Tom Hanks’ $426 Million Film Features a Surprising Easter Egg that Nods Michael J. Fox’s ‘Back to the Future’ That You Probably Missed

Back to the Future and The Polar Express might seem like two completely different movies. One is a science fiction about a teenager time-traveling in a DeLorean, while the other is a Christmas story about a magical train ride to the North Pole. But these two films were more connected than they appear.

Both movies share a commonality in director Robert Zemeckis, who has made a name for his innovative storytelling and special effects. It seems like Zemeckis wanted to add a little nod to his earlier work in The Polar Express and leave an Easter egg for eagle-eyed fans.

Hidden Link Between Back to the Future and The Polar Express

Both films pushed the limits of special effects during their time. Back to the Future is still considered a benchmark of time travel movies. On the other hand, The Polar Express explored new features of motion-capture animation. Robert Zemeckis‘ love for cutting-edge technology is apparent in both productions.

The Easter egg in The Polar Express is none other than the flux capacitor, which was the heart of time travel in Back to the Future. This device makes a cameo appearance on the train’s control panel for a very brief moment in The Polar Express. It is very easy to overlook but speaks volumes about Zemeckis’ attention to detail.

The flux capacitor’s appearance in The Polar Express is not just a fun reference. It has fueled some theories about how the train manages its magical journey. In Back to the Future, the flux capacitor needs 1.21 gigawatts of power and a speed of 88 mph to activate time travel. Could the Polar Express be using similar technology to travel around the world in one night?

However, the flux capacitor was an important component in Back to the Future‘s plot. But in The Polar Express, it was more of a visual treat for keen-eyed fans. Still, its presence raises some interesting questions about the nature of the train’s journey. 

Both films also share themes of nostalgia and the importance of family. Michael J. Fox‘s character, Marty McFly’s adventures revolve around his family’s past and future, while The Polar Express explores the magic of childhood beliefs and family traditions. These common threads suggest that Zemeckis may have been drawing subtle parallels between his works.

Is The Polar Express a Secret Back to the Future Sequel?

Some fans have taken the connection between these films even further. According to some Redditors, The Polar Express could be a secret Back to the Future 4, or at least largely related to it.

According to the theory, Santa Claus, who is voiced by Tom Hanks, might be Doc Brown himself, and he is using his time-travel technology to deliver gifts worldwide at midnight. It would explain how Santa manages his impossible task every year. Moreover, both Santa’s sleigh and Doc’s DeLorean leave fiery trails as they disappear into the sky.

Taking the theory even further, some speculate that the train’s engineers, Smokey and Steamer, could be Doc Brown’s grandchildren. They share his eccentric personality and knack for problem-solving, often coming up with unconventional solutions to keep the train running.

While these ideas are fun to entertain, it is quite certain that Back to the Future 4 won’t happen. Christopher Lloyd has mentioned in his conversation with Yahoo that although a fourth movie was once considered, the original trilogy tells a complete story. 

Whether one believes in the theories or not, The Polar Express‘ clever Easter eggs and shared themes make fans imagine a connection between these films which keeps the spirit of both films alive, even after so many years.

The Polar Express is available to stream on Max and Netflix.

Back to the Future is available to stream on Netflix and Prime Video.