Premiere - Smurfs: A World Premiere Celebration in the Heart of Brussels

By Mulder, Bruxelles, Mont des Arts, 28 june 2025

In a cinematic event as joyfully surreal as the Smurfs themselves, the city of Brussels transformed into a whimsical celebration of blue as it hosted the world premiere of Smurfs on June 28, 2025, at Mont des Arts. The iconic Belgian setting became a living tribute to Peyo’s beloved creation, with the steps of the Mont des Arts cloaked in an immense blue carpet, and the surrounding gardens blossoming into a playful Smurf village where fans of all ages reveled in activities straight out of the comic books. It was a premiere that honored both the global allure and deeply rooted Belgian heritage of the Smurfs, paying tribute to the cultural legacy of these pint-sized blue icons in the very city where their legend began.

The undeniable star of the evening was Robyn Rihanna Fenty, whose highly anticipated appearance had already electrified Brussels days before the event. As the voice of Smurfette and a producer of the film, Rihanna's commitment to the project was apparent, even as her arrival was shrouded in uncertainty following the death of her father, Ronald Fenty, just weeks earlier. Arriving fashionably late in a radiant gown that celebrated her pregnancy, Rihanna descended the blue carpet flanked by her partner ASAP Rocky, receiving a heartfelt standing ovation from a crowd that had waited hours to see her. As she posed gracefully atop the Mont des Arts steps, framed by the Brussels skyline and later joined by a life-sized Smurfette for photos, the moment captured the magical synergy of celebrity, nostalgia, and hometown pride. The image of Rihanna—both artist and character—standing at the epicenter of the Smurfs' spiritual homeland felt like a symbolic homecoming.

Accompanying her were fellow cast members, including James Corden, who lends his voice to the nameless Smurf, and Dan Levy, who voices the character Joel. Director Chris Miller, a DreamWorks Animation veteran whose vision helped elevate Puss in Boots into a modern classic, was among the first to arrive, walking the carpet with his signature enthusiasm. The film's dazzling voice cast also includes heavyweights like Nick Offerman, JP Karliak (in an impressive dual role as villains Gargamel and Razamel), Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Jimmy Kimmel, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Kurt Russell, and John Goodman. And yet, despite this star-studded ensemble, it was the intimate moments—like Rihanna dancing with fans or chatting candidly about her childhood memories of the Smurfs—that gave the premiere its unique, heartfelt tone.

Local pride ran deep throughout the event. Among the 700 handpicked Belgian and international guests were local celebrities like actor Jérémie Renier, who attended not for the glamor but for his 7-year-old daughter’s love of the Smurfs. Recalling his own childhood in Flanders, where he would translate the Flemish cartoons for his siblings, Jérémie Renier spoke with heartfelt sincerity about how this premiere closed a full-circle moment for him. Similarly, comedian Virginie Hocq, who voices Moxie in the French version of the film, brought her infectious energy to the carpet. She spoke warmly of her own childhood obsession with Smurfs—watching the TV show religiously, collecting figurines, and, she joked, dreaming of one day playing Smurfette herself. Though humbled by the global spotlight on Rihanna, Virginie Hocq expressed nothing but pride in representing Belgium in a film that reconnects the franchise to its roots.

The film itself, scheduled for release in the United States on July 18, 2025, is a bold, colorful reboot that fully embraces musical storytelling. Helmed by Chris Miller and penned by Pam Brady, Smurfs reimagines the franchise with a buoyant animation style heavily inspired by Peyo’s original artwork—complete with comic book flourishes like thought bubbles and expressive action lines. The story sends Smurfette and her loyal sidekick, the Nameless Smurf, on a journey through the real world to rescue Papa Smurf, who has been kidnapped by the villainous wizard brothers, Gargamel and Razamel. Along the way, they encounter quirky allies like Mama Poot and discover the power of identity and destiny. The soundtrack, curated under Rihanna’s artistic direction, brings a modern musical energy to the world of the Smurfs. Her original track “Friend of Mine,” released ahead of the film, is already being praised for balancing pop appeal with emotional resonance. The film's score, composed by Henry Jackman, adds an orchestral layer of depth that echoes the spirit of adventure and heart that defines this new chapter.

While Smurfs stands on the shoulders of the franchise’s many previous incarnations—from Columbia Pictures’ hybrid films to 2017’s fully animated Smurfs: The Lost Village—this reboot marks a distinct creative shift. Produced by Jay Brown, Ty Ty Smith, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, and Ryan Harris, the film leans into both nostalgia and innovation, re-establishing the Smurfs as timeless symbols of unity, mischief, and joy. And with its premiere held not in Hollywood or Cannes but in Brussels, it’s clear that the filmmakers made a deliberate choice to center the Smurfs’ Belgian origin in the global spotlight.

The blue carpet may have rolled up by nightfall, but the echoes of the laughter, cheers, and songs that filled the Mont des Arts linger as a testament to the enduring magic of the Smurfs. The world premiere of Smurfs wasn’t just a promotional event—it was a joyful, inclusive gathering that celebrated the intersection of global star power and homegrown legacy, with Rihanna standing at the center as both an international icon and a genuine fan. This vibrant celebration reminded us all that while the Smurfs may be small, their cultural footprint—and their heart—is larger than life.

Discover the official interviews on the blue carpet:

itw Chris Miller

itw Rihanna

itw James Corden

itw Dan Levy

itw DJ Snake

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 Jay Brown, Ty Ty Smith, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Ryan Harris
Starring Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman, JP Karliak, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Jimmy Kimmel, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Kurt Russellk John Goodman
Edited by Matt Landon
Music by Henry Jackman
Production companies : Paramount Animation, Marcy Media Films
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release dates : June 28, 2025 (Brussels), July 16, 2025 (France), July 18, 2025 (United States)
Running time : 92 minutes