The Smurfs
When the evil wizard Gargamel chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world into New York City.
Despite a substantial budget of $110.0M, The Smurfs became a financial success, earning $563.7M worldwide—a 412% return.
2 wins & 8 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Papa Smurf
Clumsy Smurf
Patrick Winslow
Gargamel
Grace Winslow
Smurfette
Grouchy Smurf
Brainy Smurf
Gutsy Smurf
Odile Anjelou
Main Cast & Characters
Papa Smurf
Played by Jonathan Winters
The wise and caring 546-year-old leader of the Smurfs who guides his village through crisis and leads the rescue mission in New York City.
Clumsy Smurf
Played by Anton Yelchin
A well-meaning but accident-prone Smurf whose mistakes inadvertently lead the Smurfs to New York but whose courage proves vital in the climax.
Patrick Winslow
Played by Neil Patrick Harris
A stressed marketing executive at a cosmetics company who reluctantly helps the Smurfs while dealing with work pressure and impending fatherhood.
Gargamel
Played by Hank Azaria
The bumbling evil wizard obsessed with capturing Smurfs to extract their essence for his magical power, serving as the main antagonist.
Grace Winslow
Played by Jayma Mays
Patrick's pregnant wife who warmly welcomes the Smurfs into their home and helps them navigate the human world.
Smurfette
Played by Katy Perry
The only female Smurf, originally created by Gargamel but transformed into a true Smurf, who brings heart and bravery to the group.
Grouchy Smurf
Played by George Lopez
A perpetually grumpy Smurf who expresses displeasure at everything but ultimately shows loyalty and care for his fellow Smurfs.
Brainy Smurf
Played by Fred Armisen
An intellectual know-it-all Smurf who quotes Papa Smurf constantly and believes himself to be the smartest, often annoying others.
Gutsy Smurf
Played by Alan Cumming
A brave Scottish-accented Smurf who wears a kilt and shows fearless determination in the face of danger.
Odile Anjelou
Played by Sofia Vergara
Patrick's demanding and intimidating boss at the cosmetics company who puts enormous pressure on him to deliver a campaign.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The idyllic Smurf Village is shown in all its magical glory during the Blue Moon Festival preparations. Clumsy Smurf is introduced causing his usual well-meaning accidents, establishing his role as the village outcast who doesn't fit in.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Clumsy accidentally leads Gargamel directly to the hidden Smurf Village during the Blue Moon Festival. The village is discovered and attacked, forcing the Smurfs to flee for their lives.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to The Smurfs emerge from the portal into Central Park, New York City - a completely alien world. They are now trapped in the human world with no clear way home, marking their entry into Act 2., moving from reaction to action.
At 52 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False victory: The Smurfs help Patrick create a winning marketing campaign pitch, and they discover the spell to return home requires a "star gazer" located at Belvedere Castle. Everything seems to be coming together perfectly., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (71% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Gargamel captures Papa Smurf at Belvedere Castle. Clumsy blames himself entirely, believing his clumsiness has doomed everyone. The Smurfs' only hope for getting home and their leader are both lost., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Clumsy realizes that his "clumsiness" can be used strategically - his unpredictability is actually an advantage against Gargamel. The Smurfs and Winslows unite with a plan to rescue Papa Smurf and get home before the Blue Moon sets., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Smurfs's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Smurfs against these established plot points, we can identify how Raja Gosnell utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Smurfs within the animation genre.
Raja Gosnell's Structural Approach
Among the 9 Raja Gosnell films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Smurfs exemplifies the director's characteristic narrative technique. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Raja Gosnell filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll. For more Raja Gosnell analyses, see Never Been Kissed, Show Dogs and The Smurfs 2.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The idyllic Smurf Village is shown in all its magical glory during the Blue Moon Festival preparations. Clumsy Smurf is introduced causing his usual well-meaning accidents, establishing his role as the village outcast who doesn't fit in.
Theme
Papa Smurf tells Clumsy: "You are a part of this village and you always will be." This statement of acceptance and belonging, despite imperfection, is the thematic core that will be tested throughout the story.
Worldbuilding
We explore Smurf Village customs, the Blue Moon Festival significance, establish Gargamel as the threat who seeks to capture Smurfs for their essence, and see Clumsy's repeated failures despite trying to help with preparations.
Disruption
Clumsy accidentally leads Gargamel directly to the hidden Smurf Village during the Blue Moon Festival. The village is discovered and attacked, forcing the Smurfs to flee for their lives.
Resistance
During the chaotic chase through the Forbidden Falls, Clumsy and several Smurfs are swept through a magical portal. Papa Smurf debates whether to follow them or stay in the village, ultimately choosing to rescue his lost Smurfs.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Smurfs emerge from the portal into Central Park, New York City - a completely alien world. They are now trapped in the human world with no clear way home, marking their entry into Act 2.
Mirror World
The Smurfs meet Patrick and Grace Winslow. Patrick is a marketing executive anxious about impending fatherhood and not feeling ready - mirroring Clumsy's own insecurities about belonging and being adequate.
Premise
Fish-out-of-water comedy as the Smurfs explore New York City, hide in Patrick's apartment, help him with his marketing campaign, and bond with the Winslows. Meanwhile, Gargamel also arrives in NYC and begins hunting them.
Midpoint
False victory: The Smurfs help Patrick create a winning marketing campaign pitch, and they discover the spell to return home requires a "star gazer" located at Belvedere Castle. Everything seems to be coming together perfectly.
Opposition
Gargamel's magic grows stronger in the human world. Patrick's boss Odile turns against him. Clumsy's continued accidents strain relations. Papa Smurf begins losing hope, and tensions rise within the group as the Blue Moon deadline approaches.
Collapse
Gargamel captures Papa Smurf at Belvedere Castle. Clumsy blames himself entirely, believing his clumsiness has doomed everyone. The Smurfs' only hope for getting home and their leader are both lost.
Crisis
Clumsy spirals into despair, convinced he ruins everything. The other Smurfs comfort him, and Patrick - inspired by Papa Smurf's faith in Clumsy - encourages him. Patrick realizes he's ready to be a father, having learned from Papa Smurf's example.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Clumsy realizes that his "clumsiness" can be used strategically - his unpredictability is actually an advantage against Gargamel. The Smurfs and Winslows unite with a plan to rescue Papa Smurf and get home before the Blue Moon sets.
Synthesis
The finale at Belvedere Castle: Clumsy leads the rescue using his unique "talents," they defeat Gargamel, rescue Papa Smurf, and make it through the portal home. Patrick stands up to his boss and embraces fatherhood. Both worlds are saved.
Transformation
Back in Smurf Village, Clumsy is celebrated as a hero. He accidentally causes one more mishap, but now everyone laughs with him, not at him - he belongs. Patrick welcomes fatherhood with confidence. Both protagonists have found where they belong by accepting who they are.