Title: The Polar Express 2: The Return Journey
Starring: Tom Hanks (multiple roles), Millie Bobby Brown (voice of Lucy), Jacob Tremblay (voice of Leo)
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: December 5, 2025
Estimated Budget: $185 million
Format: Full-length 3D animated film

Set twenty years after the original magical ride to the North Pole, The Polar Express 2: The Return Journey brings back Tom Hanks in multiple roles, using advanced motion-capture technology even more refined than the 2004 classic. The story follows Lucy, a bright and skeptical 12-year-old girl whose father was once the boy from the first Polar Express journey. Struggling to believe in anything magical after her mother’s passing, Lucy boards the train with her younger brother, Leo, on Christmas Eve.

Guided again by the mysterious and endearing Conductor (Hanks), Lucy and Leo travel through dazzling new locations like the Ice Caverns of Silence and the Aurora Cliffs — new realms of the North Pole not seen before. Along the way, they encounter characters from other magical regions, including a retired elf general and a library that holds the dreams of children from around the world.

As Lucy uncovers the truth behind her father’s journey, she realizes that belief isn’t just about magic — it’s about connection, love, and hope. In an emotional third act, the train breaks down during a blizzard, and it’s up to Lucy to rally the passengers’ belief to help it move again. The film ends with a heartfelt reunion at the North Pole, where Santa (Hanks again) gives her a special bell once owned by her father.

CONCLUSION (Budget Spend):
With a staggering $185 million budget, The Polar Express 2 features cutting-edge photoreal animation, orchestral music by Alan Silvestri, and voice performances recorded across three continents. It’s a heartwarming, visually majestic sequel that captures the spirit of the original while introducing a new generation to the power of belief.