Introduction
The beloved little blue characters are back in a bold animated reboot: Smurfs (2025), which hits theaters on July 18, 2025, bringing a fresh musical spark to the franchise.WikipediaMovie Insider
A Star-Studded Lineup
This version boasts a dazzling ensemble cast:
- Rihanna shines as Smurfette, also taking on a producer role.Wikipedia+1
- John Goodman voices Papa Smurf, the wisdom-filled leader taken by the forces of darkness.WikipediaIMDb
- Among others in the cast are James Corden, Nick Offerman, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Kurt Russell, Jimmy Kimmel, and more.WikipediaScreen Rant
Story & Direction
Directed by Chris Miller (known for Shrek the Third, Puss in Boots) and penned by Pam Brady, the plot unfolds as follows:
When Papa Smurf is mysteriously abducted by the evil wizards Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette rallies the other Smurfs for a daring mission into the human world to rescue him—and perhaps restore cosmic balance.WikipediaIMDbThe Movie Spoiler
Music That Smurfs to the Beat
This entry doubles as a musical. Rihanna recorded original songs for the soundtrack, including the EDM/house single “Friend of Mine”, released May 16, 2025—praised as a potential summer anthem.PolygonWikipedia
The film’s score is composed by Henry Jackman, with a full soundtrack (including tracks like “Higher Love” featuring artists such as Cardi B, DJ Khaled, and Desi Trill) also released.Wikipedia
Release & Box Office
Originally slated for early 2025, the release was pushed to July 18, 2025.Wikipedia+1
Despite its moderate budget of around $58 million, the film earned roughly $100–106 million worldwide—financially viable, though critics were less thrilled.WikipediaSmurfs WikiDecider
Critical Reception
The response was mixed to negative:
Some critics slammed the movie—calling it uninspired or one of the worst they’ve seen. For instance, one review dismissed it as “lazy and uninspired,” while another humorously suggested “an AI could’ve written a better script.”Omni
Still, the vibrant soundtrack and star power—particularly Rihanna’s contributions—garnered praise.Polygon
Buzz & Behind-the-Scenes Moments
At the Los Angeles premiere, Rihanna and her two sons made a memorable appearance—Rihanna, expectant with her third child, charmed in designer fashion and interacted with Smurf characters on the red carpet.People.com
In interviews, Natasha Lyonne (Mama Poot) and Nick Offerman (Ken) teased a charming romantic undercurrent between their characters—a hint of a potential spinoff, though future projects remain uncertain amid mixed reviews.Cinemablend
Availability Beyond Theaters
As of mid-August, the movie is available to rent or buy on digital platforms like Amazon Prime and Apple TV (around $19.99–$24.99).Decider
Paramount+ subscribers can likely expect access by mid-to-late September, consistent with typical streaming windows for animated releases.Decider
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Smurfs reboot delivers a musical, star-powered twist on an iconic classic. While it didn’t wow the critics, it still offers enough charm, lively music, and celebrity appeal to appeal to young audiences and fans of animated fun. Whether watching for Rihanna’s catchy beats or the Smurfs in all their blue glory, this film certainly makes a smurfy splash.