Dr. Mac Christian Movie Reviews: The Polar Express (2004)

“It’s a magical midnight train ride to the North Pole — but does this Christmas adventure warm kids’ hearts or leave parents scratching their heads?”

A young boy stands in awe before a magnificent, steam-powered train under a starry winter sky in this enchanting poster for "The Polar Express," featuring the tagline, "This Holiday Season... Believe."

📖 Quick Snapshot

Based on Chris Van Allsburg’s beloved book, The Polar Express tells the story of a boy who doubts Santa Claus until he hops on a mysterious train bound for the North Pole. Tom Hanks voices half the characters (yes, really), and the movie blends heartwarming Christmas visuals with uncanny animation that… well, let’s just say those eyes are unforgettable (and not always in a good way).

🗣️ Language & Profanity

• Profanity count: Virtually none (a relief here!).

• Insults: “Stupid,” “jerk,” and other childish name-calling, mostly from the “know-it-all” kid.

• Tone: Safe, though a little sarcastic at times.

😬 Inappropriate or Questionable Content

• Spiritual confusion: The movie emphasizes “believe in Santa” as the ultimate truth. It replaces faith in Christ with faith in Christmas magic, which can be misleading for Christian families.

• Scary moments: The hobo ghost on top of the train, the creepy marionette scene, and the train nearly derailing could unsettle sensitive kids.

• Santa as savior: The climax equates belief in Santa with salvation. This is the biggest theological problem for Christian households.

✝️ The Christian Parent Grading Scale

Category	Grade	Explanation
Biblical Truth & Redemption	D	Faith is misdirected toward Santa instead of Jesus.
Suitability for Kids (6–12)	B	Mostly safe but with a few intense and spooky scenes.
Language & Cleanliness	A-	No profanity, just childish insults.
Family & Emotional Engagement	B+	Visuals are memorable, but the story drifts into fantasy confusion.
Overall Christian Values	D+	Promotes belief in Santa as life’s ultimate truth, which is concerning.

🛠️ The Filter Fix

Thank goodness for VidAngel and Enjoy Movies Your Way:

• Mute name-calling and insults.

• Skip scary scenes with the marionette or ghostly hobo.

• Parents: pause after the film to re-center the conversation around Christ, not Santa.

🧑‍⚕️ Dr. Mac’s Verdict

🚦 Red-to-Yellow Light — It looks magical and has heartwarming elements, but the theological confusion makes this one tricky for Christian parents. With guidance and filters, it can be redeemed as a fun holiday watch — but only if you anchor it back to the true meaning of Christmas.

Best Age Range: 8+ (with discussion)

Family Discussion Starter: “What does the Bible say about belief and faith?” (Hebrews 11:1 — Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see).