On Sept. 12, 1981, NBC first aired a cartoon series that would go on to become a classic and change the world of animated series forever. Viewers all across the country tuned in to watch the very first episode of The Smurfs, and television has never been the same.
The quirky, quintessentially ’80s cartoon centered around a family of small blue creatures living in homes shaped like mushrooms in the middle of the forest, fans instantly fell in love. The show was an adaptation of a Belgian comic series, by Peyo, a popular cartoonist, and at the time, nobody could have known what a tremendous worldwide success it would go on to become.
The Smurfs was such a big hit that it ran for nine seasons, including 256 episodes and seven specials, solidifying its place as one of the longest-running Saturday morning shows of its time.
Today, fans can hardly believe that it debuted 44 years ago, and for some, it feels like it was yesterday. Many took to Instagram to celebrate the anniversary of series’ premiere, flooding the comments section with blue hearts and plenty of memories.
“One of my favorite childhood cartoons 💙,” wrote one Smurfs fan.
“Every morning! Blanket, pillow, stuffed animal and a sugary bowl of cereal in front of console TV for the next two hours. Was nothing better!” added another.
“Seeing this, it feels like it was just yesterday! 😍” shared a third.
“Not only did I watch, but I collected everything Smurf! In fact, I still have the many Smurf miniatures I collected in a Smurf shaped carrying case!” commented yet another Smurfs fan.
The Smurfs have gone on to secure a permanent place in pop culture history, and if the recently released Smurf films and series reboot are any indication, the franchise has transcended generations.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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