Neil Crone
Gordon (voice, US)
Overview
Percy discovers a child's letter to Santa Claus forgotten at the bottom of his mail van on Christmas Eve, but he is determined to make things right, even if that means tracking down Mr. Claus himself! With help from Thomas and his friends, Percy travels through dazzling parades, sweet-smelling gingerbread bakes, and snowflake flurries on a quest to deliver the letter to Santa and make a child’s Christmas Wish come true.
Cast
Reviews
5 min readA Train Set Under the Tree: Why Thomas & Friends: The Christmas Letter Express Feels Like a Gift Wrapped in Nostalgia
I’ll admit it: I wasn’t expecting to spend Christmas Eve with Percy the Small Engine. But there I was, curled up on the couch with a mug of cocoa (okay, fine, it was decaf coffee), watching The Christmas Letter Express unfold like a pop-up book of childhood memories. Sixty minutes later, I wasn’t transformed, exactly—but I was oddly charmed.
And that, I think, is the point.
This isn’t a film that demands to be dissected like Citizen Kane or The Godfather. It’s a holiday special, designed to be consumed between cookie decorating and last-minute wrapping, a gentle hum of warmth in the background of a chaotic season. But that doesn’t mean it’s without craft, or even a kind of quiet ambition.
The question is: does it work for anyone beyond the preschool set?
The premise is simple, almost to a fault. Percy discovers a lost letter to Santa tucked in his mail van, and—because Christmas magic depends on last-minute heroics—he sets off to deliver it before midnight. Along the way, he’s joined by Thomas, James, and a rotating cast of Sodor’s most reliable engines, each contributing their own brand of holiday cheer (or, in Gordon’s case, grumbling about being late for his own parade).
The journey takes them through gingerbread tunnels, past ice-skating ponds, and into a snowstorm that, in the film’s most visually striking moment, blankets the island in a shimmering white haze.
That moment—when the engines emerge from the storm to find Santa’s sleigh tracks in the snow—is the closest the film comes to genuine magic. The animation, a 2D style that’s brighter and more exaggerated than the original model-work series, lends itself well to the whimsy of the season. Colors pop: Percy’s green coat gleams against the snow, the red of Santa’s sleigh is almost aggressively festive, and the gingerbread houses look good enough to eat.
It’s the kind of visual palette that feels designed for a child’s wide eyes, where every detail is just a little too vibrant to be real.
And that’s where the first divide appears. For parents or older fans of the franchise, this aesthetic shift can feel jarring. The original Thomas & Friends, with its stop-motion models and meticulously crafted sets, had a tactile, almost artisanal quality.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.5/10
"A heartwarming but lightweight holiday special that charms younger fans while feeling too familiar for older viewers."
The film delivers festive cheer and colorful animation, making it a hit with young children who enjoy the classic *Thomas & Friends* charm. latestnetflix.com's read is that however, the story follows a predictable formula, and the lack of deeper character development or surprises leaves older audiences wanting more substance.
What viewers praise
- Festive holiday spirit The Christmas theme and cheerful atmosphere resonate well with young viewers.
- Bright animation The visuals are vibrant and engaging, maintaining the series' signature style.
- Family-friendly fun A safe and enjoyable watch for younger children during the holiday season.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows a well-worn path with few surprises for long-time fans.
- Lacks depth Character arcs and emotional stakes feel shallow, limiting appeal for older audiences.
- Repetitive themes Themes of teamwork and holiday generosity are overused, offering little freshness.
Recommended for
Young children Thomas & Friends fans Holiday movie lovers Family viewing
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThomas & Friends: The Christmas Letter Express – A Festive Return with a New Mission
The beloved Thomas & Friends franchise is reviving its holiday spirit with The Christmas Letter Express, a 2024 feature-length special set to deliver cheer—and a last-minute rescue mission—this Christmas Eve. Directed by Campbell Bryer, the film marks the third installment in the All Engines Go reboot series and the seventeenth Thomas & Friends movie overall 
. But this year’s adventure comes with a twist: Percy, the plucky little engine, takes center stage in a race against time to ensure a child’s letter reaches Santa.
Percy’s Big Moment
While Thomas the Tank Engine often steals the spotlight, The Christmas Letter Express shifts focus to Percy, who discovers a misplaced letter to Santa in his mail cart on Christmas Eve 
. The stakes? High. The child’s holiday wish hangs in the balance, forcing Percy to track down Santa before it’s too late. The premise leans into the franchise’s signature blend of heartwarming storytelling and gentle adventure, a formula that has kept Thomas & Friends a holiday staple for decades.
The special also reunites fans with the All Engines Go reboot’s vibrant animation style, which debuted in 2021. Unlike the classic model animation of earlier Thomas films, this iteration uses 2D digital animation, a shift that has divided longtime fans but introduced the series to a new generation . With The Christmas Letter Express, the reboot continues its mission to modernize the franchise while retaining its nostalgic charm.
Behind the Scenes: A Sodor Christmas in the Works
Little is known about the production process, but the film’s existence confirms that Thomas & Friends remains a priority for Mattel, the brand’s parent company. Campbell Bryer, the director, has been a steady hand behind the All Engines Go series, though his previous work on the franchise hasn’t garnered the same attention as the original Thomas films . The cast, including Neil Crone, Charlie Zeltzer, Luke Marty, and Kai Harris, brings fresh voices to Sodor’s familiar faces, though details about their roles remain scarce .
One unanswered question: How does The Christmas Letter Express fit into the broader All Engines Go timeline? The film is the third in the reboot’s movie series, following Race for the Sodor Cup (2021) and The Mystery of Lookout Mountain (2022) . Yet, unlike those films, which leaned into action and mystery, this special returns to the franchise’s holiday roots—a move that could reassure fans wary of the reboot’s more fast-paced tone.
What’s Next for Thomas & Friends?
With The Christmas Letter Express set to air in late 2024, the film’s reception could shape the future of All Engines Go. If successful, it may pave the way for more holiday specials or even a return to the classic model animation style that defined the franchise’s golden era. For now, though, the focus is on Percy’s Christmas Eve dash—a simple but effective hook for a new generation of young viewers.
As for rumors of cameos or surprise appearances? The evidence is silent. But given the franchise’s history of cross-engine team-ups, it wouldn’t be surprising if Thomas, Gordon, or even Sir Topham Hatt made an appearance to lend a hand . Until then, fans will have to wait to see if Percy can save Christmas—one letter at a time.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.