Best movies like The Polar Express
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 232000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA, Australia
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: feel good, computer animated, fairy tale, 3d animation, motion capture, sentimental, stylized, christmas special, light, inspirational
Best tv shows and movies like The Polar Express (2004):
Similar in 82%
Christmas Is Here Again (2007)
Plot Summary:
When the evil Krad steals Santa's toy bag, he crushes the holiday spirit- and over time, the world's children forget all about Christmas. Now, a wide-eyed orphan and her band of friends will embark on the polar adventure of a lifetime, as they try to stop Krad from destroying Christmas once and for all!.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 370
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 74 min
Plot tags: exciting, feel good, humorous, stylized, christmas special, touching, offbeat, semi serious
Similar in 88%
The Snowman (1982)
Plot Summary:
A young boy makes a snowman one Christmas Eve, which comes to life at midnight and takes the boy on a magical adventure to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 26 min
Plot tags: sweet, heartbreaking, sad, christmas special, touching, feel good, humorous, semi serious, 2d animation, nostalgic
Similar in 82%
Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving (1999)
Plot Summary:
A collection of Winnie the Pooh's memorable holiday adventures, as Winnie, Piglet, and Tigger set out to find the right ingredients for Winter, Rabbit learns how to manage a complicated Thanksgiving dinner, and everyone gets a special visit from a new friend. Featuring a number of delightful songs for singing along, this video is sure to become a favorite holiday classic.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA, Australia, Japan, Taiwan
Duration: 70 min
Plot tags: christmas special, anthology, touching, feel good, humorous, semi serious, 2d animation
Similar in 88%
Santa's Apprentice (2010)
Plot Summary:
Santa doesn't want to retire, but rules are rules and he must train someone to replace him. The lucky winner, to be chosen from among millions of children, must be named Nicholas, be an orphan and have a pure heart. On the other side of the planet, there is a little boy who is a perfect match, but his lack of self-confidence and fear of heights make him a poor contestant. Will Santa agree to step down, and help his apprentice take his place?.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 521
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Family
Country: Australia, France, Ireland
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, touching, anime, 2d animation
Similar in 85%
Charlotte's Web (1973)
Plot Summary:
Wilbur the pig is scared of the end of the season, because he knows that come that time, he will end up on the dinner table. He hatches a plan with Charlotte, a spider that lives in his pen, to ensure that this will never happen.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: colorful, light, sweet, feel good, humorous, sad, tear jerker, sentimental, anime, cult classic
Similar in 75%
The Pagemaster (1994)
Plot Summary:
Tyler knows a lot about accidents. So much so, he is scared to do anything that might endanger him, like riding his bike, or climbing into his treehouse. While in an old library, he is mystically transported into the unknown world of books, and he has to try and get home again. Along the way he meets some interesting characters, like Fantasy, Adventure, and Horror... Written by Colin Tinto.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 25000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, feel good, melancholic, touching, semi serious, stylized, sentimental, inspirational, epic, cult classic
Similar in 88%
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Plot Summary:
When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 189000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, India
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, touching, exciting, computer animated, witty, colorful, 3d animation, clever, cute, intense
Similar in 82%
Merry Madagascar (2009)
Plot Summary:
The Zoosters are back in an all-new holiday adventure. When Santa and his reindeer crash onto the island of Madagascar it's up to Alex, Marty, Gloria, Melman and those wacky penguins to save Christmas. Get ready for a sleigh full of laughs in this hilarious new holiday classic.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 28 min
Plot tags: christmas special, funny, entertaining, melancholic, light, feel good, humorous, stylized, not serious, computer animated
Similar in 85%
Moana (2016)
Plot Summary:
In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain's daughter's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the demigod to set things right.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 367000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, exciting, touching, entertaining, computer animated, colorful, sweet, emotional, 3d animation, anime
Similar in 79%
Klaus (2019)
Plot Summary:
A postman is posted to a frozen town in the North - where he discovers Santa Claus is hiding out.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 177000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: Spain, UK, USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: feel good, thought provoking, touching, sincere, funny, captivating, entertaining, colorful, sentimental, inspirational
Similar in 80%
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Plot Summary:
Andy heads off to Cowboy Camp, leaving his toys to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggen, owner of Al's Toy Barn kidnaps Woody. Andy's toys mount a daring rescue mission, Buzz Lightyear meets his match and Woody has to decide where he and his heart truly belong.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 610000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, Japan
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: feel good, 3d animation, humorous, funny, fairy tale, emotional, entertaining, saga, uplifting, sad
Similar in 78%
Storks (2016)
Plot Summary:
Storks deliver babies…or at least they used to. Now they deliver packages for a global internet retail giant. Junior, the company’s top delivery stork, is about to be promoted when he accidentally activates the Baby Making Machine, producing an adorable and wholly unauthorized baby girl.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 66000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: feel good, entertaining, computer animated, touching, absurd, colorful, funny, humorous, sweet, 3d animation
Similar in 81%
Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas (2004)
Plot Summary:
Santa Claus, Mickey Mouse and all his Disney pals star in an original movie about the importance of opening your heart to the true spirit of Christmas. Stubborn old Donald tries in vain to resist the joys of the season, and Mickey and Pluto learn a great lesson about the power of friendship.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, Australia
Duration: 68 min
Plot tags: light, anthology, 3d animation, computer animated, light hearted, feel good, humorous, not serious, christmas special
Similar in 82%
Shrek the Halls (2007)
Plot Summary:
The Christmas tree isn't the only thing green in this new holiday classic. Shrek is back and trying to get into the spirit of the season. After promising Fiona and the kids a Christmas they'll remember, he is forced to take a crash course in the holiday. But just when he thinks he has everything for their quiet family Christmas just right, there is a knock at the door.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Animation, Short, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 21 min
Plot tags: christmas special, humorous, witty, fairy tale, feel good, not serious, computer animated, entertaining, 3d animation, exciting
Similar in 89%
Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976)
Plot Summary:
Rudolph must find Happy, the baby new year, before the midnight of New Year's Eve.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA, Japan
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: christmas special, claymation, touching, feel good, humorous, semi serious, fairy tale, crying
Similar in 76%
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Plot Summary:
When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but is a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus' help to learn the meaning of Christmas.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 42000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Family, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 25 min
Plot tags: christmas special, sweet, touching, feel good, humorous, semi serious, sentimental, light, atmospheric, thought provoking
Similar in 89%
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys (2001)
Plot Summary:
When the mysterious Toy Taker grabs all of Santa's toys, it looks like the children will miss out on Christmas. But everyone's favorite reindeer, Rudolph, comes to the rescue with his lovable friends: Hermey the elf, Yukon Cornelius the grizzly prospector, the abominable snow monster Bumbles and Rudolph's very special friend Clarice. Together, they promise Santa they'll track down Toy Taker and rescue Santa's toy. Their incredible quest takes them on a wild adventure with Rudolph's red nose leading the way! This new family holiday favorite features the voices of Jamie Lee Curtis, Richard Dreyfuss and Rick Moranis. The soundtrack includes seven new holiday songs and features the classic original song performed by Tony Bennett. With amazing state-of-the-art animation and great new songs, kids of all ages will treasure this musical adventure forever.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA, Canada, Hong Kong
Duration: 74 min
Plot tags: christmas special, feel good, touching, humorous, stylized, semi serious, offbeat
Similar in 85%
A Miser Brothers' Christmas (2008)
Plot Summary:
A Miser Brothers' Christmas is a sequel to the classic 1974 television special The Year Without a Santa Claus. The stop-motion animated special, produced by Warner Brothers Television Animation (owners of the post-1973 Rankin/Bass animated special library) and Toronto-based Cuppa Coffee Studios, premiered as part of ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas on December 13, 2008. Mickey Rooney reprised his role of Santa Claus, which originally debuted in the 1970 special Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, while George S. Irving reprised his role as the Heat Miser. Original music was written by William K. Anderson, with the exception of "Snow Miser/Heat Miser", which was written by Maury Laws and Jules Bass for the 1974 special. Eddie Guzelian (Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch) wrote the story and Dave Barton Thomas directed. The special was nominated for the 2008 Annie Award for Best Animated Television Production.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: humorous, light, entertaining, christmas special, feel good, captivating, exciting, stylized, semi serious
Similar in 78%
Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (2011)
Plot Summary:
When Sid accidentally destroys Manny's heirloom Christmas rock and ends up on Santa's naughty list, he leads a hilarious quest to the North Pole to make things right and ends up making things much worse. Now it's up to Manny and his prehistoric posse to band together and save Christmas for the entire world!.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 26 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, not serious, 3d animation, light, christmas special, anime, computer animated, naughty
Similar in 78%
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Plot Summary:
A discarded silk top-hat becomes the focus of a struggle between a washed-up stage magician and a group of schoolchildren, after it magically brings a snowman to life. Realizing that newly-living Frosty will melt in spring unless he takes refuge in a colder climate, Frosty and Karen, a young girl who he befriends, stow away on a freight train headed for the north pole. Little do they know that the magician is following them, and he wants his hat back!.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Animation, Short, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 25 min
Plot tags: sweet, christmas special, anime, crying, feel good, humorous, semi serious, fairy tale, sentimental, light
Similar in 87%
The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
Plot Summary:
Feeling forgotten by the children of the world, old St. Nick decides to skip his gift-giving journey and take a vacation. Mrs. Claus and two spunky little elves, Jingle and Jangle, set out to see to where all the season's cheer has disappeared. Aided by a magical snowfall, they reawaken the spirit of Christmas in children's hearts and put Santa back in action.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA, Japan
Duration: 51 min
Plot tags: claymation, feel good, humorous, semi serious, christmas special, nostalgic
Similar in 82%
'Twas the Night Before Christmas (1974)
Plot Summary:
When a town learns that Santa Claus has struck it off his delivery schedule due to an insulting letter, a way must be found to change his mind.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 25 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, intellectual, christmas special, 2d animation
Similar in 84%
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970)
Plot Summary:
A postman, S.D. Kluger, decides to answer some of the most common questions about Santa Claus, and tells us about a small baby named Kris who is raised by a family of elf toymakers named Kringle. When Kris grew up, he wanted to deliver toys to the children of Sombertown. But its Mayor is too mean to let that happen. And to make things worse, the Winter Warlock who lives between the Kringles and Sombertown, but Kris manages to melt the Warlock's heart and deliver his toys.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA, Japan
Duration: 48 min
Plot tags: feel good, touching, humorous, semi serious, sweet, christmas special, banned
Similar in 81%
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Plot Summary:
Each Christmas, Santa and his vast army of highly trained elves produce gifts and distribute them around the world in one night. However, when one of 600 million children to receive a gift from Santa on Christmas Eve is missed, it is deemed ‘acceptable’ to all but one – Arthur. Arthur Claus is Santa’s misfit son who executes an unauthorized rookie mission to get the last present half way around the globe before dawn on Christmas morning.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 65000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: humorous, stylized, touching, exciting, entertaining, colorful, 3d animation, computer animated, christmas special, feel good
Similar in 79%
The Grinch (2018)
Plot Summary:
The Grinch hatches a scheme to ruin Christmas when the residents of Whoville plan their annual holiday celebration.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 84000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: France, USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: light, 3d animation, touching, entertaining, fairy tale, humorous, computer animated, sad, anime, smart
Similar in 85%
A Christmas Carol (2009)
Plot Summary:
Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with his own story of growing bitterness and meanness, and must decide what his own future will hold: death or redemption.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 126000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: feel good, christmas special, 3d animation, colorful, light, computer animated, humorous, sentimental, fairy tale, motion capture
Similar in 78%
Coraline (2009)
Plot Summary:
When Coraline moves to an old house, she feels bored and neglected by her parents. She finds a hidden door with a bricked up passage. During the night, she crosses the passage and finds a parallel world where everybody has buttons instead of eyes, with caring parents and all her dreams coming true. When the Other Mother invites Coraline to stay in her world forever, the girl refuses and finds that the alternate reality where she is trapped is only a trick to lure her.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 257000
Genere: Animation, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, Japan
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: gothic, surreal, dark fantasy, dark, scary, stylized, bleak, offbeat, disturbing, visually appealing
Similar in 85%
Toy Story (1995)
Plot Summary:
Led by Woody, Andy's toys live happily in his room until Andy's birthday brings Buzz Lightyear onto the scene. Afraid of losing his place in Andy's heart, Woody plots against Buzz. But when circumstances separate Buzz and Woody from their owner, the duo eventually learns to put aside their differences.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 10000000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, Japan
Duration: 81 min
Plot tags: touching, computer animated, exciting, funny, 3d animation, feel good, humorous, fairy tale, sentimental, entertaining
Similar in 89%
Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014)
Plot Summary:
During a post-Christmas play date, the gang find themselves in uncharted territory when the coolest set of action figures ever turn out to be dangerously delusional. It's all up to Trixie, the triceratops, if the gang hopes to return to Bonnie's room in this Toy Story That Time Forgot.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 22 min
Plot tags: humorous, sweet, christmas special, entertaining, light, exciting, feel good, semi serious, stylized, fairy tale
Similar in 84%
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
Plot Summary:
Bitter and hateful, the Grinch is irritated at the thought of the nearby village having a happy time celebrating Christmas. So disguised as Santa Claus, with his dog made to look like a reindeer, he raids the village to steal all the Christmas things. The village is sure to have a sad Christmas this year.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 57000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 26 min
Plot tags: christmas special, colorful, atmospheric, feel good, semi serious, sweet, cult classic, humorous, fairy tale, sentimental