# The Smurfs (1981)

> Tiny blue Smurfs in a mushroom village in an enchanted forest dodge the schemes of the bumbling wizard Gargamel and his cat Azrael.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/5378

## Facts

- Seasons: 9
- Episodes: 422
- Episode runtime: 11 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: animation, family, comedy, fantasy
- Created by: Peyo
- Network: NBC
- Cast: Don Messick, Lucille Bliss, Frank Welker, Michael Bell, June Foray, Paul Winchell, Danny Goldman, Hamilton Camp
- TMDB rating: 7.2/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081933/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: subtle
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: none
- Tone: playful, whimsical, cozy, gentle, breezy, comforting

## What critics say

Audiences rate the classic Saturday-morning cartoon positively, valuing its gentle, playful village life and the charm of its small blue characters.

## Synopsis

The Smurfs (1981-1989) is an American animated Saturday-morning fantasy comedy series created by Peyo for NBC. Papa Smurf (voiced by Don Messick) leads a village of small blue creatures named for their personalities, including Smurfette (Lucille Bliss), Hefty Smurf (Frank Welker), Handy Smurf (Michael Bell), Jokey Smurf (June Foray) and Brainy Smurf (Danny Goldman). They live in mushroom houses deep in an enchanted forest, and their carefree days are repeatedly threatened by Gargamel (Paul Winchell), an evil but inept wizard, and his cat Azrael. Each episode is a self-contained story built around a Smurf's trait, a mishap, or a scheme against the village, giving the show an episodic, case-of-the-week rhythm that is easy to follow. Across nine seasons and hundreds of short episodes, the series stays gentle, playful and sincere, with broad slapstick and a cozy, nostalgic warmth. Its gentle whimsy and communal optimism make it a comfort rewatch for families. Fans of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe will find a similar kinship in its saturday morning cartoon spirit and bumbling-villain humor. Set in a timeless, invented fantasy world of forests and mushroom villages, it remains a classic of children's animation.

## Shows like The Smurfs

- [Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969)](https://ember.film/tv/873)
- [The Flintstones (1960)](https://ember.film/tv/1887)
- [The Littles (1983)](https://ember.film/tv/16127)
- [The Care Bears (1985)](https://ember.film/tv/2146)
- [The New Scooby-Doo Movies (1972)](https://ember.film/tv/1005)
- [Wacky Races (1968)](https://ember.film/tv/925)
- [Alvin and the Chipmunks (1983)](https://ember.film/tv/2048)
- [Heathcliff (1980)](https://ember.film/tv/11943)
- [The Smurfs (2021)](https://ember.film/tv/102633)
- [The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries (1984)](https://ember.film/tv/56712)

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