Movies - Smurfs: A Vibrant Reinvention of a Timeless Franchise Bursting with Music, Magic, and Star Power

By Mulder, 14 may 2025

The Smurfs are back—this time in a dazzling, animated musical reboot simply titled Smurfs, and if the brand-new trailer is any indication, the summer of 2025 might just belong to our little blue heroes. Directed by Shrek the Third’s Chris Miller and co-directed by Matt Landon, Smurfs is not just a return to Peyo’s beloved comic roots but a bold reinvention that fuses fantasy, comedy, and toe-tapping tunes into one buoyant cinematic spectacle. At the heart of it all is Rihanna, who not only lends her unmistakable voice to Smurfette but also serves as a producer and composer for several original songs. In doing so, she becomes the modern-day glue holding together a cast so impressive it feels more like an awards ceremony roll call than a voice lineup. Whether you're nostalgic for the Saturday morning cartoons or being introduced to Smurf lore for the first time, this iteration promises to delight across generations with equal parts wit, heart, and sparkle.

The film’s journey to the big screen has been nothing short of a Smurf-sized saga in itself. While most fans remember Sony Pictures' foray into the franchise with their live-action/CGI hybrids in the early 2010s and the fully animated Smurfs: The Lost Village in 2017, Smurfs marks a fresh chapter under Paramount Animation, in partnership with the Peyo Company. The project was first announced in early 2022, and although it was initially envisioned as The Smurfs Musical, and later The Smurf Movie, its final, punchier title underscores its ambition: this is the definitive Smurfs film for a new era. Animation studio Cinesite—known for its playful, expressive style—took inspiration directly from Peyo’s original drawings, giving the film a unique visual identity that combines fluid motion with comic book-style effects like action lines and thought bubbles. It’s a bold stylistic choice that lovingly bridges the old with the new, reminding audiences where these iconic characters came from while propelling them into new narrative and visual territory.

Plot-wise, the stakes have never been higher—or more adventurous. When Papa Smurf is kidnapped by the villainous duo of Gargamel and his equally nefarious brother Razamel (both voiced with delightful menace by JP Karliak), it’s up to Smurfette and her loyal friend, Le Schtroumpf Sans-Nom, to journey into the real world and rescue him. Along the way, they encounter an eclectic roster of new allies and adversaries, including Mama Poot (voiced by French icon Patricia Kaas in the French dub), whose eccentric charm threatens to steal every scene she’s in. The story cleverly balances fantasy tropes with real-world parallels, centering on themes of identity, teamwork, and forging your own destiny—a message that feels especially poignant in today’s chaotic world. And with a screenplay by South Park alum Pam Brady, the film never shies away from sharp humor and heartfelt moments in equal measure.

What truly elevates Smurfs into must-see territory, however, is its soundscape. Rihanna’s involvement is far more than a promotional gimmick; her musical fingerprints are all over the film, from character-defining anthems to the broader sonic landscape. She's joined by other music powerhouses like Cardi B and DJ Khaled on the original track “Higher Love,” which feels tailor-made to become a summer hit beyond the confines of the movie. It’s hard not to draw parallels to Trolls or Sing, but Smurfs goes beyond imitation. The music isn’t just an add-on—it’s an integral part of the storytelling, with each track designed to deepen the characters and heighten the emotional beats of the plot. You can feel the joy in the rhythms, the mischief in the lyrics, and the unity in the harmonies—making for a truly immersive cinematic experience.

And then there’s the voice cast. Imagine the ensemble power of James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Nick Offerman, Sandra Oh, Natasha Lyonne, and even Hollywood royalty like Kurt Russell and John Goodman—all in the same animated film. The casting feels both luxurious and intentional, with each performer carefully matched to the whimsical and often subversive spirit of their character. Their vocal performances are brimming with energy, bringing complexity and comedy to what could have been simple archetypes. Special attention must be paid to the dual performance of Karliak as both Gargamel and Razamel, which promises a delightful duality that could rival Disney villain greats. In the French dub, meanwhile, a cast packed with familiar voices—Jérôme Commandeur, Gérard Hernandez, François Damiens—adds local flair, suggesting the film is taking its global rollout seriously.

Smurfs has had a winding road to release. Originally slated for December 2024, it was pushed to Valentine’s Day 2025, and then finally locked in for July 18, 2025, in the U.S., and July 16 in France. Ironically, these delays have only fueled anticipation, as early buzz from CinemaCon presentations and teaser previews suggest that the film is not only a nostalgic revival but also a creative leap forward. With Nickelodeon Movies exiting the project for reasons still undisclosed, all eyes are now on Paramount and the Peyo Company to deliver. Judging by the trailer, which bursts with color, humor, and rhythm, they might just have struck gold—or, perhaps more fittingly, a deep shade of blue.

In an entertainment landscape increasingly driven by franchises, Smurfs manages to stand out by embracing the very thing that made the original comics so timeless: joy. It’s a film that doesn’t condescend to its audience, whether young or old, and instead invites everyone to dance, laugh, and dream a little. Whether you're humming along to Rihanna’s latest earworm or rediscovering the magic of Peyo's original characters, this film reminds us that some stories never truly fade—they just need the right team, the right beat, and the right moment to shine again.

Synopsis;
When Papa Smurf is mysteriously kidnapped by the evil wizards Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette and her best friend Le Smtroumpf Sans-Nom 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! The most eagerly-awaited animated film of the summer features an XXL voice cast: Jérôme Commandeur (Nameless Smurf), François Damiens (Razamel), Sofia Essaïdi (Smurfette, interpreted by Rihanna in the original version), Philippe Katerine (Smurf Coquet), Dorothée (Enjouée, le Grimoire), Virginie Hocq (Moxie), Gérard Hernandez (Papa Smurf), and the exceptional participation of Patricia Kaas (Mama Poot).

Smurfs
Directed by Chris Miller
Written by Pam Brady
Based on Peyo's The Smurfs
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 (USA), Paramount Pictures France (France)
Release date: July 16, 2025 (France), July 18, 2025 (U.S.),