The Polar Express

NZ release: 09 December 2004

Suitable for General Audiences Rated on: 09 December 2004

Polar Express

What’s it about?

On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express.

The facts

  • Directed by Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Back to the Future Trilogy)
  • English language
  • Runtime: 99 minutes
  • Starring Tom Hanks
  • Based on Chris Van Allsburg’s 1985 book of the same name, The Polar Express

Why did it get this rating?

This film was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.

Horror

There is a short scene where a character walks through a room filled with puppets. One of them lunges towards the character terrifying them before they run off.

Dangerous imitable behaviour

The characters often find themselves in dangerous situations. For example, they often walk on top of the fast-moving train carriages.

Further information

Recent featured decisions

12 May 2026

Age rating and content warnings

Sasha is an experienced climber and kayaker grieving the death of her husband. She heads into the Australian wilderness for a solo adventure. What starts as a trip to clear her head turns into a brutal fight for survival when she discovers a seemingly friendly local is actually hunting her through the remote national park.

Read more

21 April 2026

Mortal Kombat II

Mortal Kombat 2

Graphic violence and offensive language

A fantasy-action film based on the popular Mortal Kombat game series. In this instalment, Johnny Cage joins other fighters from Earthrealm as they battle Shao Khan from the Outerworld.

Read more