List of Thomas the Tank Engine References in Film

The following is an alphabetical list of Thomas the Tank Engine-related sightings and references in film.

After Thomas
In a 2006 drama film shown on ITV based loosely on "A Friend Like Henry: The Touching True Story of an Autistic Boy and His Dog", Kyle's family adopt a golden retriever and named him after Thomas the Tank Engine - Kyle's favourite character. Throughout the film, there are a number of Thomas toys, books, videos, a bed duvet and poster shown in Kyle's bedroom.

Ant-Man
Bachmann HO models of Thomas, Annie, Clarabel, and Emily's coaches appear in the final fight scene between Ant-Man and Yellowjacket. At one point, the model becomes supersized and crashes through his daughter's house. Thomas was actually a digital effect created by DNEG.

Bullet Train
Hitman Lemon is a self-admitted fan of Thomas the Tank Engine throughout the film, describing how everything he has learned about people he learned from Thomas. He uses a sticker sheet of different illustrations and photographs of engines as his personal system of identifying allies and enemies, notably marking the villains as "Diesels". Edward, Henry, Gordon, and Percy are also all mentioned by name with their personalities described. James, Oliver, Emily, and Mavis also appear on Lemon’s sticker sheet.

"Take Tangerine here. He's a Gordon, this blue one. Now Gordon is the strongest, the most important, but he doesn't always listen to others. I mean, some people are Edwards: wise, kind; some Henrys: hardworking, strong. Some people are Diesels. F*ck me, those are trouble. You though, you know, you seem like a Percy. Young. Sweet. Not all there."

- Lemon

Throughout the film, many of the characters refer to the series as “Thomas the Train” or “Thomas the Train Engine”, unfamiliar with its actual title.

Lemon's twin brother Tangerine also makes a reference to Ringo Starr's narrations by giving Thomas a Liverpudlian accent. Lemon keeps on bringing up how others are "Diesels", which leads to Tangerine telling him "If you mention Thomas the Tank Engine one more time I'm gonna shoot you in the f***ing face." Lemon eventually talks to the film's protagonist Ladybug, where he mentions again that he learned everything about people from Thomas, and says "you are a Diesel." Ladybug then responds with "I am not a Diesel.", with Lemon coming back with "You're the Dieselest Diesel that I've ever seen in my life."

Additionally, the film features a number of references to events within the franchise, most notably the Duck and the Diesel Engine saga. In one scene, Lemon holds the characters The Prince and The Father at gunpoint and asks them “Which one is the Diesel, which one is the Duck?”

The original novel also contains references to the song Accidents Will Happen, the Railway Series story Domeless Engines, and the Series 7 episode The Spotless Record.

Daddy Day Care
In Kid Card Match Up, a game included as a bonus feature on the film’s DVD release, recoloured Wooden Railway toys of Thomas and Harold appear as wrong answers.

Doogal
In the 2006 American adaption of the 2005 film adaptation of The Magic Roundabout, during the train chase sequence, Zeebad says to Sam "We're going to lose this race to Thomas the Tank Engine? I don't think so, more coal!".

Fred Claus
A wall of various pieces of Thomas merchandise is seen during the fight scene against the Santa Clauses at Toys R Us.

Some Thomas toys were also seen being made at Santa's workshop.

Float
A helicopter toy appears at one point that bears a striking resemblance to Harold.

Girls und Panzer der Film
One of the battles in the film occurs within an abandoned theme park which features a section entitled “Tortoise Land”, a parody of Thomas Land that features a British Tortoise A39 tank (with a face resembling Thomas) as its mascot.

Gumby Dharma
A modified Motor Road and Rail James was used in various scenes to show the different locations where Gumby creator Art Clokey has traveled, with Gumby riding in his cab.

The Harry Hill Movie
Motor Road and Rail models of Thomas, Annie, Clarabel and Bulstrode cameoed at the during the end credits.

Halloween VI
At one point, a Thomas lamp appears.

The Incredibles 2
A toy resembling Harold can be seen at one point.

Jingle All the Way
Some Ertl toys are seen in one scene.

The Smurfs
In the FAO Scwartz toy store, some Wooden Railway toys are seen on the wall near the Lionel table where Gargamel is, two of them being Molly and Flora.

Kingsman: The Secret Service
An Ertl Bulgy appears in one scene.

The Lego Movie (Blur Studios Pitch)
In concept art, a Lego Duplo Thomas is seen, implying he was possibly going to have a role (How prominent is unknown) if not for the cancellation of the original version of the film.

The Lego Story
At the end of the short film, The Duplo Thomas Starter set can be seen on the shelf in the background.

Logorama
The My First Thomas logo was used as roller coaster cars and a trackless zoo train in this 2009 short film.

Love Actually
A poster for Thomas & Friends - The Big Live Tour can be seen on the side of a double-decker bus in the 2003 film, Love Actually.

Marley & Me
A Wooden Railway Roundhouse set and Playtable are visible in a scene.

Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey?
Drayton Manor Resort was a filming location for the movie. Knapford Station, and Percy (Without a face) also camoed.

Peter Rabbit
A plush Thomas toy makes a cameo during the toy storage scene.

Smile
Faceless TrackMaster/Motorized Percy toys (both the original series, and All Engine Go versions) are seen as birthday cake toppers.