"The Smurfs" is a popular animated franchise created by Belgian cartoonist Peyo in 1958. It features small, blue creatures called Smurfs who live in a peaceful village made of mushroom-shaped houses. Each Smurf has a unique personality and role, such as Papa Smurf, the wise leader, and Smurfette, the only female Smurf. The main antagonist is Gargamel, a wizard who seeks to capture the Smurfs for his own evil purposes. The franchise includes comic books, animated television series, and feature films, captivating audiences with its charming characters and whimsical adventures.