? What Smurfs Delivers—and Where It Falls Short
The new 2025 Smurfs animated reboot, directed by Chris Miller and written by Pam Brady, revisits the beloved blue universe with a star-packed cast led by Rihanna as Smurfette and James Corden as No Name Smurf. Released July 18, it aims to rekindle childhood memories—yet critics say it lacks fresh magic.
? Plot & Core Theme
The story centers on No Name Smurf, who discovers cosmic magic and embarks on a multiverse-spanning quest with Smurfette to rescue Papa Smurf (John Goodman) from Razamel—the villainous sibling of Gargamel. Their journey spans Paris, Munich, Australia and even a claymation sequence, exploring themes of identity and belonging 0.
⭐ Voice Cast Highlights
- Rihanna voices and produces Smurfette, also contributing original songs like “Friend of Mine.” 1
- James Corden plays No Name Smurf, a purpose-seeking newcomer to the village. 2
- Key co-stars include John Goodman, Nick Offerman, Dan Levy, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Amy Sedaris and Kurt Russell. 3
? Production Milestones
- Originally titled *The Smurfs Musical*, the film’s name was officially unveiled at CinemaCon April 2024. 4
- Directed by Chris Miller (notable for *Shrek the Third*), written by *South Park* veteran Pam Brady. 5
- Production budget was $58 million; it grossed just $2.9 million in initial weeks. 6
? Critical Reception & Box Office
Despite nostalgia, the film drew widespread criticism: Rotten Tomatoes score at 21% and many negative reviews. Critics described it as “profoundly empty,” with flat humor and uninspired songs 7. The New York Post called it “one of the worst movies of the year,” citing lackluster voice performances and clunky musical sequences 8.
? Best That Works
- Family-friendly tone, PG rating.
- Colorful visuals and a brisk 92-minute runtime 9.
- Some lighter comedic moments in villain-led scenes – but few and far between 10.
⚠️ Drawbacks Noted
- Misfires in humor – over-reliance on modern pop-culture references and adult gags 11.
- Underwhelming musical elements that abandon key characters, including underused Rihanna songs 12.
- Performance criticisms – James Corden’s emotional arc called “mopey” and uninspiring 13.
? Trivia & Timeline for Quiz Fans
- Original *Smurfs* comic debuted in 1958 by Belgian artist Peyo. 14
- Rihanna joined cast April 2023, contributing voice and music. 15
- World premiere held in Brussels June 28, 2025; global release on July 18. 16
- Budget vs Box office: $58M vs $2.9M (opening weeks). 17
? Final Verdict
While *Smurfs* offers a splash of nostalgia and colorful animation, it struggles to find a compelling emotional or musical core. Best suited as a one-time streaming watch for families, it falls short of the franchise’s potential for magic.
Source: Firstpost