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The Polar Express(2004)

G
1h 40m

Release Date: Nov 10, 2004 | Wide

A+
6.6

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.

Official Website

Releases

Original Release | Nov 10, 2004

2005 IMAX Release | Nov 23, 2005

2006 IMAX Release | Nov 17, 2006

2007 IMAX Release | Oct 5, 2007

2008 IMAX Release | Nov 21, 2008

2009 IMAX Release | Nov 6, 2009

2010 IMAX Release | Dec 3, 2010

2011 IMAX Release | Nov 25, 2011

2012 IMAX Release | Nov 21, 2012

2013 IMAX Release | Nov 9, 2013

2014 IMAX Release | Nov 1, 2014

2015 IMAX Release | Nov 19, 2015

2016 IMAX Release | Nov 11, 2016

2017 IMAX Release | Nov 17, 2017

2018 Re-release | Nov 2, 2018

2020 Re-release | Dec 4, 2020

Box Office

All Releases (16)
Total US & Canada:
$189,528,738
Total International
$128,697,779
Total Worldwide:
$318,321,815

Total US & Canada:
$162,775,358
Total International
$123,225,147
Total Worldwide:
$286,000,505

Director & Top Cast

Robert Zemeckis
Director

Tom Hanks
Conductor

Chris Coppola
Toothless Boy

Michael Jeter
Smokey

Leslie Zemeckis
Sister Sarah

Eddie Deezen
Know-It-All

Nona Gaye

Hero Girl

Peter Scolari

Billy - Lonely Boy

Brendan King

Pastry Chef

Andy Pellick

Pastry Chef

Josh Eli

Waiter

Mark Mendonca

Waiter

Rolondas Hendricks

Waiter

Mark Goodman

Waiter

Jon Scott

Waiter

Gregory Gast

Waiter

Sean Scott

Waiter

Gordon Hart

Waiter

Technical Specifications

Sound Mix: DTS,Dolby Digital,SDDS,IMAX 6-Track,12-Track Digital Sound

Aspect Ratio: 1.33 : 1

Other Details

Country of Origin: United States,Australia

Language: English

Summaries

Plot Summary

Tom Hanks plays the train conductor of a magical train heading for the North Pole, in addition to five other parts. Based on a storybook written by Chris Van Allsburg, the Christmas story tells of a boy who has reached an age when he begins to have doubts believing in Santa. Late one Christmas Eve, the young boy is lying awake waiting for the sound of sleigh bells ringing from Santa's sleigh. Five minutes to midnight his room begins to shake, and he hears a thunderous sound outside his window. The boy jumps from his bed and sees a train in the middle of his street. The boy grabs his robe and rushes out the front door to look at the train. The train's conductor asks the boy if he is getting aboard. The boy asks, "Where are you going?' 'To the North Pole, of course, this is the Polar Express!' At the last minute, the boy jumps on the train and finds other young boys and girls going to the North Pole. Their adventure begins. On the train he meets lots of other children, among them a know-it-all, a clever girl and a poor boy. During the trip to the North Pole, there are several complications and complications before the end of the journey comes. Among others, the tracks are covered with ice and a child loses its ticket. When they reach the north pole, the children meet Santa Claus, and the boy gets the very first Christmas present of the year, a sleigh bell from Santa Claus' sleigh. They return safely to their homes in time for Christmas Day, and the boy finds the Christmas Present from Santa beneath his tree, after which the story concludes.

Storyline

This is the story of a young hero boy who boards on a powerful magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus' home on Christmas Eve night. 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} Wrestling with burgeoning doubts on the ever-present question over Santa Claus' existence, the skeptical youngster, Hero Boy, hears the familiar sound of a locomotive which interrupts his already troubled sleep. And then, much to his surprise, a cryptic conductor invites him to board the magnificent Polar Express on an unforgettable and magical adventure all the way up to the frozen landscapes of the vast North Pole, Santa Claus' realm. Will he and the rest of the young non-believers aboard the train finally find the true spirit of Christmas? — Nick Riganas It's Christmas Eve and a young boy is having doubts that Santa Claus exists. Then a magical train, the Polar Express, appears outside his house. It's destination? The North Pole. Its young passengers are going to meet Santa, but not before having some adventures along the way. — grantss Santa Claus does not exist. Or does he? For one doubting boy, an astonishing event occurs. Late on Christmas Eve night, he lies in his bed hoping to hear the sound of bells from Santa Claus' sleigh. When to his surprise, a train's roar and whistle can be heard outside his bedroom window. The conductor invites him on board to take an extraordinary journey to the North Pole with many other pajama-clad children. There, he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa Claus can experience. — Lael Kazikiewicz