The Polar Express poster

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The Polar Express

2004 · Movie · 100 min

Every rating

Platform pages last read 30 September 2026. IMDb’s figure comes from IMDb’s own data file, which we re-read about once a month.

Google: Google retired the star ratings it used to show in search results, so this one no longer updates. More on where the numbers come from →

35–88 out of 100

Split

Lowest is Criticker on 35, highest is Google on 88.

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On Christmas Eve, a skeptical young boy boards a magical train that is headed to the North Pole. Along with other children, he embarks on a wondrous journey to meet Santa Claus and receive the first gift of Christmas. The adventure tests his faith and courage as he learns about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.

Details

Based on
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Released
10 November 2004
Country
United States
Language
English
Runtime
100 min
Rated
G
Budget
$165.0M
Box office
$318.4M
Awards
5 wins, 25 nominations

This title elsewhere

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks

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

Leslie Zemeckis

Leslie Zemeckis

Sister Sarah / Mother

Eddie Deezen

Eddie Deezen

Know-It-All

Nona Gaye

Nona Gaye

Hero Girl (voice)

Peter Scolari

Peter Scolari

Billy / Lonely Boy

Michael Jeter

Michael Jeter

Smokey / Steamer

Josh Hutcherson

Josh Hutcherson

Hero Boy (motion capture)

Daryl Sabara

Daryl Sabara

Hero Boy (voice)

Awards & nominations

See all 30 →

1 major award won · 5 wins from 30 nominations across 23 ceremonies

Grammy Awards 2006 Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri for "Believe" by Josh Groban Winner
Academy Awards 2005 Best Sound Editing Randy Thom and Dennis Leonard Nominee
Academy Awards 2005 Best Sound Mixing Randy Thom, Tom Johnson, Dennis S. Sands and William B. Kaplan Nominee
Academy Awards 2005 Best Original Song Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri for " Believe " by Josh Groban Nominee
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2005 Best Animated Feature The Polar Express Nominee
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2005 Best Song Josh Groban for "Believe" Nominee
Golden Globe Awards 2005 Best Original Song Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri for "Believe" by Josh Groban Nominee
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards 2005 Best Movie for Grownups Who Refuse to Grow Up The Polar Express Nominee
Show all 30 awards across 23 ceremonies

Awards from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.