4 Across
NYT Mini • August 29, 2025
Fictional creature voiced by Rihanna, James Corden or Nick Offerman, in a 2025 animated movie
Answer:
SMURF
Hint:
This tiny blue character is part of a classic Belgian comic series and shares its name with a verb meaning to browse casually online.
Explanation:
This clue points to a blue-skinned character from the long-running Smurfs franchise, which is getting a new animated movie in 2025. Rihanna, James Corden, and Nick Offerman have all been cast as different Smurfs in past films, so the mention of their voices hints at the iconic little creatures. The answer is simply "SMURF," the name of the species, not a specific character like Smurfette or Papa Smurf. The 2025 release date confirms it’s referencing the upcoming film, not older adaptations.