What is the name of the all-digital animated film that used motion-capture for all characters?

The all-digital animated film associated with motion-capture performances for its characters is “The Polar Express.” Released in 2004, it was directed by Robert Zemeckis and adapted from Chris Van Allsburg’s 1985 children’s book.

Actors performed on a motion-capture stage, and their movements were digitally transformed into animated characters. Tom Hanks played several roles, including the Conductor, Hero Boy’s adult voice, the Hobo, Santa Claus, and Hero Boy’s father. This production method made the film a landmark in performance-driven computer animation.

The wording “all characters” is a common shorthand, because most of the principal human characters were created through motion capture. Smokey and Steamer, the train’s fireman and engineer, were exceptions: their exaggerated designs were animated using traditional digital rigs rather than captured performances. That technical distinction does not change the film’s canonical association with motion-capture animation.

“The Polar Express” premiered in 2004 in both conventional and IMAX 3D theaters. Its visual style, including highly detailed digital humans, helped popularize motion capture as a major feature-animation technique.