Smurfs The Movie Review: Fun or Forgettable?

The beloved blue creatures are back in theaters—and this time, they’re messing with the multiverse. That’s right. Even the Smurfs are jumping on the multiverse trend that seems to be dominating Hollywood. But really—who asked for this? Is it any good? Do we actually need another Smurfs movie? Honestly, they could’ve just let the franchise fade away quietly into nostalgic obscurity.

So let’s dive in. The real question is: is this new Smurfs movie worth taking your kids to see? Let’s break it down.

I’ve Never Really Understood the Smurfs

To be honest, I’ve never quite gotten the Smurfs. They’re a bit of a mystery. I don’t think I’ve ever met a kid who was truly a die-hard Smurfs fan. Everyone loves the Minions, right? But the Smurfs? Who’s really out there begging for more of them? At this point, they feel more like a cultural nickname for short people than a pop culture powerhouse. “Hey look, a Smurf!” You know it’s true.

And let’s be real—they don’t even own the “blue creature” brand anymore. When someone says “blue creature,” my mind jumps to the Avatar aliens… or even the Teletubbies. But this new film might just be the Smurfs’ chance to reclaim that crown. It’s dropping right during the school holidays—prime time for blue domination. The question is: will kids and parents enjoy it?

A Franchise Older Than You Think

First, let’s clear something up: the Smurfs are not new. They’ve been around since 1958, created by Belgian artist Peyo. And they got their big break in the 1980s with a classic Saturday morning cartoon—the one with that unforgettable theme song you think you’ve forgotten but will haunt you the second you hear it.

Since then, they’ve exploded into a full-fledged global franchise—lunchboxes, toys, video games, and of course, movies. There was the live-action CGI version in 2011 (remember that one with the $14 million budget?), which I thought was fine at the time. Then came the 2017 reboot, Smurfs: The Lost Village, fully animated in 3D and a return to their comic book roots.

And now, here we are again—with yet another reboot.

A Smurf Without a Name (Yes, Really)

This latest film is basically a full reset. The plot centers around a Smurf who doesn’t have a name. That’s right—No-Name. Because Smurfs are usually named based on their personality or role: Brainy Smurf, Grouchy Smurf, Handy Smurf, and of course, the lone female, Smurfette. But this Smurf? He has no purpose. So naturally, the film is a coming-of-age tale about No-Name’s search for identity and meaning.

Meanwhile, Papa Smurf gets kidnapped by Razamel—Gargamel’s brother, of all people. So now it’s up to the Smurfs to save the old wizard.

The most interesting part? The movie finally attempts to answer a question we’ve all ignored for decades: What exactly is a Smurf? Seriously. Ask anyone, “What is a Smurf?” and they’ll probably shrug. This film takes that question head-on, which I actually found refreshing.

Same Old Story, Just Smurfed Up

But let’s be real. The whole “lost soul finds their purpose” arc is nothing new. It’s a tried-and-true cliché, and while the message—that everyone has value and purpose—is a good one for kids, the story does feel like it’s been smurfed a thousand times before.

Worse still, the movie suffers from a major cast overload. There are way too many Smurfs doing absolutely nothing. They could’ve just stuck with No-Name, Papa Smurf’s brother, and maybe one or two side characters. The rest? Pointless filler. There’s even a talking turtle. Yes, a turtle. And no, I won’t talk about turtle mating calls… but let’s just say the film gets weird sometimes.

A-Listers Everywhere (But Why?)

And what’s up with the insane voice cast? James Corden voices No-Name. Shaquille O’Neal is Brainy Smurf. Russell Brand is Razamel. Marshmello (yes, the EDM artist) plays the turtle. Rainn Wilson is Smurfette. Jimmy Kimmel and John Goodman are in it too. It’s like someone spun a wheel of celebrity names and said, “Yep, that’ll do.”

The problem is, all these big names don’t really add anything. The dialogue isn’t sharper, and the story isn’t deeper. It just feels like stunt casting.

Silly, Colorful, Harmless Fun for Kids

If you take your kids to see it, just know what you’re getting into: it’s silly. It’s colorful. It’s got a few jokes only adults will catch, and yes, there are some clever, self-aware moments where the film pokes fun at itself. And honestly, that’s where it shines. When the movie just embraces its own absurdity and says, “Yeah, we know this is dumb—but let’s have fun with it,” it actually becomes enjoyable.

Will it blow your mind? No. But will your kids laugh and stay glued to their seats for 90 minutes? Probably. It’s a solid distraction, especially for kids under 10. And let’s be honest, that’s who this movie is for.

Final Verdict: Just a Harmless Holiday Flick

In the end, this film accomplishes exactly what it aims to do: be a light, fluffy, colorful kids’ movie with a positive message. It won’t define a generation, but it also won’t scar your kids for life. With a trimmed cast and tighter writing, it could’ve been great. As it stands, it’s just… fine.

Still, with a lack of fresh family options in theaters, this new Smurfs flick is a decent pick for school holidays. The kids will enjoy it. You’ll probably forget it existed by next week. But hey, sometimes that’s all a kids’ movie needs to be.