You can watch The Polar Express on several major streaming platforms right now, plus it’s widely available to rent or buy digitally.

Streaming services

Availability changes by country, but as of late 2025 these are the main options.

  • In the U.S., it is available via subscription on Max/HBO Max, Hulu and AMC/Philo bundles, and often appears in holiday rotations on cable channels like AMC and IFC.
  • In the U.K., it streams on Sky Go and Now TV Cinema.
  • In Australia and New Zealand, it is on Netflix (and also appears on Binge in Australia).
  • In Canada, it is available on Amazon Prime Video.

There are usually no permanent free-with-ads options like Tubi or Pluto; when people mention “free,” they typically mean using a free trial on a paid service.

Digital rental and purchase

If it’s not on a subscription you have, you can rent or buy the movie digitally on most major stores.

  • Rent or buy on:
    • Amazon Video / Prime Video Store
    • Apple TV / iTunes
    • Google Play Movies / YouTube
    • Vudu / Fandango at Home
    • Rakuten TV (in some regions)

These stores typically offer HD and sometimes 4K versions, with a 24–48 hour watch window for rentals.

Quick regional table

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Region Subscription streaming Rent/Buy (examples)
US Max/HBO Max, Hulu, AMC, Philo (plus seasonal airings on AMC/IFC)Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play/YouTube, Vudu/Fandango
UK Sky Go, Now TV CinemaApple TV, Amazon, Sky Store, Rakuten TV
Australia / NZ Netflix AU & NZ, Binge (AU)Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play/YouTube
Canada Amazon Prime Video (CA)Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play/YouTube

Holiday timing and TV

Around December, many U.S. cable channels schedule multiple airings (for example on AMC and IFC), often clustered in the week before Christmas. Checking your local listings or your live-TV app’s holiday movie hub is usually the fastest way to find a broadcast showing.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.