Poltersmurfs are mischievous Smurf ghosts that once tormented the Smurf Village long ago, even before Grandpa Smurf's time. They are ruthless creatures that enjoy tormenting others and also love garlic foods. They were sealed away in Castle Darkhorn by an unknown Smurf and the tale of their banishment would eventually become a legend which would be told to Grandpa Smurf.
In "Poltersmurf", Grandpa Smurf told the Smurfs the legend of the Poltersmurfs. When Brainy mocked Grandpa's story, Jokey decided to play pranks on him by pretending to be a Poltersmurf. Brainy and Clumsy then traveled to Castle Darkhorn in hopes of stopping the "Poltersmurf" (aka Jokey) that was haunting him, but in doing so they accidentally released the actual Poltersmurfs which began to run amok in the village and spreading chaos. They were eventually sealed away back into Castle Darkhorn after Papa Smurf used garlic candy to lure them back into their stone prison.