# Smurfs (film)

Smurfs is an upcoming live-action animated musical fantasy film based on The Smurfs comic book series created by the Belgian comics artist Peyo. A reboot of The Smurfs film series, it is directed by Chris Miller and co-directed by Matt Landon, from a screenplay written by Pam Brady. The film stars Rihanna as the voice of Smurfette, alongside an ensemble cast including Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, JP Karliak, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell, and John Goodman.
In February 2022, it was reported that LAFIG Belgium and IMPS (now known as Peyo Company), the owners of the Smurfs brand, had agreed to a partnership with Paramount Animation to produce multiple animated Smurfs films, with the first project being a musical. Brady was attached to write the screenplay, with production set to begin later that year. By June 2022, Miller had been hired to direct the film, and by April 2023, Rihanna had joined the film as a voice actor and producer, along with writing and recording original songs. Animation services were provided by Cinesite.
Smurfs is scheduled to be released in the United States on July 18, 2025, by Paramount Pictures.

## Premise

   When Papa Smurf is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him. With the help of new friends, the Smurfs must discover what defines their destiny to save the universe.

## Voice cast

* Rihanna as Smurfette
* John Goodman as Papa Smurf
* James Corden as No Name, an unnamed Smurf
* Nick Offerman as Ken, Papa Smurf's brother
* Sandra Oh as Moxie, Ken's daughter
* J. P. Karliak in a dual role as:
** Gargamel, an evil wizard bent on capturing the Smurfs
** Razamel, Gargamel's brother
In addition, Natasha Lyonne, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell and Maya Erskine have been cast in undisclosed roles.

## Production
### Background and development

Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies had previously attempted to develop an animated Smurfs film with producer Jordan Kerner in the 2000s, until Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation eventually acquired the film rights for their own live-action/CGI hybrid film in 2011, followed by a sequel in 2013 and a fully animated film, Smurfs: The Lost Village, in 2017.
In February 2022, it was reported that LAFIG Belgium and IMPS (now known as Peyo Company), the owners of the Smurfs brand, had agreed to a partnership with Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies to produce multiple animated Smurfs films, with the first project being a musical. Pam Brady was attached to write the screenplay, with production set to begin later that year. In June 2022, it was announced that former DreamWorks Animation veteran Chris Miller had been hired to direct the film. In April 2023, Rihanna joined the cast of the film as Smurfette, as well as serving as a producer along with writing and recording original songs.
The film's title was reported to be The Smurfs Movie, before it was later renamed as The Smurfs Musical. The title was officially revealed as The Smurf Movie during CinemaCon in April 2024. Matt Landon served as co-director. Following the release of the first trailer in February 2025, it was revealed that the film would be simply titled Smurfs, with the involvement of Nickelodeon Movies dropped out for unknown reasons.

### Casting

In April 2024, during CinemaCon, it was announced that Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, JP Karliak, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell, and John Goodman joined the voice cast.

### Animation and design

Production services on Smurfs was handled at Nickelodeon Animation Studio, with animation production provided by Cinesite. The film's animation draws heavy influence from Peyo's original comics. The artist's drawings inspired many of the creative choices taken with the film's look, including the incorporation of action lines and comic thought bubbles, as well as "a fun and buoyant animation style, with plenty of squash and stretch."

## Music

Rihanna will write and record original songs for the soundtrack of the film. Additionally, the soundtrack features a new song titled "Higher Love" by Desi Trill, which includes contributions from Cardi B, DJ Khaled, Natania, and Subhi.

## Release

Smurfs is scheduled to be released in the United States on July 18, 2025. It was originally scheduled for release on December 20, 2024, but was pushed back to February 14, 2025, with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 taking its December 2024 slot, before being delayed to its current date of July 2025.