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“The Polar Express” is an animated fantasy film from 2004 that follows a young boy’s enchanting trip to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.
Aboard The Polar Express and enter the magical, restive realm of the North Pole. Find out where to watch “The Polar Express” in Canada.
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Where to Watch The Polar Express in Canada
“The Polar Express” is available on streaming services in Canada.
Is The Polar Express Available on Streaming?
Hulu
“The Polar Express” is available to stream on Hulu. Unfortunately, the streaming service is only available in the US, so you must use a VPN to access the platform. To watch “The Polar Express” on the platform, register for an account and subscribe to any of the following monthly plans:
| Plan | Monthly fee | Simultaneous screens | Access to Hulu library | Access to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus |
| No ads | $14.99 | 2 | Yes | No |
| With ads | $7.99 | 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Student (with ads) | $1.99 | 1 | Yes | No |
Hulu offers a 30-day free trial to new and eligible returning subscribers, which you can cancel at any time. The platform also supports different devices, such as smartphones, smart TVs, laptops, tablets, game consoles, and media players like Amazon Fire Tablets and Fire TV Stick.
Hulu offers plenty of holiday gems in its library such as “Elf,” “Jack Frost,” “The Santa Clause,” and “Home Alone 3.”
Club Illico
“The Polar Express” is also available on Club illico, a French-language streaming service in Canada. To watch the movie on the platform, sign up for an account and avail any of the following plans:
| Plan | Price | Streaming quality | Simultaneous streams |
| Helix TV customer | CAD$5 | HD | 1 |
| Illico TV customer | CAD$5 | HD | 1 |
| Helix Internet service and non-Videotron customers | CAD$15 | HD | 1 |
“The Grinch” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” are some of the classic holiday films you can watch on Club illico.
Is The Polar Express Available for Rent (VOD)?
”The Polar Express” is available for rent or purchase on several video-on-demand services in Canada. Do take note that rented movies are available for a limited time only.
| Platform | Rent | Purchase |
| Cineplex Store | CAD$5.99 | CAD$10.99 |
| Google Play Store | CAD$4.99 | CAD$9.99 |
| Microsoft Store | CAD$4.99 | CAD$7.99 |
| Apple TV | CAD$4.99 | CAD$9.99 |
| Amazon Prime Video | CAD$4.99 | CAD$7.99 |
| Youtube Movies | CAD$4.99 | CAD$9.99 |
Is The Polar Express Available on Cable or Free TV?
“The Polar Express” is not airing on any cable networks or free TV in Canada.
Should I Use a VPN to Watch The Polar Express?
You will only need a VPN if you prefer to watch “The Polar Express” on Hulu. Otherwise, you can watch the film in Canada via Club illico without additional workarounds.
What Is The Polar Express About?
“The Polar Express” centers on a young boy, also referred to as Hero Boy, who has grown less enthusiastic about Christmas and skeptical of Santa Claus’ existence. On Christmas Eve, he sees The Polar Express outside his home, a passenger train that aims to take children to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus. The boy boards the train and meets other kids. Throughout the enchanting ride, he bonds with other whimsical characters from the train, like the friendly conductor and the mysterious hobo. As they reach the North Pole, they visit Santa’s workshop. There, the boy is chosen to receive the first of Christmas. He asks for a silver bell from Santa’s sleigh, which symbolizes the magic of believing. Upon returning home, the boy discovers that he has lost his bell. The next morning, he finds the bell under their Christmas tree. His parents, unable to hear the magical sound from the bell, think that it’s broken. But for him and his newfound belief in Christmas, the bell rings with a beautiful, bewitching sound.
“The Polar Express” hit theaters on November 10, 2004.
Who Are in the Cast and Production of The Polar Express?
Robert Zemericks, the American director behind hit films like “Back to the Future” and “Forrest Gump,” directed “The Polar Express,” based on Chris Van Alsburg’s eponymous children’s book. The animated film features voice performances from actors like Tom Hanks, Josh Hutcherson, Daryl Sabara, and more. Here’s the cast of “The Polar Express”:
- Daryl Sabara as Hero Boy
- Josh Hutcherson as Hero Boy
- Nona Gaye as Hero Girl
- Tom Hanks as Conductor / Santa Claus / Hobo
- Eddie Deezen as Know-It-All Kid
- Steven Tyler as Elf Lieutenant
- Chris Coppola as Elf Eddie
- Charles Fleischer as Elf General
- Michael Jeter as Smokey / Steamer
What is the Rating for The Polar Express?
“The Polar Express” is rated G. The film is suitable for audiences of all ages.
How Many People Watch The Polar Express?
“The Polar Express” was a commercial success, earning a total gross of $314.1 million at the box office. The film is currently the second-most popular movie on Hulu as well.
How Are the Reviews for The Polar Express?
“The Polar Express” received mixed reviews from critics. Some find the film’s animation style to be substandard and mediocre, while others appreciate the film for its heartwarming plot. Nonetheless, the film remains to be a classic Christmas film throughout the years.
“The Polar Express” holds an approval rating of 56% on Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s what critics say about the film:
- “As a spectacle, The Polar Express looks remarkable. As a film, however, it’s the equivalent of an elaborately wrapped Christmas present containing a nice new pair of socks.” – AV Club
- “People in Hollywood should never work with children or animals, W.C. Fields once said. Maybe that should be expanded to hyper-realistic computer-generated children and reindeer, too.” – Associated Press
A Yuletide Journey to the North
“The Polar Express” is a timeless tale of the enchanting spirit of Christmas and the transformative power of wonder and belief, in the hearts of both children and adults. As The Polar Express journeys through the icy and whimsical realm of the North Pole, the film reminds viewers that to feel the spirit of the holiday, one must learn to embrace the unknown and evoke a childlike sense of wonder.
You can watch “The Polar Express” on Hulu and Club illico in Canada.
