How to watch 'The Polar Express': Streaming info, TV channel showtimes, cast

Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY
·2 min read
A scene from the computer animated motion picture "The Polar Express".
A scene from the computer animated motion picture "The Polar Express".

Want a glimpse of what happens at the North Pole? Where Santa lives? Hop aboard "The Polar Express" for a magical tour of Santa Claus' home.

The 1994 holiday classic, which has also become a Christmas tradition, is about a boy who boards a mysterious train that whisks him to the North Pole on Christmas Eve after the whole town has gone to sleep.

At the North Pole, the young boy meets Santa, who offers him any gift he wants. The boy asks Santa for a bell from Santa's reindeer's harness. The bell gets lost on the way back home. However, come Christmas morning, the boy finds the bell under the Christmas tree.

Here's where you can catch the holiday classic on TV and on streaming.

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How to watch 'The Polar Express' on TV: Showtimes

The movie is scheduled to air on AMC nationwide throughout the month of December during AMC's annual “Best Christmas Ever” event, that celebrates the holiday season from Nov. 26 to Dec. 26.

The movie will air on the following dates and times between now and Christmas:

  • Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 10 p.m.

  • Thursday, Dec. 21 at 10 p.m.

  • Friday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.

  • Sunday, Dec. 24 at 3 p.m.

  • Monday, Dec. 25 at 12 p.m.

A scene from the computer animated motion picture "The Polar Express."
A scene from the computer animated motion picture "The Polar Express."

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How to watch 'The Polar Express' on streaming

You can stream "The Polar Express" on Max, Hulu and Max Amazon Channel.

Max plans start at $9.99 per month, while Hulu plans start at $7.99 per month.

Buy or rent 'The Polar Express'

The holiday classic is available to for rent on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Google Play and YouTube for $3.99.

It is also available for purchase on the same. You can buy it in high definition or 4K from $7.99.

Who is in 'The Polar Express' cast?

Actor Tom Hanks arrives at the premiere of "Polar Express" and the Grauman's Chinese Theatre on November 7, 2004 in Hollywood, California.
Actor Tom Hanks arrives at the premiere of "Polar Express" and the Grauman's Chinese Theatre on November 7, 2004 in Hollywood, California.

  • Tom Hanks as Hero Boy

  • Nona Gaye as Hero Girl

  • Peter Scolari as Billy the Lonely Boy

  • Eddie Deezen as Know-it-all

  • Michael Jeter as Smokey and Steamer

  • Chris Coppola as Gus the Toothless Boy and an Elf

  • Leslie Zemeckis as Sister Sarah and Hero Boy's mother

  • Dylan Cash as Boy on Train

  • Brendan King and Andy Pellick as Pastry Chefs

  • Julene Renee as Red Head Girl and an Elf

  • Charles Fleischer as Elf General

  • Steven Tyler as Elf Lieutenant and Elf Singer

'The Polar Express' trailer

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where to watch 'The Polar Express': Streaming info, TV showtimes