I love how Tom Hanks literally plays like 90% of the characters. And the fact that it’s pretty obvious that the train conductor planned everything, including purposely not punching the holes of the girls ticket

Only reason the main character could keep believing for the rest of his life is because he left the bell in the sleigh. The other kids probably woke up thinking it was a dream, but the main character got confirmation through Santa's note.

One of my favorite aspects about this movie I don’t think is nearly talked about enough is the SOUND design. Absolutely incredible... Try putting this movie on and “watch” it with your eyes closed and you’ll STILL have a vivid, mesmerizing, and magical experience. ❤️

I noticed that ya’ll kept getting confused about the Hobo disappearing. Remember that the Hobo said, “Seeing is believing, right?” later followed by him asking the Boy, “Do you believe in Ghosts?” The Boy shakes his head, and the Hobo found that “interesting.” If the boy doesn’t believe in ghosts, then how could he see the Hobo, who is a GHOST!

Every time I hear little Billy say, "Christmas just doesn't work out for me." it breaks my heart. 😭

“Do you believe in ghosts?” That line always gives me chills

Watching your guys' reaction was the first time I really paid attention to the symbolism of this movie. The three main children represent three different attitudes people have toward Christmas: the main boy represents the critical unbeliever, the girl represents the unquestioning believer, and Billy represents the one who wants to believe. Billy and the girl also symbolize the levels of belief through which the main boy progresses, until he becomes the strongest believer of all. The hobo and the conductor are symbolic too, representing the choice between trusting hard evidence (hobo) and placing faith in the unseen (conductor). It's also interesting that neither the hobo nor the conductor completely rule out the possibility of the other--the hobo insinuates the existence of ghosts (because he is one), acknowledging that there's more to reality than just the physical; and the conductor does not deny objective reality but emphasizes spiritual truth and the human desire for something deeper. together, they create this key principle: you may never have all the answers, but you can have just enough evidence to establish a reasonable faith in the unseen. The moment of truth for the boy was the bell, the point where he had to make that final, pivotal decision: will he believe or not? There is so much to this story, and it is masterfully told and beautifully animated. I love watching it every single year! Merry Christmas, everyone! ❤️

This is one of my favorite Christmas movie of all time. It's unique and magical. The man that was on top of the train I interpreted that he was a ghost that somewhat saves the main kid. It's like a wakeup call. If u think about it, when they first met the kid looks at him as if he's looking at his future scrooge-alike self. The man was helping him to believe by just being himself in a sense. And it's interesting that the man helps him to get to the front of the train, and when they're over the ice, the man catches the kid before he falls, it's almost like he's making sure the kid arrives in one piece to the north pole.

I’ve been watching the polar express every year without fail since I was like a toddler and this movie just never gets old for me. I was born in 2003 so I’m 18 now but even then this movie just holds a special place in my art and I think it’s part of the reason I ended up becoming an artist when I grew up. I love the creativity and I have loved seeing my younger siblings grow up watching the polar express as well. We even have a model train going around our Christmas tree specifically bc of this movie lol.

In the DVD extras for this movie theres an extra song about “the King of the train” about a man who was killed in a tunnel and now haunts the train so he is indeed a ghost. My personal favourite way to view him is the ghost of Christmas Past (even if it doesn’t make a ton of sense)

I don't even celebrate Christmas and this is one of my FAVORITE Christmas movies it's crazy cause I feel like a lot of people don't like it that much because they find the animation "creepy"

Starring Tom hanks as literally everyone haha. Does anyone remember realising that they didn’t know any of the characters names cept ya boy billy.

It became a tradition in my family to watch this movie every Christmas Eve since I was a kid Also “the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe” I want that tattooed 🥺

My favorite part of this film are the questions they don’t answer. It’s part of the message I think. “It’s okay to not have all the answers. It’s okay to have things to wonder about. It’s okay to just have faith sometimes.”

In same style, massively underrated movie: "the adventures of Tintin" from 2011. Huge names behind it: Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg etc etc... I highly recommend.

The fact that this movie was never made into an amusement park ride is a CRIME!

Still in the christmas vibe, Klaus is another really good one i recommend ! The animation style alone deserves a video ! :D

I’ve always loved this movie and thought the animation is incredible. Doesn’t get the respect it deserves

Every kid on the train is at a crucial year where they start to not believe in Santa Claus. The Hero Boy is skeptical about magic. The Hero Girl is not always sure about what she knows. Billy has never gotten his wishes come true. The Know-It-All Kid is too sure on what he knows.

You mentioned that it feels like a ride at some points. Every year at Christmas SeaWorld in Orlando used to turn their Wild Arctic ride into the Polar Express. It's one of those rides where you sit in theater type seating with a big screen and the seats move to simulate what's on the screen. So they would play clips from the movie and it felt like you were there riding along. Then once it's over and you exit into the wild arctic area they turned it into the North Pole. There's ice and snow and it's all done up for Christmas with a massive Christmas tree and music. I haven't lived there in 10 years but I asked a friend and she said they stopped doing it about 5 years ago. I'm bummed, it was really magical.

Watching it with you guys again I really felt nostalgic, I really cried. Especially at the last part that showed although we grow up and doesn't get gifts anymore. It's our belief that would make us hear that sweet sound forever that's somehow specially meant for us to hear. I remember my niece and nephew asking some time ago whether Santa Claus and Easter Bunny are real, I simply told them that no they don't but you can be someone's Santa and Bunny. We all have that traits of these guardians inside us, we just have to protect it from darkness and enhance this ability at the correct time for good use.

I loved how original it was growing up! I’ve always felt like that was what made it really special 💜

Nine tailed brush not knowing who any actor is is my favourite thing haha man just popped into existence a year ago 😄 edit : and he’s read but not watched wizard of OZ?!

The boy was having an existential crisis (for a child, anyway, discovering Santa may not be real) - and the result was the mystical experience -- more vivid and real than a dream - that he needed at that moment. Believing is seeing... Keeping the spirit of Christmas in one's heart all year, all life long. Good job of analysis, guys! The reason you probably liked the ticket floating sequence was probably because the director, Bob Zemeckis, also directed Forrest Gump (the feather) and many other great films (also collaborating with Tom Hanks). The Polar Express is an award-winning children's book, why the story is so good. All great films start with a great story, and a great director to interpret and present the story.

If you want a great christmas movie, you should watch Rise of the Guardians. I know it's not really a christmas movie, but it's really good.

I know this is late but love how y’all are like most of us as adults, kids at heart and still gaze in glory at Santa and still appreciate the light humor in this movie.

People don't give enough credit to this movie. The ending is emotional and effective. And the part where he asks "do you believe in ghosts" is cool and spooky. Great movie

Basically, the Hobo guy represents the boys fear and doubt of Santa because overall the boy was afraid of being let down in the end if he were to find that Santa wasn’t real. He is pretty much testing the boy on his strength to believe in Santa. Once the boy knows for sure he believes in Santa, by the time he gets home and we watch the boy wave goodbye to the Hobo and he disappears, it’s the boy basically saying goodbye to all his doubt and disbelief because it no longer exist.

this movie has one of my absolute favorite Christmas songs: Believe - Josh Groban

I don’t understand why the parents don’t believe in Santa. Like, you just woke up to a ton of presents under your tree that you didn’t put there. Who else would’ve put them there?

I was obsessed on the belief of Santa because of this movie when it came out. (Still am in a hypocritical way.) One of my aunts found out how much I love the movie and got me the Polar Express bell for our Christmas Eve family gathering. I make certain that the box and the bell inside are not too damaged every winter.

I like the theory that Santa is all three. Himself, the hobo and the conductor.

This was one of those movies that I was like 90% sure was a fever dream growing up (see also: Help! I'm a fish and Sharkboy & Lavagirl) and then slowly but surely realised it was a real movie that actually existed. I love it now though and watch it every year, the soundtrack is ICONIC

FUN FACT: The "face design" of the main little boy character was Josh Hutcherson ( from the Hunger Games ). Even though the little boy "speaking" was clearly not a young Josh Hutcherson, the "computer face" was Josh's . When you Google Image a picture of a young Josh and compare it to the Polar Express computer animated boy, they are IDENTICAL. And that is something I never knew when I saw this for the first time

Fun Fact: I’m from and currently living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I grew up watching this movie every year as a Christmas tradition and it’s always cool to hear our town in it. It’s really nostalgic and will always hold a special place in my heart ❤️

I first saw this about age 2. According to my parents, I was so transfixed by the film that I never moved for the whole runtime (something that child me rarely did). All these years later, I still love it. I watch the film every Christmas, and it’s never disappointed.

This movie still gives me the chills and plays on my heartstrings

If you haven’t seen it yet, “Arthur Christmas” is another great Christmas movie

Seeing this in IMAX as a kid was truly magical. I got a sleigh bell for Christmas that year from Santa. It was super special ✨

I think it’d have been more interesting if Billy was the main character. He grew up in poverty, and even says himself that he’s always had doubts about Santa and the true meaning of Christmas. He had the better character development, more than the actual main character, imo.

I think then man drinking coffee on the train was a ghost. So when hears the boy talk about his struggle believing in Santa Clause he asks "Do you believe in ghosts?" and the boy shook his head no, the man says "interesting" and eventually disappears. Its interesting the boy would believe in ghosts but not Santa.

My schools had a polar express party every year after it came out when i was in 1st grade. It's really psychological for kids, but I think it's done on purpose so that as a kid grows and keeps watching it, they learn more and more about the meaning behind it. Since I watched it every year for about 7 or 8 years, I got to grow up with that which was pretty cool. Every Christmas party we wore our pajamas to school and they gave us cookies and hot chocolate while we watched this. Really good memories.

My youngest daughter used to love this movie so much that she watched it every night for months at a time. Every night for months she went to sleep while watching it.

10:50 this scene with the music and dialogue is amazing

I've always taken the hobo guy to be the literal "Spirit of Christmas" since he is clearly magical and claims to be the king of the Polar Express.

♥️ Thanks for not saying the animation is "Creepy" Am tired of people tearing this movie apart because they think it's too "Creepy" to them.

i've watched a few people react to this movie this week and you're the only ones who didn't call the cgi extremely outdated 😭 but since none of the others were animators i'll take that ratio with a grain of salt 😊

This is another vivid theatre! Dude when I was a kid and we went to see this on the big screen, it blew me away. The beautiful animation, the characters, how it legitimately felt like a roller coaster 😂 it was magic to me. It still feels like it now actually 😊

As a kid, this movie hadn’t been my favorite I have adhd, the sounds scared me and if it wasn’t about animals I didn’t like it But NOW- It’s my favorite Christmas movie of all time, I learn something new every time I watch it and I always have a positive takeaway It’s such a moving film for me about belief and faith, as well as perspective and different life situations It’s such an incredible movie, so happy you guys watched it

I love this movie, others might be bothered by the uncanny faces, but not me. I always saw them as stylized.

This is my all time favourite Christmas movie, I watch it every year! Love that you guys reacted to it!

You guys should definitely watch The Santa Clause with Tim Allen. I think you’d like it!

I love everything about this movie, the story, animation and soundtrack are amazing!

If you liked this you guys should check out the Disney's version of A Christmas Carol. Same animation but I think they wanted to make sure that it would be entertaining enough for 3D.

You mentioned it felt like a ride, well, something to keep in mind when watching this one, is that it was released in 3D. It was absolutely awesome.

Here in Sacramento there's a train museum that does a Polar Express themed train ride every Christmas. It's expensive and gets sold out in minutes. We made it on one year when my kid was 3. **Spoiler* *They have the Hot Chocolate song and dance routine where they pass out hot chocolate and cookies. They really make it magical and interactive for the kids. They even stop at the North Pole with a real Santa. Santa surprises the kids on the way back to the station and passes out bells. The kids go nuts!

Ahhh I love The Polar Express! This is so nostalgic, I literally only've seen it on my every new year holidays, this movie is so warm. Thanks for reacting to it! edited: omg i can't believe i'm still crying during some moments wow

When i was little in elementary school around christmas time we would have a day where we would wear our pajamas to school and watch this movie and the teachers would serve us hot chocolate :) I watch it every christmas eve with my family now while still drinking hot chocolate of course

As a child, my parents would take my family to a trainyard that would do recreations of the polar Express. They took us in a loop, but served hot chocolate, gave out bells, and really just made Christmas that much more magical. It's one of my favorite memories, and this movie always brings that back. One of my favorite Christmas movies, even if the cgi isn't perfect.

This is defintely a favourite Christmas movie of mine, you should check out: A Christmas Carol (2009) & How the Grinch Stole Christmas (both starring Jim Carrey)

The style of the animation matches the art in the original book.

This movie is an adaptation of the 1985 Caldecott Award winning picture book of the same name. Although a lot of the events of the movie don't occur in the book, the main theme and the art style come directly from it. Many shots in the movie are recreations of images from the book.

11:29 "The Wizard of Oz" is only "all a dream" in the film version. In the book, it's supposed to be an actual place. The filmmakers decided to make it a dream so it would appeal more to all ages, instead of just children, who were the target audience of the book.

Did you not notice Billy has his boots on the wrong feet? LOL!

When I was younger my Aunt used to read the Polar Express to me and my brother every Christmas.....now I watch the movie and this is one instance where the movie elevated the experience of the book rather than take away. The artistic style of the movie came straight from the book which as a kid was my favorite part of the book.

I went to see this with my mom in the REAL IMAX theater when it came out in Austin. The experience was unreal. I feel like everyone should have the opportunity to see this movie the way it was meant to be experienced at least once. No comparison.

Got to see this movie in theaters back when it released with my entire first grade class! We got to be in our pajamas, have hot chocolate, and we each got a bell at the end. One of the most magical experiences of my life.

This is my all time favourite Christmas movie. It was released in my ‘crucial’ year, in the words of the conductor, and it actually prolonged my belief in Santa for a good year or two, so much so that I was one of the last, possibly the last child in my class to stop believing in Santa. I was just so convinced by the detail of the North Pole in this movie, I thought this must be true. I also love how each kid got a word unique to them punched into their ticket, a word that they needed to hear. And I found it so poignant at the end how his parents couldn’t hear the bell, then the voiceover says there came a Christmas when even his sister couldn’t hear the bell anymore, but it still rang for him, as it does for everyone who truly believe 🔔

I remember watching this movie in the IMAX theater. It was probably my first 3D experience that didn't include those stupid red and blue glasses that just mess with your eyes. When the movie started I remember trying to catch the snowflakes.

This movie never fails to put me in the Christmas spirit even when the year sucks. Motion capture is by far the most awesome medium for a film - it's literally stage acting, film, animation and voice acting all rolled into one. I so wanna work in motion capture stuff one day. I also found it hilarious that every elf sounds like Joe Pesci XD

Please react to Rise of the Guardians. It takes place during Easter but feels like a Christmas movie.

You explained it perfectly in the beginning. You really feel like the film is taking you on for the ride. On a journey. Very mystical and adventurous. Love this movie. I saw it in the 2nd grade and I'm 25 now but i still watch it even when it's not Christmas. Gotta love Tom Hanks.

I had amazing luck getting to see this movie at the cinema, the visuals were stunning. And I'm very glad people and specially reactors are rediscovering this movie and giving it a new appreciation. Thank you for the reaction 💜

I love this tall, slim and strict Santa more then the small fat and happy one.

I cried so much when santa appeared, the cinematography and ost is amazing

Arthur Christmas, is a wonderful movie, very funny, very jolly and for the all family! 🎅🎄You had watch!?

If y’all haven’t seen it, the live action Grinch movie is a DEFINITE WATCH!

omg yes, i've been waiting since this is my favorite christmas movie growing up.

The man who the boy keeps seeing is a ghost. That’s why he asked him if he believed in ghosts

I loved how Santa was a serious man instead of just a goofy, jolly fat guy.

This film gives me the creeps! Every character has cold, dead, emotionless eyes! Maybe one day they'll update the graphics to sort that problem out.

I've heard so many theories about the man on the train roof but my favourite is that he is santa, hence owns the train and the magic of it all. Loved the reaction!

I can't get enough of your reactions, I just love it! And it would be so so cool to see your reaction on 'A Christmas Carol, with Jim Carrey.. it's so creepy and amazing!!

the song believe is such a good song, i love the guy who sings it, his name is Josh Groban, he also sings a song Noel for christmas time, i absolutely love his voice. some people always say the girl looks like ASAP Rocky lmao.

After reading the award winning book to my son for years, we saw this in IMax. This is one of the few times I think the movie might be better than the book. Tom Hanks is phenomenal.

As someone who loves dope animation and great storytelling please please please watch Klaus on Netflix

He is Tom Freaking Hanks and he can do anything!

I was so impressed with this movie when it came out . The Animation blew my mind . I constantly tell people how great it is . It’s higher underrated . Tom Hanks has been my favorite actor since 1980 when he starred in prime time sitcom Bosom Buddies my jr high bites it beat show in my 8th grade yearbook . Ever since he has never stopped acting . He is also highly underrated . 🎄⭐️🎄⭐️

Please react to Klaus, Arthur's Christmas, Brother Bear, Rise of the guardians, Legend of the guardians owls of Ga'Hoole, The Adventures of TinTin, Meet the Robinsons, Sindhbad.

Gen Z was raised by this movie. We watched this every Xmas from Kindergarten to 5th grade in school.

This will always remain my favourite Christmas movie ever.

It's my favorite christmas movie!! Thanks for this

My favorite christmas movie! Zemeckis (director of this movie) also directed "A Christmas Carol" (2009) with Jim Carrey which is also a 3D Motion-Capture movie! You have to check this one out too! :)

Great reaction! I barley remembered it before watching this reaction, and damn, it is surprisingly better then I thought it would be! I recommend checking out The Willoughbys and Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole!

the performance capture in polar express is like what video game animations look like now

I commented this on another Polar Express video but there is a Polar Express train that you can actually ride in Flagstaff,Arizona during Christmas time! My parents took my sister and I when we were little and you get hot chocolate and Santa comes and gives you a bell at the end. It’s so beautiful and worth taking your kids (and maybe even yourself) to see a beautiful and magical winter train ride. ☺️❄️🚂

I was obsessed with this movie when I was little. One Christmas in Elementary school, my mom gave my sister and I a bell that looked just like the one in the movie and it said “Believe”

The sweeping shots and the way it gives you that feeling like you're riding a ride... This movie was also available in 3D!

What’s weird about this movie is the goofs in animation and pays no attention to physics. -If you pay attention closely, the number of cars on the train change. -Ik it’s a magic trait but the polar express would’ve blown up in real life, during the roller coaster scene, when the train is going up and down, when too much water rushes to the firebox, it will cause the engine to blow up -During the ski scene, the amount of cars changes as they try to reach the coal car -Following the laws of gravity, the elves would not have caught up to the star in time cause all objects fall at the same speed. -And one more goof, if you look closely, when the train is going up the mountain, it looks like a snake and that’s not real trains turn lol I love this movie a lot, but I have found out all of this as I’ve watched the movie over the years.

I absolutely LOVE this film! One of my favorite childhood films! And still one of my favorite Christmas movies to this day!