Tom Hanks’ Controversial Christmas Movie Achieves Streaming Popularity for 20th Anniversary Celebration

Tom Hanks has once again found a spotlight on his Christmas adventure film, as it celebrates its 20th anniversary and enjoys a resurgence in streaming popularity. Known for his prominent collaborations with director Steven Spielberg, Hanks has also frequently partnered with Robert Zemeckis, marking a fruitful creative relationship that kicked off with the iconic film Forrest Gump in 1994, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. A reunion with Zemeckis in 2000 for Cast Away also led to another Oscar nomination for Hanks.

Hanks’ recent work with Zemeckis includes the live-action adaptation of Pinocchio (2022), where he portrayed Geppetto, and the upcoming release Here (2024), which features innovative digital de-aging techniques. Beyond his acclaimed acting roles, Hanks has become a household name in animation as well, most notably for voicing Woody in the beloved Toy Story franchise. Moreover, their collaboration extends into the animated world with the festive classic, The Polar Express, released in 2004.

The Polar Express: A Streaming Delight for the Holidays

Celebrating Two Decades of a Divisive Holiday Classic

The Polar Express, which has been described as a polarizing yet beloved Christmas film, is reliving its glory with notable streaming success that coincides with its 20th anniversary. Based on the classic 1985 children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, the film was co-written and directed by Robert Zemeckis. It centers around a boy’s enchanting journey to the North Pole on a magical train to meet Santa Claus, and features Tom Hanks voicing multiple characters alongside an impressive ensemble cast that includes Daryl Sabara, Nona Gaye, Jimmy Bennett, and Eddie Deezen.

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, The Polar Express has soared back into the streaming charts, achieving a notable rank of No. 3 on Disney+ and No. 6 on Hulu as of December 23. This places it alongside holiday classics such as Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, The Santa Clause, Elf, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Additionally, the film is also available for streaming on Max.

Implications of The Polar Express’ Streaming Success

Ongoing Success Amidst Controversy

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Despite its streaming resurgence, The Polar Express remains a topic of debate, primarily due to its unique visual approach that blends live-action and motion-capture animation for its characters. While some critics laud its visual elements, others criticize the animation of human figures, arguing that it lacks realism. This was particularly noticeable given that it was the first fully motion-capture animated feature film. Additionally, some viewers felt that the narrative stretched beyond the confines of the original children’s story.

Over the years, however, The Polar Express has enjoyed considerable commercial success, initially grossing $286 million at the box office against a production budget of approximately $165–170 million, setting a record for animated films at that time. With re-releases, its total global earnings have exceeded $318 million. The film’s current streaming success only reinforces its position as a holiday favorite that, regardless of its polarizing elements, continues to enchant audiences with the magical spirit of Christmas.

Source: Disney+/Hulu

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