Smurfs (2025) Movie ft. Nick, James, and Rihanna

The beloved blue creatures return to the big screen in Chris Miller’s Smurfs (2025), a computer-animated musical adventure that attempts to breathe new life into the classic franchise. Directed by Chris Miller and featuring an all-star voice cast including Rihanna as Smurfette, John Goodman as Papa Smurf, James Corden, Nick Offerman, and JP Karliak, this latest installment promises to take audiences on a journey from the familiar Smurf village to the real world.

Released theatrically on July 18, 2025, by Paramount Pictures, this animated adventure carries a PG rating for action, language, and some rude humor. The film represents a significant departure from previous live-action approaches, opting instead for a fully animated experience that aims to capture the essence of Peyo’s original comic creations from 1958.

Plot and Storyline

The story follows a familiar rescue mission format where Papa Smurf is mysteriously taken by evil wizards Razamel and Gargamel. Smurfette must lead the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him. The plot reveals that the villainous brother duo are at war with each other as well.

The storyline attempts to inject fresh elements into the Smurf mythology. This latest installment introduces new Smurfs with regular-guy names like Ken and Ron, departing from the traditional naming convention. However, the execution feels somewhat scattered and struggles to balance its musical elements with adventure sequences.

The pacing suffers from trying to accommodate too many plot threads. The transition from the Smurf village to the real world lacks the seamless integration that could have made this dimensional shift truly compelling.

Voice Cast Performance

Rihanna’s performance as Smurfette feels somewhat restrained compared to her usual commanding presence. John Goodman’s Papa Smurf provides the warm, paternal energy fans expect, though his screen time is limited due to the kidnapping plot device.

James Corden and Nick Offerman round out the main cast, with Corden bringing his characteristic energy. JP Karliak takes on the challenging dual role of voicing both Razamel and Gargamel, creating distinct personalities for the villainous brothers.

The voice acting overall feels competent but lacks the spark that could elevate the material. While the cast brings professionalism to their roles, there’s a sense that the performances are constrained by a script that doesn’t fully utilize the talents.

Visual Quality and Animation

The art style was surprisingly good, better than expected from the trailers. The animation shows clear improvements over previous Smurf film adaptations, with more detailed character models and environments that feel both familiar and fresh.

The film experiments with different visual approaches, moving away from the familiar Smurf rounded shapes and candy colors in certain sequences. The real-world sequences showcase solid animation quality, though they occasionally feel disconnected from the more stylized Smurf village scenes.

However, the animation lacks the distinctive artistic flair that might have set it apart. While technically proficient, the visual presentation feels safe and conventional, missing opportunities to create truly memorable visual moments.

Musical Elements and Direction

As a musical, the film incorporates songs throughout the narrative, though these musical numbers feel somewhat forced rather than naturally integrated into the story flow. The songs, while professionally produced, lack the memorable melodies that might have made them standout elements.

Chris Miller’s direction shows competence in handling the technical aspects of animation and managing the large voice cast. However, the film lacks a clear creative vision that could have unified its various elements into a cohesive whole.

The pacing issues reflect directorial choices that prioritize plot advancement over character development and emotional resonance. While Miller succeeds in creating a family-friendly adventure, the film misses opportunities to create genuinely engaging moments.

What Works and What Doesn’t

Strengths

The jokes, both spoken and visual, work well in certain sequences. The message about never confusing kindness with weakness is a valuable life lesson and a reminder of why the Smurfs are so enduringly beloved. The film stays true to the original work of Peyo and delivers honest family entertainment.

Weaknesses

The film fails to define its audience, resulting in a disjointed experience that lacks humor for kids and doesn’t appeal to parents. I found the approach to be aggressively mediocre and unimaginative, with limited innovation. The musical elements feel forced rather than organic to the story.

Critical Reception and Reviews

As of July 18, 2025, Smurfs holds a 20-25% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on critic reviews, indicating largely negative reception from professional critics. The low rating isn’t shocking, as previous films scored equally low.

IMDb users have given the film a 4.7/10 rating, suggesting that audience reception has been somewhat more favorable than critical response. Professional critics have been particularly harsh, with many noting the film’s failure to justify its existence beyond commercial motivations.

Critics have described it as the ultimate in nap-time cinema for the youngest possible crowd. Others noted that the scattershot approach to music, humor and good messages may leave audiences feeling blue.

Public and Audience Response

Public reception has been mixed, with some viewers appreciating the return to fully animated format while others expressing disappointment with the execution. The film faces the challenge of competing in a crowded market where audiences may question whether a new generation is eager for these lovable blue citizens.

Family audiences have found some value in the film as safe entertainment for young children, though many parents have noted the lack of sufficient content to engage adult viewers. The musical elements have received mixed responses from viewers.

I believe this Smurfs reboot had potential but ultimately falls short of creating something truly magical. While it delivers safe family entertainment, it lacks the spark that could have made it memorable.

Rating: 2.5/5