The film is listed in the 2006 Guinness Book of World Records as the "first all-digital capture" film, where all acted parts were done in digital capture.
Three different actors play the role of Hero Boy. Tom Hanks does the motion capturing and adult voice, Daryl Sabara does the voice acting, and Josh Hutcherson does additional motion capturing.
The film used 3D motion capture techniques to digitally record the actors' physical performances before "skinning" them with their animated forms. The children's roles were acted by adults, using oversized props to get the movement right.
The movie is based on the book "The Polar Express." Author Chris Van Alsburg also wrote "Jumanji" and "Zathura."
Warner Bros.' first computer-animated film.