Director: Chris Miller
Duration: 92min
Release in Belgium: 16/07/2025

The Smurfs is not a sequel but rather the third animated film version of The Smurfs.
The Belgian cartoonist Peyo made the Smurfs famous through his comics and animated series, which became hugely popular across the Low Countries. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the TV series gained recognition in the United States.

This film features multiple animation styles, even teleporting the Smurfs into the human world, giving it a semi, live-action feel, much like many modern hybrid films. The Smurfs themselves, however, remain fully animated.

The Story

The film begins in the familiar Smurf village — a peaceful place where everyone has their role and unique talent. Every Smurf contributes: Grumpy Smurf, Handy Smurf, Baker Smurf, even Clumsy Smurf. A new addition,sound effect Smurf, brings a playful dose of humor throughout the movie.

The story centers around Nameless Smurf, who feels an emptiness inside because he hasn’t yet earned a name that reflects his talent. He’s tried many things, but nothing seems to fit…

Meanwhile, the Evil Wizards of the Intergalactic Alliance are on a mission to obtain the four magical books that could turn the entire universe evil. Over a century ago, the Book of the Joyful Grimoire managed to stay out of their hands by hiding within the Smurf village. Only Big Smurf knows of its existence.
Sixty years ago, Gargamel’s brother stationed him near the village in an attempt to retrieve this powerful artifact.

While Nameless Smurf struggles to find his place in the community, he unknowingly discovers the fourth book, seemingly revealing his hidden talent at last. However, his powers inadvertently expose the book’s location to the Intergalactic Alliance, setting off a high-stakes race against time.

When Big Smurf is kidnapped, the Smurfs — lost without their leader — must learn to work together. They’re even teleported into the human world, where they encounter a different kind of Smurf: The International Neighborhood Watch Smurfs from the Paris Division, led by Ken, Big Smurf’s brother.
Will they manage to complete their mission and save both worlds?

Conclusion

The film touches on surprisingly deep themes, presented in a lighthearted way:

Unity makes you stronger than division. Family bonds don’t always guarantee love and harmony. Finding your own talents and place within a group. Breaking free from the weight of others’ expectations.

These are thoughtful messages about growing up and self-discovery.

Personally, I truly smurfed this movie, not out of pure nostalgia (I can’t even remember if I was a real fan of the Smurfs as a child), but because it’s a beautiful tribute to the history of animation. It’s a stunning blend of visual styles: at times it feels like a modern animated film, but it also revisits the hand-drawn look of the original series, merging past and present into a creative celebration of the Smurfs’ legacy.

Rating: 7.5

Text: Esmeralda Wolf