Classic Christmas Film Screens
A timeless tale of adventure and self-discovery is coming to The Avenue Theatre in Sittingbourne. The Polar Express, a beloved animated film, will be screened on various dates, offering a magical experience for audiences of all ages.
Dir: Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Tom Hanks, Leslie Zemeckis, Eddie Deezen, Nona Gaye, Peter Scolari, Michael Jeter, Josh Hutcherson, Daryl Sabara
100 mins · 2004 · United States of America · Cert U · English
IMDb 6.6/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 55% · Metacritic 61/100 · TMDB 6.7/10 · Trakt 71%
Awards: Nominated for 3 Oscars. 5 wins & 26 nominations total
The Polar Express (U) Screen @ The Avenue
21 Nov 2026 – 23 Jan 2027
The Avenue Theatre (Sittingbourne)
What is it about The Polar Express that has captivated audiences for so long? The film tells the story of a young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas along the way.
Are the filmmakers behind this classic film well-known? The Polar Express was directed by Robert Zemeckis, who co-wrote the screenplay with William Broyles Jr., and stars Tom Hanks in multiple roles, along with Daryl Sabara, Nona Gaye, and Eddie Deezen.
How has The Polar Express been received by audiences and critics? The film has received mixed reviews from critics, with some calling it an "instant Christmas classic" and others criticizing the characters as "lifeless zombies", but it has been well-received by audiences, with a 71% score on Trakt and a 6.7/10 score on TMDB, and has won several awards, including nominations for three Oscars.
The Polar Express will be screened at The Avenue Theatre in Sittingbourne on Saturday, 21 November 2026, and will run until Saturday, 23 January 2027. Tickets and details are available with the button beside this article.
Stills
What viewers say
AndrewBloom · 5/10
[4.8/10] *The Polar Express* is based on a thirty-page children’s book. I loved that book when I was a kid, but part of what I appreciated about is that it was a straightforward dose of imagination. It’s less a story than a chance to put yourself in the shoes of the protagonist, and picture yourself on a trip to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus himself. There’s very little conflict, very little in terms of identifiable characters, with most of…
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El Turco · 10/10
One of my favourite childhood cartoon. What a beautiful, calm and peaceful experience this was. 10/10.
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ItsWilder · 10/10
Although I’ve seen this movie more times than I can count, this year was special. Watching it through SharePlay & FaceTime with my 77 yr old parents who live 600 miles away made it “extra” special.
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Chinalover33 · 8/10
While the animation has not aged well, I always enjoy watching this movie during Christmas time. The story behind this movie is so fun to imagine and makes me want to be a kid again during Christmas.
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laurenshikari · 7/10
this whole movie feels like an extremely long video game cutscene . like it feels like you should be able to control it but you can’t... you just have to watch the Chaos
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shaneleexcx1234 · 10/10
"At one time, all of my friends could hear the bell. But as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me. As it does for all who truly believe." I truly adore Polar express its between this and Gremlins for my favourite Christmas movie I prefer gremlins as I actually film but for the Christmas feeling the polar express…
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The_Argentinian
I never cared about watching this but decided to check out how it looks in 4k. I'm surprised at how invested in the story I was. I see now how it's a modern Christmas classic. Regarding the animation, it's easier to accept it when it doesn't go for realism (that's why nobody complains about how old Pixar movies look). But this looks like videogame cutscenes. It's the only dated thing about it.
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Mr. Sackamano · 7/10
Kids like it so I guess we're watching again ugh thankfully Lethal Weapon is an xmas movie too
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