The Smurfs

Classic Saturday-morning cartoon series featuring magical blue elf-like creatures called Smurfs. The Smurfs, named for their personalities, inhabit a village of mushroom houses in an enchanted forest. These loveable creatures are led by Papa Smurf and live carefree... except for one major threat to their existance: Gargamel, an evil but inept wizard who lives in a stone-built house in the forest; and his feline companion, the equally nasty Azrael.

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.

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

• Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!shared family animation, whimsical fantasy tone, small community under threat from a bumbling villain
• He-Man and the Masters of the Universeshared saturday morning cartoon format, magical creatures in an enchanted forest, lighthearted adventure
• The Adventures of Mr. Toadshared gentle fantasy comedy, cozy whimsical tone, bumbling wizard antagonist

Created by

Peyo

Release Date

1981-09-12

Episode runtime

11 min

Rating

7.2 / 10 (598)

What is The Smurfs about?

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

What is The Smurfs like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Smurfs as brisk, its intensity as subtle and its storytelling as simple.

Is The Smurfs violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Smurfs.

What did critics think of The Smurfs?

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

Which shows are like The Smurfs?

Shows with a similar feel include Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, and The Adventures of Mr. Toad.

How long is The Smurfs?

The Smurfs: 9 seasons, 422 episodes.

Is The Smurfs still running?

No, The Smurfs has ended.

Where can I watch The Smurfs?

In United States, The Smurfs streams on Philo, YouTube TV.