Festivals - Smurfs: The Beloved Blue Icons Are Set to Turn Annecy Into a Musical Wonderland with a First Look at Their New Movie

By Mulder, Annecy, 10 june 2025

Annecy is about to turn a whole lot bluer as the iconic Smurfs prepare to descend upon the city, boardwalks, and festivalgoers’ imaginations with an eagerly awaited showcase of Smurfs – The Movie at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival. In this idyllic setting, acclaimed director Chris Miller (Puss in Boots) will unveil never-before-seen footage from the upcoming musical adventure, co-produced by global superstar Rihanna, who also lends her voice to the role of Smurfette. Scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on July 18, 2025, this visual and sonic reboot of the beloved blue characters promises to be one of the year’s major family events. The presentation by Paramount Animation is already shaping up to charm both longtime fans and younger viewers, all within a joyful, colorful, and nostalgia-filled atmosphere that pays tribute to the magical world originally imagined by Belgian comic artist Peyo (Pierre Culliford).

Since their first appearance in Johan and Peewit in 1958, the Smurfs have stood as joyful ambassadors of teamwork, optimism, kindness, and respect for nature. And this upcoming film intends to tap directly into that timeless spirit while reimagining it through a bold, modern musical journey. In this new tale, Papa Smurf is mysteriously kidnapped by two wicked wizards—Gargamel and Razamel—both voiced in a highly anticipated dual performance by JP Karliak. Led by a determined Smurfette and a nameless Smurf companion, our blue heroes must venture beyond their enchanted forest into the real world on a perilous rescue mission. Along the way, they’ll encounter vibrant new allies like Mama Poot and her brood, and embark on a quest that may just reshape the destiny of the entire universe.

What truly sets this film apart is the artistic vision driving it. Directed by Chris Miller, and co-directed by Matt Landon, the film is based on a screenplay by Pam Brady, celebrated for her sharp comedic writing and ability to energize family storytelling. The production—helmed by Ryan Harris, Laurence Jay Brown, Tyran Ty-Ty Smith, and Rihanna—aims for total immersion with animation crafted by Cinesite and deeply inspired by Peyo’s original graphic style. The creative team deliberately embraces dynamic comic book aesthetics—action lines, thought bubbles, and a lively squash and stretch animation style that brims with energy and charm. It’s a deliberate departure from the glossy CGI style of previous Smurfs films and a return to a more handcrafted, expressive look that honors their illustrated roots.

The film’s English-language voice cast is nothing short of phenomenal. In addition to Rihanna, the lineup includes James Corden, Nick Offerman, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Jimmy Kimmel, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell, and John Goodman—a star-studded ensemble promising equal parts laughter and heart. On the musical front, Rihanna not only voices the film’s heroine but also composed and recorded several original tracks. Her song Friend of Mine, released on May 16, 2025, already sets the tone for an emotionally rich and unifying soundtrack. Additional tracks include Higher Love, a genre-blending collaboration led by Desi Trill with features from Cardi B, DJ Khaled, Natania, and Subhi. The French-language dub is also set to shine with talent like Jérôme Commandeur, Dorothée, Sofia Essaïdi, François Damiens, Virginie Hocq, the globally famous Philippe Katerine, and a special appearance by legendary singer Patricia Kaas.

This new chapter in the Smurfs legacy is also the result of a strategic alliance initiated in February 2022 between Peyo Company—founded by Véronique Culliford, daughter of Peyo—and Paramount Animation. The long-term plan is to produce several new animated films, and this first musical installment is the flagship title of the rebooted franchise. Originally scheduled for December 2024, then February 2025, the release was ultimately pushed to July 2025, placing it squarely in the summer blockbuster window. To add even more value for families, Smurfs will be accompanied in theaters by a brand-new SpongeBob SquarePants short titled Order Up, reinforcing Paramount Pictures’ commitment to delivering premium family experiences at the cinema.

As the film’s team prepares to arrive in Annecy for what promises to be a high-energy, visually stunning, and emotionally engaging presentation, Smurfs stands as both a cultural celebration and a cinematic rebirth. This film aims not only to honor the whimsical universe created by Peyo, but also to enrich it through bold storytelling, powerful music, and a universal message of joy, courage, and connection. If the spell works as intended, it won’t just be the enchanted forest that’s saved—but the hearts of multiple generations of viewers, once again won over by the magic of blue friendship.

Synopsis :
When Papa Smurf is mysteriously kidnapped by the evil wizards Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette and her best friend, the nameless Smurf, set out on a mission to find him! Thus begins a wild adventure in which our blue heroes cross paths with colorful new friends such as Mama Poot and her little ones. The Smurfs must take control of their destiny to save the world!

Smurfs
Directed by Chris Miller
Written by Pam Brady
Based on The Smurfs by Peyo
Produced by Ryan Harris, Rihanna, Laurence Jay Brown, Tyran Ty-Ty Smith
Starring Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman, J. P. Karliak, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Jimmy Kimmel, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell, John Goodman
Edited by Matt Landon
Music by Henry Jackman
Production companies : Paramount Animation, Marcy Media Films, LAFIG Belgium, Peyo Company
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date : July 18, 2025 (United States)
Running time : 92 minutes