Quick Overview.
Title: Smurfs (2025), a rebooting animated adventure from Paramount.
Release: In theaters starting July 18 (US/UK) and Australia earlier.
Director: Chris Miller.
Screenplay: Written by Pam Brady.
Runtime: Approximately 92 minutes.
Rating: PG — for action, language, and some rude humor.
Principal Cast (“How many cast?”).
Key Voice Actors:
- Rihanna as Smurfette (also contributed music).
- James Corden as No-Name Smurf, the self-discovery–seeking protagonist.
- John Goodman as Papa Smurf.
- Nick Offerman as Ken (Papa Smurf’s brother).
- Kurt Russell as Ron (another of Papa’s brothers).
- JP Karliak voices both Gargamel and Razamel—the twin wizards.
- Supporting cast includes Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña—many in cameo or smaller ensemble roles.
While sources don’t enumerate every single voice credit, the list above includes the main and supporting voices, easily 15–20 principal named cast members, excluding minor roles.
Main Character (“Who is the means character?”)
The emotional and narrative center rests on the No-Name Smurf, voiced by James Corden. Unlike earlier Smurfs defined by simple traits, No-Name faces an existential identity journey—craving a name and purpose. His arc catalyzes the adventure: gaining magical powers, attracting villains, and leading the quest to save Papa Smurf. Though Smurfette (Rihanna) is also prominent, No-Name is structurally the “chosen one.”
Box-Office Performance (“How means box collection?”)
Here’s how it fared financially:
- Opening weekend (North America): about $11 million, finishing fourth.
- Domestic gross (US/Canada): approximately $31.1 million.
- International gross: roughly $79.1 million.
- Global total: around $110.2 million.
- Notably, it’s nowhere near the performance of the 2011 Smurfs film, falling about 88% short globally.
Summary Table Smurfs Movie .
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Cast Count | ~15–20 named voice actors (incl. cameos and ensemble). |
| Main Character | No-Name Smurf (James Corden). |
| Box Office | ~$110.2 million worldwide. |
| Niche | Nostalgic family animated adventure reboot. |
| Critical Reception | Mostly negative; praised visuals occasionally, but lacking narrative depth. |
| Highlights | Animation styles, Ken/legacy Smurf arcs, some voice performances. |
Film’s Niche.
This film serves as a nostalgic Smurfs franchise reboot—complete with:
- Pop-star involvement (Rihanna-led musical reinvention).
- A multiverse-style adventure spanning various animation forms (claymation, anime, 8-bit).
- A whimsical, globe-trotting plot centered on identity and magic.
- Aimed at young families with a mix of adult winks, though critics argue it’s unfocused across target groups.
Deep Dive: Story, Craft, and Why It Missed the Mark.
1. Plot & Structure
The story reboots the Smurfs with a fantasy reboot vibe: Papa Smurf is kidnapped by twin wizards (Gargamel and his brother Razamel), leading Smurfette and No-Name on a multiverse-spanning rescue.
No-Name, unlike traditional Smurfs defined by names like “Brainy” or “Clumsy,” seeks identity—earning magical powers “just in time” to attract villainous attention. The Smurfs journey across human cities like Paris and Munich, dive into alternate dimensions (including claymation segments), and meet characters like Ken and Ron—Papa’s brothers.
2. Visual Style & Animation
Visually, the film ambitiously juggles animation styles:
- CGI Smurf village opening.
- Surprise detours into claymation, anime, 8-bit, crayon drawings, and other styles—an adventurous but distracting choice.
Critics saw this as visual busywork rather than story-driven artistry—some scenes relied on simple static backgrounds and repetitive movement.
3. Humor & Dialogue
The writing drifts between slapstick and baby pun territory:
- Running gag: substituting the word “Smurf” for various expletives.
- Pop-culture nods: jokes about Zoom, LinkedIn, spam filters, etc., that land awkwardly.
While some humor (like Sound Effect Smurf’s antics) elicited chuckles, many felt the jokes were forced or juvenile.
4. Voice Cast & Music
The cast is star-studded, but not always impactful:
- Rihanna as Smurfette—co-produced and sang songs like “Friend of Mine.” Her performance and music received mixed feedback: stylistically energetic but emotionally flat.
- James Corden (No-Name)—some critics found his shtick grating.
- John Goodman (Papa Smurf) brought warmth but had limited screen time.
- Standouts: Nick Offerman (Ken) and JP Karliak (dual wizards) earned praise for inject humorous energy.
5. Themes
Themes are superficial:
- Identity/self-discovery (No-Name’s arc).
- Teamwork and bravery (Smurfs must band together).
- Good vs. evil (a magical book and evil wizards).
Critics argue these are not explored deeply enough to resonate emotionally.
6. Critical Reception
Critical consensus is largely negative:
- Tomatometer: ~21% with a critics consensus calling it “antic and zany without being particularly fun.”
- Common critiques: muddled tone, uninspired humor, overstimulation, hollow execution, and copious yet empty celebrity involvement.
- A few reviews (RogerEbert) gave modest praise for heart and style.
7. Audience and Box Office Context
While the film’s box office totaled ~$110.2M worldwide, it underwhelmed compared to previous Smurfs entries:
- 2011’s The Smurfs grossed ~$563M globally.
- Smurfs 2 (2013) made ~$347M.
Its debut was modest—$11M opening—and overall performance falls short of franchise potential.
Final Verdict: Did It Smurf Our Expectations?
This Smurfs reboot had every opportunity:
- A beloved franchise with legacy familiarity.
- A pop icon (Rihanna) connected both in voice and music.
- Bold animation techniques.
But it ultimately didn’t deliver the charm or coherence expected from a reboot aimed at children and nostalgic adults alike. Visually bold but emotionally hollow, star-filled but script-thin—and more style than substance.
