“Smurfs”: Rihanna & Henry Jackman Join Forces for a Score That’s Weird, Wonderful, and a Total Bop 

When news first broke that Rihanna would not only voice Smurfette but also produce the upcoming Smurfs movie and contribute original music, fans were immediately intrigued. The announcement practically created a new kind of internet hype: “Rihanna is Smurfette” became its own meme moment, and rightfully so. But as the film’s July 18, 2025 release approaches, it’s becoming clear that Rihanna’s involvement goes far beyond novelty — and when paired with composer Henry Jackman, the Smurfs musical direction is shaping up to be just as bold, playful, and surprising as the movie itself.  

Rihanna’s Return to Music, via the Mushroom Village 

Rihanna’s new single “Friend of Mine” is her first in three years, and while it’s technically written for a movie about blue animated creatures, the track is no joke. As Matt Patches put it in Polygon, “Friend of Mine” is, unquestionably, a bop. He goes on to say, “With all due respect to Maroon 5 and Pharrell and all the other acts who have sailed through the Despicable-Me-to-#1-pop-hit pipeline, this is how it’s done.” 

Described as a tropical, dance-inspired anthem, Friend of Mine features “very limited lyrics and more of vocal refrains,” according to Shaurya Thapa of Time Out, but it doesn’t need much to shine. The song’s breezy rhythm and vocal flourishes showcase Rihanna’s signature style of relaxation, melodic, and memorable. 

Director Chris Miller confirmed in an interview with Collider that Friend of Mine is just one of two songs Rihanna created for the film: “It is multiple. It’s two songs — one that really, really lives in the body of the movie and one towards the end of the film.” Miller added that Rihanna and Roc Nation were key collaborators in defining the film’s musical identity: “Her ability to produce, her team, the Roc Nation team, really took the reins of creating the music and zeroing in on the musical style for the film when it came to the songs.” 

As a producer on the film, Rihanna was hands-on in shaping both sound and style. She was even involved in tweaking the look of Smurfette: “It was about a year where we went around and we tried everything that we could,” Miller said, describing the process of working with her to refine Smurfette’s design. “It was funny… we ended up both, at the same time, pretty much landing back at exactly our starting point.” 

Enter: Henry Jackman’s Epic Score 

While Rihanna delivers the pop heat, composer Henry Jackman handles the orchestral heartbeat of the film. Best known for his work on Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Wreck-It Ralph, and Puss in Boots, Jackman reunites with director Chris Miller to score Smurfs. His cinematic instincts are expected to guide the film’s emotional and adventurous turns — from warm moments in Smurf Village to high-stakes missions across dimensions. 

Miller had nothing but praise for Jackman’s work: “Henry crushed the score.” He hinted that the music had to evolve as the film went from quirky village life to “a rescue mission to get Papa Smurf back,” involving magic, family secrets, and even “a whole dimensional thing” in the third act. 

A Soundtrack That Smurfs the Line Between Fun and Global 

The full Smurfs soundtrack blends Jackman’s traditional film scoring with pop from around the globe. According to NME, the album includes 14 tracks, and features contributions from Tyla, Cardi B, James Corden, and Indian-American artists like Natania and Subhi, with some songs even including Hindi lyrics. It’s a globally minded collection that reflects the diversity of the cast and the expansive world the film builds. 

As Thapa notes, the Smurfs franchise has a history of feel-good singles (like Britney Spears’ “Ooh La La” and Meghan Trainor’s “I’m A Lady”), but this reboot takes it a step further: “The film’s soundtrack promises to be a step above its precursors.”  

 What Makes This Musical Collaboration Work? 

At first glance, pairing a Grammy-winning pop icon with a film score veteran for a kid’s movie might sound like a marketing stunt. But Smurfs (2025) seems to be crafting a musical experience that’s both thoughtful and fresh. Rihanna’s return to music isn’t just a one-off — it’s embedded in the narrative. And Jackman’s score promises to elevate the visuals and emotions without overpowering them. 

Miller summed it up best when speaking about Rihanna’s dual role: “She took her time with it and found it… this is not going to be a cookie-cutter, standardized version of a ballad, for instance, that you see in an animated movie.” 

Final Thoughts 

With Rihanna bringing the pop, Jackman anchoring the emotion, and a soundtrack that blends cultures and genres, Smurfs isn’t just a reboot — it’s a musical reawakening. Whether you’re here for the nostalgia, the visuals, or the soundtrack, this could be the rare animated film where the score truly hits as hard as the story. 

Smurfs arrives in theaters on July 18, 2025. And yes — “Rihanna is Smurfette” really did deliver. 

Featured image: Rihanna in “Smurfs.” Courtesy Paramount Pictures.