Smurfs Movie Flops With Critics But Finds Audience

The new Smurfs animated movie, led by voice actors Rihanna and John Goodman, has received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics, earning a 21% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Commercially, the film underperformed with an estimated $12 million opening weekend against its $58 million budget. While critics labeled the movie uninspired and derivative, audience response was notably more positive, with a 67% Rotten Tomatoes audience score—the highest for any installment in the franchise and the only 'fresh' rating from viewers. The film's visuals and celebrity cast were praised, but these aspects were seen as insufficient to overcome criticism of its generic plot and humor. Compared to previous animated reboots, this release is widely regarded as a disappointment. The franchise continues to face challenges in balancing fan nostalgia with new storytelling.