The Polar Express, a 2004 American animated Christmas fantasy film, and its recent surge in popularity has led to speculation over the Polar Express 2 release date. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, who also co-wrote the screenplay with William Broyles Jr., the film is based on the 1985 children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. The Polar Express cast is led by Tom Hanks in multiple roles, and the film uses a blend of live-action and motion-capture computer animation. Its story unfolds on Christmas Eve in the 1950s, following a young boy who embarks on a magical train journey to the North Pole, delving into the heart of Christmas spirit and belief.
Upon release, The Polar Express garnered mixed reviews but was recognized for its technological innovation and was listed in the 2006 Guinness World Records as the first all-digital capture film. Despite initial critiques about its animation dipping into the uncanny valley, the film has been embraced over time, and is considered one of the best Christmas movies for kids. Renowned critic Roger Ebert lauded its unique, shivery tone, distinguishing it from typical holiday fare. The film’s emotional resonance and distinctive animation style have cemented it as a cherished part of holiday movie traditions. Now, following a fake A.I. poster, there have been talks about The Polar Express 2 release date.
20 Best Quotes From The Polar Express
The best Polar Express quotes are enough to make any doubter believe in Santa Claus and are overflowing with a heartwarming festive spirit.
The Polar Express 2 Is Not Confirmed
Despite rumors and fan anticipation, there is no confirmation of The Polar Express 2. Unfortunately, neither Hanks nor Zemeckis has ever commented on the prospect of a sequel. The movie made $316 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo), which sounds like a great performance, but relative to the movie’s $165 million budget, The Polar Express’s box office gross is considered a major underperformance. The studio probably considers a sequel too much of a risk, especially given the divisive reception to the first film. This is further exemplified by Zemeckis’ A Christmas Carol, another Christmas movie that used the same digital techniques as The Polar Express but was even more expensive.
Additionally, Van Allsburg never wrote a sequel to the original Polar Express book, and without being able to adapt any source material, creating an original story creates more obstacles for the Polar Express 2’s development. A petition on Change.org urging Warner Bros. to create a sequel garnered 336 supporters but did not elicit any response from the studio either. As of now, Warner Bros has made no official statement regarding a sequel, leaving the future of The Polar Express 2 uncertain.
The Polar Express Cast Guide: Who Voices Each Character
The Polar Express is a holiday classic, and here is a full breakdown of the the cast and characters from the beloved Robert Zemeckis film.
The Fake Tom Hanks Polar Express 2 Poster Explained
The rumors around a sequel were further stirred in November 2023 by an AI-generated poster for a fictional movie titled The Christmas Express. The poster, featuring Tom Hanks as the iconic train conductor, suggested a live-action Polar Express rather than CG style and claimed a December 2023 release exclusive to the Max streaming service. The convincing yet fictitious poster, created by a Facebook satire page named YODA BBY ABY, went viral, being shared over 110,000 times with enthusiastic reactions from fans.
Small details made the poster even more convincing. A number of Warner Bros. movies were made exclusively for HBO Max, including another Christmas legacy sequel, 2022’s A Christmas Story Christmas, which led many to believe in the sequel’s existence. However, the poster was ultimately revealed to be fake. As it remains, The Polar Express 2 release date is nonexistent, just like the development of the movie.
