The Polar Express (2004)
Where to Watch
- Many of the practical effects used in the climax were achieved without any CGI.
- Before Tom Hanks was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
- Eagle-eyed viewers have noticed a hidden easter egg referencing Robert Zemeckis's previous film in the background of the opening scene.
The Polar Express is a 2004 American animated fantasy adventure directed by Robert Zemeckis, based on Chris Van Allsburg's beloved 1985 picture book. Tom Hanks performs multiple roles through motion-capture technology, including the film's protagonist β an unnamed boy who doubts the existence of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve β the train's mysterious conductor, the hobo atop the train, Santa Claus, and the boy's father. When a magical steam train pulls up outside the boy's house and invites him aboard for a journey to the North Pole, he and his fellow young passengers experience a series of extraordinary adventures while learning about faith, friendship, and the spirit of Christmas.
The Polar Express was one of the earliest feature films to use performance-capture animation throughout, with Robert Zemeckis pioneering techniques that would later be refined in his Beowulf and A Christmas Carol. The animation quality β particularly the human characters' eyes and expressions β fell into what has since been termed the "uncanny valley," with faces that appeared almost but not quite human, an effect that some viewers found unsettling. Despite this limitation, the film became a beloved holiday tradition, particularly in IMAX 3D presentations.
The Polar Express earned $314 million worldwide on a $165 million budget.
