Movies - The Smurfs Return to the Big Screen in 2025: Everything We Know About the Animated Musical Adventure

By Mulder, 06 february 2025

The iconic blue creatures are set to return to cinemas in a brand-new animated adventure titled Smurfs, scheduled for release on July 18, 2025. This highly anticipated movie will serve as a fresh reboot of the franchise, bringing the beloved characters back to life with a new musical fantasy twist. With Rihanna leading the voice cast and serving as both a producer and songwriter, the film is expected to deliver a unique and modern take on the Smurfs’ magical world.

Unlike previous adaptations of Peyo’s classic comic series, this version of Smurfs aims to blend a more stylized animation style with a rich musical experience. Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon Movies, Marcy Media Films, LAFIG Belgium, and the Peyo Company are all collaborating on the film, marking a major effort to revitalize the Smurfs for a new generation. The film is directed by Chris Miller, best known for Puss in Boots (2011), with a screenplay by Pam Brady, who previously worked on South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999). With a mix of comedy, adventure, and music, this film promises to reintroduce audiences to the Smurfs in a fresh and dynamic way.

One of the biggest highlights of the upcoming film is the involvement of global superstar Rihanna, who will be voicing Smurfette, a fan-favorite character. In addition to her acting role, Rihanna is also producing the film and has been confirmed to write and perform original songs for the movie. The Grammy-winning artist’s participation is expected to add a contemporary and powerful musical dimension to the film. This also marks Rihanna’s latest venture into animated films, following her role as Tip in DreamWorks’ Home (2015). Her involvement alone has significantly increased anticipation for the film, as fans eagerly await her contributions to both the soundtrack and storytelling.

The film boasts an impressive lineup of voice actors, with several Hollywood stars joining the project. Alongside Rihanna, the cast includes: Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, JP Karliak, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell, John Goodman. With such a diverse and talented voice cast, the film is expected to bring new energy and personality to the Smurfs universe.

Visually, the film aims to differentiate itself from previous Smurfs adaptations. Unlike the live-action/CGI hybrid movies released in the early 2010s, this film will be a fully animated project that incorporates a painterly, storybook aesthetic. Early concept art suggests that the film will blend 2D and 3D elements, creating a visually stunning representation of Smurf Village. Additionally, the musical aspect is a significant shift from previous Smurfs movies. With Rihanna at the helm of the soundtrack, the movie is expected to feature a mix of original songs and classic covers. A teaser for the film included her rendition of "Heaven Is a Place on Earth", which has already sparked excitement among fans.

The Smurfs have been a beloved franchise for decades, originating from the Belgian comics created by Peyo (Pierre Culliford) in 1958. Since their inception, they have spanned multiple generations, appearing in animated TV series, films, video games, and even theme park attractions. The last time the Smurfs appeared on the big screen was in Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017), an animated film that received praise for its return to a fully animated format. However, this new 2025 adaptation seeks to completely reimagine the franchise, making it more contemporary, stylish, and musically rich than any previous iteration.

Given Paramount and Nickelodeon’s commitment to rebooting the Smurfs franchise, this film could potentially lead to a series of new films or spin-offs. If the 2025 movie succeeds at the box office, it may pave the way for an expanded Smurfs universe, bringing new stories and characters to life for years to come. With an all-star cast, bold artistic direction, and an original musical score, Smurfs (2025) is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious animated projects of the year. The film’s focus on reinventing the classic world of the Smurfs while staying true to their charm makes it an exciting prospect for both longtime fans and new audiences. With its summer 2025 release date, the countdown has begun for the Smurfs’ grand return to cinemas. Whether you grew up watching the classic Smurfs cartoons or are discovering them for the first time, this film promises to bring magic, music, and adventure in a way that will delight audiences of all ages.

Synopsis ;
When Papa Smurf is mysteriously kidnapped by the evil wizards Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette and her best friend Nameless Smurf set off on a mission to find him! And so begins a wild adventure in which our blue heroes cross paths with colorful new friends like Mama Poot and her little ones. The Smurfs must take their destiny into their own hands to save the whole 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, Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, J. P. Karliak, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell, John Goodman,
Production companies : Paramount Animation, Marcy Media Films, LAFIG Belgium, Peyo Company
Distributed by Paramount Pictures (United States), Paramount Pictures France (France)
Release date : July 16, 2025 (France), July 18, 2025 (United States),