By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Coral Gables Art Cinema closes out the year with a seasonal tradition that feels as warm and familiar as a cup of cocoa on a cool December morning. On Saturday, December 13, and Sunday, December 14, the theater will present The Polar Express as part of its monthly Family Day program, a community-oriented series designed to bring families together around beloved stories and cinematic classics. The screenings begin at 11 a.m. each day, and, in keeping with the series’ mission, admission follows a “pay what you can” model, with a suggested contribution of $5 per person.

The program continues to thrive through a partnership supported by the Coral Gables Community Foundation and Grove Bank & Trust, two organizations that have invested deeply in widening access to the arts. Their support allows the cinema to maintain a pricing structure that removes barriers and encourages families of all backgrounds to share a cultural experience. In a year when holiday events often come with rising costs, this approach stands out for its simplicity and generosity.

A film that defined a modern holiday aesthetic

Released in 2004 and directed by Robert Zemeckis, The Polar Express has steadily become part of the holiday canon. It arrived at a moment when digital animation was still in transition, and Zemeckis’ motion-capture techniques represented a leap forward in scale and ambition. The New York Daily News described the film as “a sensation — both a milestone in computer animation and a likely Christmas classic,” a prediction that has largely proven true.

Two decades later, the film carries a layered legacy. For young viewers, it remains a kinetic adventure about boarding a midnight train to the North Pole. For adults, it often calls up memories of the film’s early theatrical run and the novelty of its visual effects. Coral Gables Art Cinema’s 4K DCP presentation accentuates the light, shadow, and texture that were groundbreaking at its release and continue to hold visual power. The story’s emotional core — a young boy learning to trust the intangible — remains intact.

Based on Chris Van Allsburg’s 1985 book, the film follows a young boy who boards a mysterious train to the North Pole late on Christmas Eve. The journey leads him to Santa, who offers him any gift he desires; he chooses a single bell from a reindeer harness. The bell is lost on the ride home but reappears under the Christmas tree the next morning. When he shakes it, he hears a clear, shimmering tone, though his parents cannot. The story turns this simple moment into a metaphor for belief, reinforcing the idea that wonder remains audible only to those who choose to hear it. Zemeckis illustrated the same theme through the film’s most quoted line: “It doesn’t matter where the train is going. What matters is deciding to get on.”

The cinema’s December screenings tend to draw multigenerational audiences, and The Polar Express is especially well-suited for that environment. The film’s pacing, music, and themes make it accessible for children, while its nostalgia resonates with adults who encountered the book or the film in earlier stages of their lives. The Family Day format adds to that sense of shared experience, intentionally shaping the event as something families can enjoy without financial pressure or logistical complications.

A community program designed for access

Family Day has become a consistent part of the Coral Gables arts landscape. Hosted on the second Saturday and Sunday each month, the series gives local families a dependable cultural outing that aligns with the cinema’s mission to offer high-quality programming beyond first-run commercial releases. The “pay what you can” structure expands access and also invites the community to contribute at a level that reflects its values and capacity.

The Coral Gables Community Foundation and Grove Bank & Trust play a pivotal role by underwriting the program’s pricing model. Their support allows the cinema to curate films that center imagination, storytelling, and inclusion. During the holiday season, this mission takes on particular significance, offering families an opportunity to share a festive event without the pressures that often accompany December entertainment options.

A holiday ritual rooted in wonder

At the heart of The Polar Express is the idea of rediscovering belief — not only in seasonal magic, but in curiosity, kindness, and connection. The film follows a boy who doubts what he cannot verify but finds himself swept into an adventure that shifts how he sees the world. That narrative aligns naturally with the goals of Family Day, which seeks to create shared cultural experiences that cultivate joy and inspire imagination.

The Coral Gables Art Cinema space itself reinforces that sense of belonging. The theater’s scale makes family events feel intimate, and its projection standards offer an experience far beyond at-home viewing. Whether it is a child’s first time in a theater or a return to a familiar holiday favorite, the December screenings promise a moment of communal warmth in a season built around gathering.

For families looking to anchor December weekends with something meaningful, the Family Day program offers a measured pace, affordable access, and a film that continues to bridge generations. The Polar Express serves as a reminder that wonder is not something children outgrow but something communities sustain — especially when they create space for families to experience stories together.

If you go…

What: The Polar Express (2004), Family Day
Where: Coral Gables Art Cinema, 260 Aragon Ave.
When: Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m.
Admission: Pay what you can, suggested price $5 per person
Runtime: 100 minutes
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Format: 4K DCP
Supported by: Coral Gables Community Foundation and Grove Bank & Trust