The Smurfs are back on the big screen after an eight-year hiatus. Following Sony’s Smurf film series, the Smurf brand agreed to partner with Paramount Animation to produce additional movies and continue expanding the franchise. Now, the first film in the partnership, Smurfs, has arrived.
Viewers interested in catching up on the Smurf franchise can use our guide to find out where to watch every Smurfs movie and TV series in order on platforms like Paramount+, Hulu, and more.
The Smurfs (1961)
The Smurfs is the very first TV adaptation of The Smurfs comic book series. The black-and-white series, which ran from 1961 to 1967, follows the adventures of the Smurfs in Smurf Village, often featuring magic and fantasy elements. Unfortunately, many of the episodes were lost; however, Peyo restored several episodes in honor of The Smurfs' 65th anniversary in 2023. Five episodes were also selected for a Smurf compilation movie.
The Adventures of the Smurfs (1965)
The Adventures of the Smurfs was the first film adaptation of The Smurfs. It’s a compilation film comprising five separate black-and-white episodes from the The Smurfs series. Each short sees the Smurfs get into some shenanigans, whether it's finding magical eggs, meeting a dragon, searching for a way to fly, or dealing with a mysterious malady. The Adventures of the Smurfs was highly faithful to the source material, featuring the comics’ penchant for randomness, zany adventures, and magical phenomena. It’s an excellent watch for viewers interested in the origins of the Smurfs on-screen and experiencing the old-school Smurfs.
The Smurfs and the Magic Flute (1976)
Inspired by the 1958 comic book of the same name, The Smurfs and the Magic Flute features a Medieval king acquiring a magical flute that causes everyone to dance whenever it’s played. However, when the villainous Matthew McCreep steals the flute, it’s up to court jester Peewit to track him down and save the day, though his adventure takes an unexpected turn when he happens across a Smurf. The Smurfs and the Magic Flute is very comic book-accurate, especially considering Smurfs creator Peyo’s involvement in the screenplay. While some viewers may be disappointed that the Smurfs don’t appear on-screen until partway through the film, it boasts strong animation and intriguing dynamics between the Smurfs and humans.
The Smurfs (1981)
The Smurfs animated TV series marked the characters’ on-screen debut in the U.S. and their breakthrough into pop culture. The series follows the Smurfs’ daily adventures in Smurf village, where they live comfortably under the leadership of Papa Smurf (Don Messick) and fend off the evil wizard Gargamel (Paul Winchell) and his cat Azrael (Messick). It quickly became a staple of the Saturday morning cartoon lineup, garnering interest with its heartwarming, charming stories and the comedic, goofy antics of the Smurfs. The Smurfs, which ran for an impressive nine seasons, became so popular that the characters quickly expanded into merchandise, solidifying the Smurfs as pop culture icons.
The Smurfs (2011)
The first modern Smurfs feature film adaptation, The Smurfs, is a hybrid of live-action and animation, with the Smurfs appearing in computer animation and the humans portrayed in live-action. In The Smurfs, three Smurfs are driven from Smurf village by the evil wizard Gargamel (Hank Azaria), landing in Manhattan, where they seek the help of marketing executive Patrick Winslow (Neil Patrick Harris) to get back home. The film started the trend of tapping A-list actors and celebrities to voice the Smurfs, dazzling fans with its cast and the sophisticated animation of the beloved characters. It even included a few adult jokes to solidify its universal appeal.
The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol (2011)
The short film The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol was released in December 2011, accompanying the DVD release of The Smurfs (2011). Based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the film sees Grouchy Smurf (George Lopez) attempt to ruin Christmas for the Smurfs with his nasty attitude. However, the Smurf Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future visit him, challenging him to appreciate the holiday. The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol is a special treat for fans of A Christmas Carol adaptations, offering a fun and lighthearted spin on the classic story through a Smurf lens.
The Smurfs 2 (2013)
Following its box office success, The Smurfs (2011) received a sequel, The Smurfs 2. The sequel sees Gargamel (Azaria) kidnap Smurfette (Katy Perry) as part of his latest evil plans to take down Smurf village. Desperate to save their friend, the Smurfs call on their human friend Patrick (Harris) for help once more. Most of The Smurfs’ voice cast returned for The Smurfs 2, while the film also welcomed newcomers Christina Ricci, Brendan Gleeson, and Jacob Tremblay. The Smurfs 2 capitalized on the nostalgia and pop culture appeal of The Smurfs, while aiming the film more directly at younger audiences, making it a light, amusing watch.
The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow (2013)
The short film The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow serves as a sequel to The Smurfs 2 and is loosely based on “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving. In the short, Gutsy Smurf (Alan Cumming) is determined to find out how Brainy Smurf (Fred Armisen) keeps winning the annual Smurfberry Hunt, but unwittingly ends up in the eerie Smurfy Hollow where legend claims the Headless Horseman resides. The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow is another kid-friendly and charming take on a classic story. Tthe short boasts just as dazzling animation as the feature-length films, making it a hidden gem for Smurfs fans.
Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017)
Following the disappointing box office performance of The Smurfs 2, Sony opted to reboot the film series with Smurfs: The Lost Village. The film centers on Smurfette (Demi Lovato), the only female Smurf in Smurf village, who was created by the wizard Gargamel (Rainn Wilson). Feeling out of place among the Smurfs, Smurfette becomes determined to find a legendary, hidden village with mysterious inhabitants. Unlike the other Smurfs films, Smurfs: The Lost Village is wholly animated. Meanwhile, critics gave it much more favorable reviews, especially praising the depth the film provides to the franchise’s sole female character, Smurfette.
The Smurfs (2021)
The Smurfs (2021) serves as a reboot of the 1981 animated series. Like Smurfs: The Lost Village, the series is fully computer-animated. Featuring 15-minute episodes, The Smurfs tackles numerous adventures of the Smurfs in Smurfs village, drawing inspiration from many comic book storylines. It boasts the sophisticated animation of Smurfs: The Lost Village, as well as the nostalgia and comic book accuracy of the 1981 series. Additionally, The Smurfs is fast-paced, with short, neat episodes that are perfect for entertaining young audiences.
Smurfs (2025)
Smurfs marks the second reboot of the film series. In the film, brother wizards Razamel and Gargamel (JP Karliak) kidnap Papa Smurf (John Goodman), leading No Name Smurf (James Corden) and Smurfette (Rihanna) to form an expedition to rescue him. In keeping with tradition, Smurfs has a stacked cast, including Rihanna, Nick Offerman, Sandra Oh, Jimmy Kimmel, and Kurt Russell. It retains the franchise’s penchant for humor and zany adventures, while also adding a musical element to further appeal to young audiences.
Where To Watch The Smurfs TV Shows And Movies Online
To discover more about TV shows and movies currently streaming in the US, check out the JustWatch streaming guide! You can filter your search by streaming service, genre, price, age rating, and score. Be sure to build your watchlist and receive helpful notifications on what to watch next based on your preferences!
