All 7 Characters Tom Hanks Plays In The Polar Express (2024)

Tom Hanks played seven roles in Christmas favorite The Polar Express, some of which are easier to spot than others. Based on the children's picture book by Chris Van Allsburg (Jumanji), The Polar Express became famous/infamous for its extensive use of motion capture. Director Robert Zemeckis was a proponent of this technique, as it freed him to place the camera wherever he wished. Despite this, the film was heavily criticized for its uncanny valley visuals, with many critics being particularly unnerved by the lifeless eyes of the movie's main characters.

In hindsight, the animation for the human characters can be unsettling, but the movie has nevertheless become a Christmas movie classic. While Zemeckis once claimed he would stick with motion capture for the rest of his career, after the mixed reception to his follow-ups Beowulf and A Christmas Carol, he returned to live-action with 2012's Flight. Tom Hanks once considered playing every role in Polar Express, but later reduced that number to a mere seven.

8

7 The Hero Boy

While his distinctive features can be seen in several other characters, some viewers are shocked to learn Hanks also played Polar Express' main character, The Hero Boy. The character's name is never revealed in the Robert Zemeckis movie, but behind-the-scenes information states he's called Chris, in honor of the book's author. In the movie, Hero Boy has grown skeptical about Santa Claus' existence, which is why he's granted a ticket aboard the titular train to meet Santa and see the North Pole for himself. Of course, he learns the true meaning of Christmas along the way - but not before some misadventures.

Where to watch The Polar Express

Hanks provided the motion capture for "Chris," including his facial expressions. The boy's actual voice was provided by Spy Kids' Daryl Sabara, while future Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson provided additional motion capture for Hero Boy. On Hanks' side, he plays the role with a sense of curiosity and optimism but remains guarded about Santa actually being real.

6 The Hero Boy's Father

Hanks also plays Hero Boy's Father in The Polar Express, who is never seen clearly. Hanks gives the part a genuine warmth, however, and is overheard stating his hope Chris hasn't given up on believing in Christmas. The ending also makes it clear Hero Boy's parents can't hear the bell Santa personally gifted the boy, meaning that, like most adults, they no longer believe in Santa Claus.

5 The Conductor

The punctual, slightly uptight Conductor is one of the most prominent characters and the character who is most clearly modeled after Hanks. The Conductor is in charge of getting the train to the North Pole on time, and while he's intent on giving the children onboard a good journey, he's always stressed out about making sure the train isn't late. Hanks' Conductor is often irritated by the Hero Boy's antics, but there's a kind soul beneath the grumpy exterior.

4 The Hobo

Hanks is also recognizable as the Hobo who rides the Polar Express for free, whom Hero Boy meets on top of the train. The character has a manic energy and doesn't believe in Santa either, though he helps Chris out at several points in the story regardless.

Related:

The movie later reveals Hanks' Hobo is a ghost, and only Hero Boy can actually see him. A deleted scene revealed the character's backstory too, explaining he was killed while riding atop the Polar Express years before and now reappears every Christmas.

3 The Ebenezer Scrooge Puppet

During the nightmarish sequence where Chris is attacked by a group of puppets, this gang is led by an Ebenezer Scrooge doll. The puppet claims Hero Boy is a doubter, though it's soon revealed he's being controlled by the Hobo from atop the train's roof. Still, the Ebenezer Scrooge puppet is often credited as another character for Hanks, and it has to be said, he's quite creepy in the role.

2 Santa Claus

Since The Polar Express is all about the journey to the North Pole, it's only right Santa himself eventually turns up. He appears before Hero Boy after he finally admits he believes in Christmas, with Hanks projecting a friendly authority as Santa. It's a fairly traditional take on the character, which is completely fine, given that the film is all about the magic of the festive season itself.

1 The Narrator

Just like the Ebenezer Scrooge doll is essentially the Hobo in disguise, The Narrator is simply an older version of The Hero Boy. Hanks' Narrator opens and closes the story, revealing the bell Santa gifted Chris allowed him to believe in Christmas for the rest of his life. Since the character is never seen in The Polar Express, there's not much to differentiate Tom Hanks' take from The Hero Boy's Father.