Following dismal early reactions, Smurfs has debuted to overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics, earning a low Rotten Tomatoes score. Director Chris Miller’s animated reboot struggles to find its footing, with many calling it “tedious” and weighed down by corporate overreach.
Critics aren’t loving the new Smurfs movie in reviews
Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian wrote, “This film shows yet again that there is something about the Smurfs…which is basically kryptonite to comedy and entertainment.” Mark Kermode of Kermode and Mayo’s Take described it as a “makes-no-sense…adventure in which the Smurfs slide through various multiverses like superheroes.”
Jake Coyle of the Associated Press observed, “You can almost feel IP-rights pressures animating the entire enterprise.” Odie Henderson of The Boston Globe stated, “When the credits rolled on this animated bore, I felt like a Smurfing fool for getting my hopes up.”
John Nugent from Empire Magazine gave the film 1 out of 5 stars and wrote, “It’s a tedious entry in a tedious series, with more than a whiff of corporate mandate about it.” Barry Hertz from The Globe and Mail stated, “There’s little reason for director Chris Miller…to have spent so much time and energy to push these Smurfs out into the Smurfin’ world.”
Alonso Duralde of The Film Verdict noted, “Far too much downtime between Smurfs’ sporadic delights.” Michael O’Sullivan from The Washington Post rated it 2/4 and said, “Smurfs may be all over the multiverse, but it doesn’t land anywhere worth writing home about.” Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter stated, “It’s directed by Chris Miller…who also voices Grouchy Smurf. Watching the movie makes it easy to understand why he chose that character.”
Clarisse Loughrey from The Independent (UK) gave it 1/5 and called it “simultaneously derivative and so crammed with new Smurfs lore.” Kevin Maher from The Times (UK) summarized, “Profoundly, oppressively empty. There’s no reason to see it.”
Smurfs’ Rotten Tomatoes score is in
As of July 18, 2025, Smurfs holds a 20% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 54 critic reviews. The site has not yet released an audience score for the film.
Director Chris Miller’s reboot features the voices of Rihanna as Smurfette and John Goodman as Papa Smurf. The film, distributed by Paramount Pictures, runs for 1 hour and 32 minutes and premiered in U.S. theaters on July 18, 2025.
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on SuperHeroHype.