The Smurfs in film facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Smurfs
Logo used for the 2011–2013 films and short films
Creator	Peyo
Original work	Les Aventures des Schtroumpfs (1965)
Owner	Studio Peyo Sony Pictures Animation (Sony Pictures) (The Smurfs, The Smurfs 2, The Lost Village) Paramount Animation (Paramount Pictures) (Smurfs)
Films and television
Films	1960s Les Aventures des Schtroumpfs "The Smurfnapper" "The Smurfs and the Magic Egg" "The Black Smurfs" "The Smurfs and the Dragon" "The Flying Smurf" 1970s The Smurfs and the Magic Flute 2010s The Smurfs The Smurfs 2 The Lost Village 2020s Smurfs
Short films	The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow

The Smurfs are tiny blue creatures. They live in a magical village. These characters were created by a Belgian artist named Peyo. The Smurfs have starred in many movies and short films. These films are based on Peyo's comic books. They also take ideas from the 1980s animated TV show.

The first Smurfs movie came out in 1965. It was an animated film. Another animated movie, The Smurfs and the Magic Flute, followed in 1976. Many years later, Sony Pictures Animation made new Smurfs films. The Smurfs was released in 2011. Its sequel, The Smurfs 2, came out in 2013. These movies mixed live actors with animated Smurfs. Famous actors like Hank Azaria and Neil Patrick Harris appeared. Voice actors included Katy Perry and Jonathan Winters.

In 2017, a fully animated movie called Smurfs: The Lost Village was released. It was a fresh start for the film series. A new musical Smurfs movie is being made by Paramount Animation. It will combine live-action and animation. This film is expected to be released in July 2025.

Smurfs Movies

Early Films from Europe

Les Aventures des Schtroumpfs (1965)

This film was made in Belgium and France. It was a collection of five short cartoons. These shorts were originally shown on TV. They were all in black and white.

• Smurfnapped: A Smurf is captured by the evil wizard Gargamel. The other Smurfs must save him.
• The Smurfs and the Magic Egg: The Smurfs find a magic egg. They don't know Gargamel created it.
• The Black Smurfs: A sickness spreads through the Smurf village.
• The Smurfs and the Dragon: The Smurfs become friends with a friendly dragon.
• The Flying Smurf: One Smurf tries to learn how to fly like a bird.

The Smurfs and the Magic Flute (1976)

This movie takes place in a castle during the Middle Ages. A jester named Peewit finds a special flute. This flute only has six holes. When Peewit plays it, everyone starts to dance!

A bad man named Matthew McCreep learns about the flute. He steals it from Peewit. McCreep uses the flute to rob people. The King sends Peewit and a young knight named Johan to catch him.

Johan and Peewit visit a wizard named Homnibus. The wizard sends them to Smurfland. There, they meet the Smurfs and Papa Smurf. Papa Smurf tells them the magic flute was made in Smurfland. The Smurfs decide to make a new flute. This new flute will help stop McCreep.

After making the new flute, Johan and Peewit return to the wizard's house. Meanwhile, McCreep has stolen a lot of gold. He plans to hire an army. Two Smurfs overhear his plan. The Smurfs give Johan and Peewit the new magic flute. They all go to the port to stop McCreep.

They follow McCreep to an island. Peewit and McCreep face off. They both play their magic flutes. Peewit wins by playing one last strong note. McCreep and his partner are caught. All the stolen money is returned. Peewit now has two magic flutes. Johan tells him the flutes are dangerous. Peewit secretly carves a fake flute. He gives the fake flute to the Smurfs. Later, Peewit tries to play his flute. He realizes it's the fake one!

American-Produced Films

Sony Pictures Animation Films (2011–2017)

The Smurfs (2011)

This was the first computer-animated Smurfs film. It also featured live actors. The movie was directed by Raja Gosnell. In the story, the Smurfs are trying to escape Gargamel. They accidentally end up in Central Park in New York City. The Smurfs must find a way back home. They also need to avoid Gargamel in this new, giant world.

The Smurfs 2 (2013)

The sequel, The Smurfs 2, was released in 2013. Raja Gosnell returned as director. Most of the original cast also came back. New characters included the Naughties. These were evil Smurf-like creatures created by Gargamel.

Gargamel learns that only a real Smurf can give him what he wants. He also finds out that only Smurfette can turn the Naughties into real Smurfs. So, Gargamel kidnaps Smurfette. He takes her to Paris. Papa Smurf, Clumsy, Grouchy, and Vanity go to the human world. They ask their friends, Patrick and Grace Winslow, for help. They all work together to rescue Smurfette. This was the last film for voice actor Jonathan Winters. He passed away before the movie was released.

Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017)

This film was a fully animated adventure. It was produced by Sony Pictures Animation. Kelly Asbury directed the movie. The film explored the origins of the Smurfs. It had new designs for the characters. These designs looked more like Peyo's original artwork.

The movie was released on April 7, 2017. It received mixed reviews. However, many people thought it was better than the live-action films. Mandy Patinkin voiced Papa Smurf. Demi Lovato was the voice of Smurfette. Rainn Wilson voiced Gargamel.

Paramount Pictures Films

Smurfs (2025)

In 2022, it was announced that Paramount Animation would make new Smurfs films. The first project is an animated musical movie. Pam Brady wrote the script. Chris Miller is directing the film.

The movie's release date was moved to July 18, 2025. At CinemaCon in 2023, it was announced that Rihanna would voice Smurfette. She is also producing the film. Rihanna is writing and recording original songs for the movie. The film's official title was revealed as The Smurfs Movie in April 2024. Many other actors joined the cast. These include Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, and John Goodman.

Short Films

The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol

This was a Christmas TV special. It was released on DVD in December 2011. It was included with The Smurfs movie.

The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow

This is a 22-minute animated Halloween special. It is based on the classic story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The special first showed at a film festival in June 2013. It was released on DVD in September 2013. It later aired on TV in October. Stephan Franck directed it. Voice actors included Melissa Sturm, Alan Cumming, and Hank Azaria. The special used both computer animation and hand-drawn animation.

Cast and Characters

This table shows the main actors and characters in the Smurfs films.

• A gray cell means the character was not in that movie or short.