Originally intended as a theatrical release, but ultimately released as made for TV movie that served as the Season 6 premiere for the "Smurfs" (1981) TV series due to the relative failure of other animated feature films that had been based on popular toy lines during that time.
This movie only aired a few times on television but, even though it's officially considered the Season 6 premiere of the "Smurfs" (1981)(TV series), it has been omitted from syndication.