& © PEYO – 2025 Lic. Lafig B./IMPS © 2025 Par. Pics)Those cute little blue creatures, the Smurfs, are back for another big-screen adventure in Smurfs, the 2025 film that serves as a reboot of the franchise.
Smurfs opens with a big musical production number set to the new song “Everything Goes with Blue,” with all the Smurfs dancing while paying close attention to Smurfette (voiced by Rihanna), who always steals the show. The Smurfs are happy and enjoying themselves, all except for a newbie called No Name (voiced by James Corden), who still doesn’t have his thing—the way Grouchy Smurf is grouchy and Clumsy Smurf is…well…clumsy. Papa Smurf (voiced by John Goodman) assures No Name he just needs more time to find his thing.
Noticing No Name is still feeling down, Smurfette tries to cheer him up by taking him on a little adventure through Smurf Village. But he still desperately wishes to find his thing, which, after Smurfette leaves, he soon discovers might be magic.
Excited to show Papa Smurf, Smurfette, and all the other Smurfs what he’s learned, No Name returns to Smurf Village and tries out his magic. Unfortunately, it backfires terribly and causes the evil wizard Razamel (voiced by JP Karliak) to find Smurf Village and kidnap Papa Smurf.
Determined to save Papa Smurf, Smurfette, No Name, Clumsy Smurf, Grouchy Smurf, Brainy Smurf (Xolo Mariduena), and Turtle leave Smurf Village and enter the real world (including Paris) to save him. Along the way they meet new friends, including Ken (voiced by Nick Offerman), Papa Smurf’s brother, who will be pivotal in planning the rescue.
Bright, colorful, and goofy, Smurfs is a fun and zany adventure for fans of the characters first introduced on the small screen in 1981. The classic characters return, and the introduction of a few new ones brings even more humor and silliness to the adventure. The Smurfs have never looked better visually. The CG flawlessly captures the style originally created by Peyo in the comics.
Rihanna adds some sass and toughness as the voice of Smurfette but still keeps her cheerful and sweet, which is the core of the character. Nick Offerman is perfect as the voice of Ken, Papa Smurf’s brother, who, unlike most Smurfs, is not happy-go-lucky but is more of a tough, world-wise, no-nonsense character who doubts Smurfette and her friends have it in them to save Papa.
James Corden is effective as the voice of No Name as he tries to help save Papa Smurf while still attempting to figure out who he really is and how he fits in with all the other Smurfs. Unfortunately, No Name gets way too much screen time, and that takes away time from other favorite Smurf characters, including Grouchy and Clumsy, and Hefty Smurf (Alex Winter) who is barely in the film.
The voice cast and impeccable animation battle the film’s biggest stumbling block: its plot. The story is all over the place, introducing too many subplots that are difficult for adults to follow, let alone children. It’s way too convoluted for its own good.
Still, there is enough silly humor, slapstick, and pop culture references that will keep children and the adults in the audience entertained.
GRADE: B-
Rating: PG for some rude humor, language, and action
Running Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Directed By: Chris Miller
Studio: Paramount Pictures
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