The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants — A Nautical Animated Adventure.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is the 2025 animated comedy-adventure continuation of one of the most beloved and enduring cartoons in modern pop culture — SpongeBob SquarePants. Directed by Derek Drymon, this movie takes the world’s favorite sponge on a wild underwater journey that builds on the franchise’s goofy humor, heartfelt friendships, and cartoon absurdity. It premiered at the AFI Film Festival on October 26, 2025, and was theatrically released in the United States on December 19, 2025 by Paramount Pictures.
In an era where animated films often try to balance witty adult humor with kid-centric gags, this movie leans into the surreal chaos and buoyant energy that have kept SpongeBob a favorite for over two decades, offering both a nostalgic watch for longtime fans and a fresh ride for new viewers of all ages.
How Many Cast — And Who’s in the Movie.
Animation means voice acting is essential, and Search for SquarePants brings together a fun, diverse cast — mixing longtime regulars with new celebrity voices.
Main Voice Cast
Here are the principal voices in the movie:
- Tom Kenny as SpongeBob SquarePants — the ever-enthusiastic sea sponge and main character.
- Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick Star — SpongeBob’s loyal (and hilariously dim) best friend.
- Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs — shop-owner crab and father figure to SpongeBob.
- Rodger Bumpass as Squidward Tentacles — SpongeBob’s cynical neighbor.
- Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy Cheeks — the Texas-born squirrel scientist.
- Mr. Lawrence as Plankton — the pint-sized schemer.
- Mark Hamill as The Flying Dutchman — the ghost pirate who drives the adventure.
- Regina Hall as Barb — new supporting character.
- George Lopez as JK Fishlips — another new face in Bikini Bottom.
- Ice Spice as Ticket Taker — a voice cameo by the well-known music artist.
- Arturo Castro as Ride Operator, and Sherry Cola as Studio Spokesperson/Krusty Krab Patron — rounding out the fun, kooky cast.
When including smaller speaking roles and characters with brief vocal moments, the total credited cast in this theatrical film is around a dozen or so performers, each adding color to Bikini Bottom’s surreal world.
Who Is the “Means” (Main) Character?
The clear central figure — or “means character” — is SpongeBob SquarePants himself, voiced by Tom Kenny. The story follows his emotional arc and personal goals more than any other character’s, making him the heart and driving force of the narrative.
In this movie, SpongeBob is determined to prove his bravery and earn the approval — and ultimate praise — of Mr. Krabs (his boss and mentor figure). To do this, he sets out on a daring sea quest alongside his best friend Patrick to confront the mysterious Flying Dutchman, a ghostly pirate legend. The journey into the Underworld (the deep sea) isn’t just physical but deeply personal: SpongeBob grapples with his own self-doubt, identity, and what it means to truly grow up and be a “big guy.”
Though the cast has notable side characters — like Patrick’s comic relief, Mr. Krabs’s supportive (if greedy) influence, and Mark Hamill’s eerie Flying Dutchman — SpongeBob’s arc of proving himself and finding courage is the emotional and narrative center of the movie, making him the unequivocal main character.
Box Office (“Box Collection”) — What the Movie Made.
Commercially, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants performed solidly, especially for a franchise animated film released amid stiff competition during the holiday season. According to box office data:
- Production Budget: Approximately $64 million.
- Worldwide Box Office Total: Around $159–160 million globally.
- Domestic (U.S. & Canada): About $70.5 million.
- International: Around $89.1 million.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants film’s opening was competitive — with estimates placing its early weekend gross around $15.6 million domestically from roughly 3,557 theaters in its first frame.
While it didn’t unseat major blockbusters like Avatar: Fire and Ash, it still carved out a respectable box office showing, especially given its release timing late in the year when theater attendance is often split among many titles.
The Niche — Who This Movie Is For.
Search for SquarePants fits into several overlapping audience niches:
Longtime SpongeBob Fans
Viewers who grew up watching The SpongeBob Movieon television (since 1999) will appreciate the continuity of character voice talent, running jokes, and callbacks to series lore.
Families and Kids
Rated PG, the film is crafted for kids and families to enjoy together. Its humor works on multiple levels — slapstick and visual gags for children, and clever nods for adults familiar with the franchise’s history.
Animated Adventure and Comedy Lovers
For fans of animated adventure films that blend silly humor with heroic arcs — along with surreal, absurdist comedy — this movie delivers entertainment in the vein of classics like The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004) and Sponge on the Run (2020).
Fans of Voice Talent & Cameos
Featuring voices from pop culture (like Ice Spice and George Lopez alongside seasoned animation actors like Tom Kenny and Clancy Brown) broadens appeal to audiences who also enjoy celebrity involvement in animated features.
Holiday Moviegoers
Its mid-December theatrical release strategically positions it as a holiday family outing, perfect for kids on winter break and families looking for lighthearted festive entertainment.
Detailed Dive — Story, Themes, Style, and Execution.
Plot Overview (Without Major Spoilers)
In The SpongeBob Movie SpongeBob — ever eager to prove himself — decides that the best way to show he’s not just a goofy sponge but a “big guy” (someone capable and brave) is to go on a grand adventure beyond Bikini Bottom.
The catalyst is a challenge or expectation — often coming from his beloved but demanding mentor figure Mr. Krabs — who wants SpongeBob to demonstrate growth and bravery. To do this, SpongeBob seeks out the legendary Flying Dutchman, a spectral pirate whose underworld is said to test even the bravest souls.
Accompanied by Patrick Star and encountering many familiar Bikini Bottom characters along the way, SpongeBob’s journey takes him to the deepest, most unexplored parts of the sea — places no Sponge (or starfish) has gone before. The mission becomes as much a test of self-confidence and identity as it is a daring undersea quest, and along the way he learns about fear, friendship, resilience, and what it actually means to be courageous.
Themes and Messages
Despite its goofy and surreal surface, the movie carries recognizably universal themes:
Growing Up and Proving Yourself
At the heart of the story is SpongeBob’s desire to be seen as more than a cartoon goofball — to show he can be responsible, brave and capable when it counts. This reflects a classic coming-of-age arc, but told in signature SpongeBob style.
Friendship and Loyalty
Patrick’s constant support reminds audiences that you don’t have to be alone to prove your bravery — real bravery often comes through community and trust.
Humor and Resilience
Even in absurd peril, SpongeBob’s humor becomes a survival tool, not just for laughs but as emotional resilience, showing that joy and silliness can go hand-in-hand with courage.
Identity and Belonging
Through confrontations with ghostly figures like the Flying Dutchman and journeying into unknown underwater vistas, SpongeBob learns more about who he is, not just who others expect him to be.
Visual Style and Direction
Derek Drymon — a longtime veteran of the SpongeBob universe — directs with a clear love for both the show’s history and the movie’s broad cinematic canvas.
The visual style stays true to the series’ bright, colorful, and rubbery slapstick aesthetic, but expands the underwater world with lush backgrounds, larger-than-life set pieces, and expressive animation that emphasizes both quirky character emotions and dynamic adventure sequences.
Humor is woven into both animation and narrative pacing — from silly underwater antics to slapstick action — keeping audiences engaged and laughing throughout the 1h 28m runtime.
Critical & Audience Reception.
Critically, the film has been well-received for what it aims to do: deliver charm, laughs, and heartfelt moments within a SpongeBob world. On review aggregator sites, it holds a fresh score around 80–82% from critics, with praise for its animation, humor, and faithful tone to the franchise.
Audience scores show that fans broadly enjoy it too — with positive feedback about its silly spirit and the emotional core of SpongeBob’s journey. Verified audience ratings indicate a favorable response overall.
Reviews highlight that while the movie isn’t trying to be deeply profound or award-winning, it succeeds very well at what it sets out to do: be a fun, family-friendly, laugh-filled adventure that honors the character’s spirit.
Why Search for SquarePants Matters.
- Legacy Continuation: It marks the fourth theatrical SpongeBob sequel, extending a franchise over a 25+ year legacy while maintaining its playful charm.
- Animation That Appeals Broadly: Its mix of goofy humor and cinematic adventure makes it appealing to both kids and adults who grew up watching the show.
- Holiday Box Office Presence: Released in December, the movie carved out space in a crowded release window, proving nostalgic brands still have traction.
- Themes of Growth & Courage: Beneath its silliness lies a story about self-confidence and proving oneself — themes that resonate beyond the screen.
- Voice Cast Variety: Blending longtime voice talent with new celebrity voices (like Ice Spice) brings broader cultural appeal.
Final Thoughts.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is not just another animated sequel — it’s a joyful, silly, and heartfelt continuation of a beloved franchise that has entertained millions for decades. Combining slapstick humor, colorful animation, and universal themes about bravery, friendship, and identity, the movie manages to entertain kids and bring smiles to nostalgic adults alike. Its box office success — nearly 2.5× its production budget — demonstrates that even in a crowded holiday season, SpongeBob remains a box office force.
Whether you grew up watching Bikini Bottom antics or are experiencing SpongeBob’s world for the first time, Search for SquarePants delivers a vibrant, silly, and surprisingly warm story about proving yourself — even if you’re just a humble sea sponge.
