The Polar Express Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play In The Christmas Movie

The Polar Express is somewhat of a modern Christmas staple, driven by an expansive soundtrack of original and pre-existing songs, and here is when each one plays in the movie. Although there are some harsh realities of watching The Polar Express 20 years after its original release, such as the uncanny valley aspect of the film’s CGI main characters, the film remains one that successfully conveys the magic of Christmas. The reason for this is The Polar Express‘ overall feeling of warmth and heart, which enables it to be one of the best Santa Claus movies two decades later.

This, combined with The Polar Express’ strong voice cast that is spearheaded by Tom Hanks in several roles, makes the film one of the few post-2000s Christmas movies to be solidified as a classic. This has even led to the development of The Polar Express 2, with many hoping the potential sequel captures the same Christmas spirit as the first. A big factor that contributed to the first movie’s sense of yuletide joy was The Polar Express’ soundtrack, with many holiday classics, original songs, and orchestral compositions translating the magic of a Christmas journey to the North Pole throughout the film.

When Every Song On The Polar Express Soundtrack Plays In The Movie

The Polar Express’ 14 Songs Are Spread Out Across Its 100-Minute Runtime

“The Polar Express” by Tom Hanks: The first song credited on The Polar Express’ soundtrack is eponymous with the film. This song is primarily sung by an orchestra of children when it plays in the film, but also by Tom Hanks, who sings some voice lines in the version heard in The Polar Express’ credits. Perhaps the most famous original song in the film, it is written by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri and can be heard once briefly when Hero Boy first enters the titular train, and again in full musical format when the children make it to the North Pole.

“When Christmas Comes to Town” by Matthew Hall and Meagan Moore: “When Christmas Comes to Town” is another of The Polar Express’ original songs, written once more by Ballard and Silvestri. In the film, this song can be heard being performed by Hero Girl and Billy shortly before the train enters the North Pole. The song is about experiencing the many joys of Christmas for the former, and the lack of such experiences for the latter.

“Rockin’ on Top of the World” by Steven Tyler: Another song written by Ballard and Silvestri for The Polar Express, “Rockin’ on Top of the World” is credited as the third song on the film’s soundtrack. A neat hidden detail of this song is that it is performed by the lead singer of Aerosmith, Steven Tyler. In the film, this song plays in the third act after Santa Claus leaves to deliver his presents and the elves of the North Pole throw a party.

“Believe” by Josh Groban: This song is arguably the one most associated with The Polar Express from the film’s soundtrack. The reason for this is that it can be heard countless times throughout the film as an instrumental, as it is the main theme of Alan Silvestri’s orchestral score. The version sung by Josh Groban closes out the film, beginning as the end credits begin to roll.

“Hot Chocolate” by Tom Hanks: Most of The Polar Express‘ other original songs are heard in the latter stages of the film. “Hot Chocolate,” however, is heard in the film’s first act. The song plays shortly after Hero Boy first gets on the titular train, with Hanks’ Conductor performing it as he and other attendants on the vehicle provide the children with hot chocolate.

“Spirit of the Season” by Alan Silvestri: “Spirit of the Season” is another song on The Polar Express’ soundtrack that links to the film’s orchestral score. Silvestri uses the instrumental for this song several times throughout the movie, including when Hero Boy, Hero Girl, Billy, and Know-it-all are being carried to the North Pole Square by the giant Zeppelin in The Polar Express’ third act. It is counted as a song on the film’s soundtrack given the lyrics sung by the elves shortly after this scene, when they are attaching Santa’s reindeer to his sleigh and hanging the silver bells on their harness.

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“Seeing is Believing” by Alan Silvestri: Another orchestral track that is credited on The Polar Express’ soundtrack is “Seeing is Believing.” Written by Alan Silvestri, this track has two distinct halves that are heard at different points throughout the movie. The first half can be heard when Hero Boy is talking with the ghostly hobo atop the titular train, with the second half not being heard until Santa’s sleigh circles the North Pole at the end of the film.

“Santa Clause Is Comin’ to Town” by Frank Sinatra: This song appears in two different versions in the finale of The Polar Express. Firstly, the elves, the children, and the Conductor sing a cover of this song to build up to Santa’s entrance to the North Pole Square. After Santa makes himself known, Frank Sinatra’s cover plays over speakers at the North Pole before becoming drowned out. This slowed version plays until Hero Boy picks up the silver bell from the sleigh and utters that he believes in Santa.

“White Christmas” by Bing Crosby: The Polar Express uses Bing Crosby’s cover of “White Christmas” in its final act. This song can be heard playing over loudspeakers when Hero Boy, Hero Girl, and Billy initially land in Santa’s big bag of toys.

“Winter Wonderland” by The Andrews Sisters: As with “White Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland” plays as Hero Boy, Hero Girl, and Billy explore the North Pole. Specifically, the version by The Andrews Sisters is heard over a loudspeaker when the train car they are in comes to a stop at a turntable.

“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Perry Como with The Fontane Sisters: As with the previous few songs, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” plays during the journey through the North Pole in The Polar Express’ last act. This song plays over another loudspeaker as Hero Boy, Hero Girl, and Billy run down a bouncy walkway through the wrapping station of the North Pole.

“Silver Bells” by Kate Smith: This is the other song, like “Winter Wonderland,” that skips multiple times as it is played in The Polar Express. “Silver Bells” plays as the children leave the aforementioned turntable and make their way through the North Pole village. The song is playing on a record player inside one of the houses, which starts to skip before the song ends.

“Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)” by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters: After the children leave the North Pole village and the record players behind, they enter a surveillance room. As multiple elves are arguing over how to deal with a naughty child, “Here Comes Santa Claus” is heard playing on a loudspeaker. The final inclusion on The Polar Express’ soundtrack is a suite by Alan Silvestri, comprising of a blend of several other songs in the list.

Where To Listen To The Polar Express Soundtrack

The soundtrack for The Polar Express contains many Christmas classics with the now-beloved original songs crafted for the film. As such, many will wonder where they can listen to the soundtrack, which is available in a variety of places. Streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify include the soundtrack in full, and several other outlets allow the songs for rental or sale. In the run-up to Christmas each year, having a soundtrack as varied and full of Christmas spirit as The Polar Express‘ is will make yuletide celebrations all the better.

Based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express is an animated holiday-fantasy film by director Robert Zemeckis. A young boy is spirited away on Christmas Eve aboard the magical Polar Express, where he meets new friends on a journey to rediscover their belief in Christmas.

Director

Robert Zemeckis

Release Date

November 10, 2004

Writers

Robert Zemeckis , William Broyles Jr.

Cast

Tom Hanks , Daryl Sabara , Nona Gaye , Jimmy Bennett , Eddie Deezen , Peter Scolari , Michael Jeter

Runtime

100 Minutes