The SpongeBob SquarePants film series consists of American live-action/animated children's-comedies, based on and a continuation of the animated television series of the same name. The films are distributed by Paramount Pictures. The films feature the regular television voice cast: Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass, Clancy Brown, Mr. Lawrence, Jill Talley, Carolyn Lawrence, Mary Jo Catlett, and Lori Alan.
Plans for a film based on the series began in 2001 when Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures began approaching series creator Stephen Hillenburg for a theatrical feature. He initially refused their offers, but began developing it in 2002 upon completion of the show's third season. Hillenburg directed the film, titled The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, which was theatrically released in the United States on November 19, 2004, to critical and commercial success. It was originally planned to act as the series finale, but the series success led to the production of more episodes. Sponge of the New World, directed by former showrunner Paul Tibbitt followed in 2009. Sponge Out of Water, also directed by Tibbitt, followed in 2015. A fourth film, Sponge on the Run, was directed by former show writer Tim Hill and released in 2020. A spin-off film, titled Sandy in Texas, was directed by Betty Thomas and released in 2022.
As of February 2022, four additional films were announced to be in development, including a fourth theatrical film, titled The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, set to be released in December 2025, and three spin-off films being developed for streaming release on Paramount+ and Netflix.
Films[]
| Title | U.S. release date | Director(s) | Screenwriter(s) | Story by | Producer(s) | Executive Producer(s) | Cinematography | Editor(s) | Composer(s) | Co-production with | Animation Service(s) | Distributor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie | November 19, 2004 | Stephen Hillenburg | Derek Drymon Tim Hill Stephen Hillenburg Kent Osborne Aaron Springer Paul Tibbitt |
Stephen Hillenburg | Stephen Hillenburg Julia Pistor |
Albie Hecht Gina Shay Derek Drymon |
Jerzy Zieliński | Lynn Hobson | Gregor Narholz | Nickelodeon Movies Nickelodeon Animation Studio United Plankton Pictures |
Rough Draft Studios | Paramount Pictures |
| The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge of the New World | November 6, 2009 | Paul Tibbitt | Tim Hill Paul Tibbitt Steven Banks Aaron Springer Cassidy Brandt |
Stephen Hillenburg Paul Tibbitt |
Paul Tibbitt Julia Pistor |
Stephen Hillenburg | Hoyte von Hoytema | Christopher Lennertz | Nickelodeon Movies United Plankton Pictures Walden Media |
Rough Draft Studios (2D animation)
Sony Pictures Imagewprks (CGI animation) | ||
| The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water | February 6, 2015 | Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger | Stephen Hillenburg Paul Tibbitt |
Paul Tibbitt Mary Parent |
Cale Boyter Stephen Hillenburg Julie Young Nan Morales Craig Sost Hyejoon Yun |
Phil Méheux | David Ian Salter | John Debney | Paramount Animation Nickelodeon Movies Nickelodeon Animation Studio United Plankton Pictures |
Rough Draft Studios (2D animation)
Paramount Animation (CGI animation) | ||
| The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run | March 4, 2021[a] | Tim Hill | Tim Hill Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger |
Ryan Harris | Julie Young Stephen Hillenburg[b] |
Peter Lyons Collister | Michael W. Andrews | Hans Zimmer Steve Mazzaro |
Paramount Animation Nickelodeon Movies United Plankton Pictures Media Rights Capital |
Mikros Image | Paramount Pictures (Canada and China)
Paramount+ (United States) | |
| Sandy in Texas | August 11, 2022 | Betty Thomas | Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger | Tim Hill Paul Tibbitt Mark Osborne Cassidy Brandt |
David Ellison Dana Goldberg Don Granger Paul Tibbitt |
Ramsey Naito Julie Young |
Brandon Torst | Martin Scorsese | Christopher Lennertz Philip White |
Paramount Animation Nickelodeon Movies Skydance United Plankton Pictures |
Cinesite | Paramount Pictures |
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004)[]
- Main article: The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
In this live-action animated comedy, Plankton's plan is to steal King Neptune's crown and send it to the dangerous Shell City, and then frame Mr. Krabs for the crime. SpongeBob and Patrick must journey to Shell City while facing several perils along the way to retrieve the crown to save Mr. Krabs from Neptune's wrath and Bikini Bottom from Plankton's tyranny.
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge of the New World (2009)[]
- Main article: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge of the New World
In the film, SpongeBob and his friends enter the other side of the ocean called Pacific Drop, where they meet a group called the Protectors. Soon, Pacific Drop plunges into chaos when a mysterious gang of sharks try and take over the place. Meanwhile, Larry the Lobster is hired to guard the Krusty Krab while Mr. Krabs is gone, foiling every plan of Plankton's to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula.
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015)[]
- Main article: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water
The plot follows a pirate named Burger Beard (Antonio Banderas), who steals the Krabby Patty secret formula using a magical book that makes any text written upon it come true. After Bikini Bottom turns into an apocalyptic cesspool and the citizens turn against SpongeBob, he must team up with Plankton to find the formula and save Bikini Bottom. Later, SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, Sandy and Plankton must travel to the surface to confront Burger Beard and get the formula back before Bikini Bottom is completely destroyed.
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020)[]
- Main article: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run
The film centers on SpongeBob and Patrick traveling to the underwater Atlantic City to save Gary from King Poseidon. During the adventure, SpongeBob's friends reflect on them first meeting him at Kamp Koral. The film showcases stylized 3D animation, with most of the movie presented in full CGI and some parts featuring 3D characters interacting with live-action environments, all animated by Mikros Animation.
On January 23, 2019, it was confirmed that production on the film had officially begun. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film released in Canadian theatres on August 14, 2020, followed by a limited video on demand release and Paramount+ release on March 4, 2021. The film was directed by Tim Hill, who also wrote the screenplay with Michael Kvamme from a story by Aaron Springer, Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger. The show's principal voice actors—Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass, Clancy Brown, Mr. Lawrence, Jill Talley, Carolyn Lawrence, Mary Jo Catlett and Lori Alan—reprised their roles.
Sandy in Texas (2022)[]
- Main article: Sandy in Texas
Coming soon!
Future films[]
Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (2024)[]
In May 2021, a spin-off Sandy Cheeks feature film was announced to be in development from Nickelodeon for streaming television, and described as a hybrid feature that will put the animated title character into a live-action setting. The film will be directed by Liza Johnson from a story by Kaz and a script written by Kaz and Tom Stern.
On August 12, 2021, the title of the movie was revealed as Saving Bikini Bottom. In August 2021, it was revealed that plans to film Saving Bikini Bottom in Los Alamos were scrapped due to rewrites of the script. On February 17, 2023, it was revealed that the film would be released on Netflix in 2023, now with the added subtitle The Sandy Cheeks Movie. On April 25, 2023, a first-look at the movie was released, as well as a changed release to 2024. In addition, it was revealed that Wanda Sykes and Johnny Knoxville will join the voice cast, in addition to Carolyn Lawrence and Tom Kenny, who are reprising their regular series roles. Others in the cast in undisclosed roles will include Craig Robinson, Grey DeLisle, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, and Matty Cardarople.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (2025)[]
In August 2021, Nickelodeon CEO Brian Robbins, mentioned that "there's a new SpongeBob [film] in the works". A fourth film was officially confirmed in February 2022, with a targeted theatrical release of the film. On November 10, 2022, it was announced that the film will release in theaters on May 23, 2025. On April 27, 2023, during Paramount Pictures' CinemaCon panel, it was announced that the film would be titled The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, with longtime series writer Derek Drymon set to write and direct the film. Touted as "the series' biggest film yet", it will follow SpongeBob as he travels to the depths of the ocean and faces off against the ghost of the Flying Dutchman. On October 23, 2023, the film's release date was pushed back to December 19, 2025, with the untitled eighth Mission: Impossible film taking the May 2025 slot due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.
Untitled spin-off films[]
In addition, two character-focused spin-off films are in development with intended streaming releases exclusively on Paramount+.
Cast and characters[]
- Further information: List of SpongeBob SquarePants characters and List of SpongeBob SquarePants cast members
This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in the franchise.
- An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
- A indicates an appearance through archival footage or audio.
- C indicates a cameo role.
- Y indicates a younger version of the character.
| Characters | Films | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie | Sponge of the New World | Sponge Out of Water | Sponge on the Run | Sandy in Texas | |
| SpongeBob SquarePants | Tom Kenny | Tom Kenny
Antonio Raul CorboY |
Tom Kenny | ||
| Patrick Star | Bill Fagerbakke | Bill Fagerbakke
Jack GoreY |
Bill Fagerbakke | ||
| Squidward Tentacles | Rodger Bumpass | Rodger Bumpass
Jason MaybaumY |
Rodger Bumpass | ||
| Mr. Eugene Krabs | Clancy Brown | ||||
| Sheldon Plankton | Mr. Lawrence | ||||
| Karen Plankton | Jill Talley | ||||
| Sandy Cheeks | Carolyn Lawrence | Carolyn Lawrence
Presley WilliamsY |
Carolyn Lawrence | ||
| Mrs. Puff | Mary Jo Catlett | ||||
| Pearl Krabs | Lori Alan | Deleted scene | Lori Alan | ||
| Gary the Snail | Tom Kenny | ||||
| King Neptune | Jeffrey Tambor | Jeffrey Tambor | |||
| Princess Mindy | Scarlett Johansson | Scarlett Johansson | |||
| Dennis | Alec Baldwin | Alec BaldwinC | |||
| David Hasselhoff | Himself | HimselfC | |||
| Coming soon! | Kelsey Grammer | ||||
| Sarah Silverman | |||||
| David Hyde Pierce | |||||
| Christopher Plummer | |||||
| Burger Beard | Antonio Banderas | Antonio BanderasC | |||
| Bubbles | Matt Berry | Matt BerryC | |||
| King Poseidon | Matt Berry | ||||
| Sage | Keanu Reeves | ||||
| Otto | Awkwafina | ||||
| Chancellor | Reggie Watts | ||||
| Master of Ceremonies | Tiffany Haddish | ||||
| El Diablo | Danny Trejo | ||||
| The Gambler | Snoop Dogg | ||||
| Coming soon! | Owen Wilson | ||||
| Jamie Foxx | |||||
| Snoop Dogg | |||||
| Jim Parsons | |||||
| Carol Burnett | |||||
| Julia Roberts | |||||
| Jason Segel | |||||
| Dude Perfect | Themselves | ||||
| Patchy the Pirate | Tom Kenny | ||||
| Coming soon! | Patrick Stewart | ||||
| Carey Mulligan | |||||
| Miranda Cosgrove | |||||
| Zendaya | |||||
| Squilliam Fancyson | Dee Bradley Baker | ||||
| The Flying Dutchman | Brian Doyle-Murray | ||||
| Potty the Parrot | Stephen HillenburgA
Eric Bauza | ||||
| Machine Gun Kelly | HimselfC | ||||
| Iann Dior | HimselfC | ||||
| Florida Georgia Line | ThemselvesC | ||||
| Brooks & Dunn | ThemselvesC | ||||
| Megan Thee Stallion | HerselfC | ||||
| 24kGoldn | HimselfC | ||||
- A dark grey cell indicates the character does not appear in the film.
Notes[]
- ↑ The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run was released theatrically in Canada and China on August 14, 2020 by Paramount Pictures, but was released in the United States and elsewhere on the Paramount+ streaming service on March 4, 2021.
- ↑ The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run was the last project by with the involvement of Stephen Hillenburg prior to his death on November 26, 2018. The film was dedicated to him in his memory.