summary: 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. (Warner Bros.)

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Genre(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Animation, Family

Rating: G

Runtime: 100 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Duane Byrge

A story that soars with breakneck pace but slows in all the tender moments. Visually, this train ride is both majestic and edge-of-your-seat. Read full review

Desson Thomson

A truly satisfying holiday picture, the kind everyone can enjoy. Read full review

Chris Kaltenbach

Like the coolest train set a kid ever had. It's not real and the faces on the toy people don't look human, but it has bells and whistles galore and will take you as far as your imagination allows. Read full review

Shawn Levy

A genuinely handsome film, and it tells a story that is well worth knowing. It's a kind, gentle and sweet holiday confection. But my Christmas wish is that the DVD comes packaged with the book. Read full review

Premiere Jessica Letkemann

The Hanks overload feels like The Polar Express is "Being John Malkovich" transmuted into a computer-generated 21st-century children's Christmas film. Read full review

Ed Park

When it comes to the "humans," the atmosphere collapses. Unnervingly smooth, mouths moving in strange, even frightening formations, the Polar people are the least convincing things on-screen, glaring impostors amid the otherwise painstakingly rendered scenery. Read full review

Peter Travers

The result is a failed and lifeless experiment in which everything goes wrong. Read full review

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User Reviews

LorenJ.

Dec 24, 2005

In our house, the movie completely captivated it's intended audience.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

OscarOrNot

Mar 12, 2012

Loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

Aaronbake322

Dec 19, 2019

Gorgeous visuals, interesting characters and good songs all come together for a nice journey I love revisiting every December.

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

BillyB.

Dec 6, 2006

This movie is great for the whole family to watch with all aspects covered like laughter, heart-warming moments and even some action here and there.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AmateurfilmVWR

Dec 27, 2022

It's a good movie. They had to take a like a 10 page book and make it a feature length film with fully developed characters. I can see where people might not like what Zemeckis did here. You can spot alot of the obvious "filler scenes" easily and they could have used real people instead ofIt's a good movie. They had to take a like a 10 page book and make it a feature length film with fully developed characters. I can see where people might not like what Zemeckis did here. You can spot alot of the obvious "filler scenes" easily and they could have used real people instead of going the animation route. Despite it's flaws, Polar Express offers charm and a sense of wonder when it finally gets to where it's going.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

CineAutoctono

Dec 8, 2015

A really good movie for the holidays, in fact almost abuurida , but the plot is magnificent , spectacular animation of Robert Zemeckis is able to devise.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

nickb.

Dec 24, 2005

It made me cry cuz it didn't make any sense.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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19	#19 Most Discussed Movie of 2004
12	#12 Most Shared Movie of 2004