The Smurfs have been coloring pop culture blue since 1958, when they were first introduced in Belgian comics. Over the decades, they’ve popped up in everything from 1965’s Les Aventures des Schtroumpfs to the iconic 1980s animated series. After that golden run, the little blue mushroom dwellers faded from the spotlight—until Hollywood tried to revive them with two awkwardly animated live-action hybrids in 2011 and 2013.
Then came 2017’s Smurfs: The Lost Village, a fully computer-generated reboot aimed at reintroducing the charm of the Smurfs for a new generation. It steered away from live-action and leaned entirely into animation, in an attempt to reconnect with the magic of the originals.
“There are these tiny little cute, blue people who live in a little village of mushrooms,” actor Joe Manganiello said of the film. “And they run around and go on adventures. I mean what’s not… so happy about that?” It’s a fair summary. The story follows a group of Smurfs as they venture beyond the safety of their mushroom-filled village, journeying through the mysterious Forbidden Forest and eventually discovering the titular Lost Village. Naturally, the evil wizard Gargamel is close behind, determined to ruin their fun as always.
Though the movie was clearly geared toward children, the creators aimed to make it more than just a lighthearted romp. Director Kelly Asbury hoped viewers would come away with a little something deeper. “Every film from the earliest movies… the best movies, you leave the theater with some lesson learned,” he explained. “I hope that people leave with a sense of empowerment for themselves, and also as a group. And how teamwork can help you.”
Like most modern animated films, The Lost Village brought in big celebrity names for voice work. Among them was Mandy Patinkin, who took on the role of Papa Smurf. For him, the experience was unexpectedly personal. “I like looking for parts that make me feel like a good person today, at this point in my life,” Patinkin shared. He connected the project to a poignant moment: “My best friend before he passed… he raised himself out of the bed with his last ounces of strength and he said, ‘Have fun.’ And I just thought, that is the definition of this Smurf movie.”
Despite its heartfelt intentions and colorful animation, Smurfs: The Lost Village didn’t land the way it hoped to. The film lacked the cleverness or originality needed to make a lasting impression, and as a result, no sequel followed. It wasn’t necessarily terrible, but it wasn’t great either. More than anything, it just felt forgettable.
Still, the Smurfs remain iconic, and given Hollywood’s deep love for reboots and nostalgia, it’s safe to assume they’ll return again. After all, as one line from the film reminds us, “We’re Smurfs. We do the right thing.” Hopefully next time, that includes making a movie that’s truly unforgettable.
