SpongeBob SquarePants (film series)

{{Infobox film

| italic_title = yes

| name = SpongeBob SquarePants {{noitalic|films}}

| image = SpongeBob SquarePants Box Set.jpeg

| caption = Film collection for the series containing the first three installments

| alt = Film collection for the series

| based_on = {{Based on|SpongeBob SquarePants|Stephen Hillenburg}}

| distributor = Paramount Pictures (theatrical)
Netflix (spin-off films)
Paramount+ (3rd film)

| released = 2004–present

| runtime = 270 minutes

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget = $164 million
(Total of 3 films)

| gross = $463.6 million
(Total of 3 films)

}}

SpongeBob SquarePants is a series of live-action/animated adventure comedy films based on the Nickelodeon animated television series of the same name. The films are produced by Nickelodeon Movies and 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 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 Out of Water, directed by Paul Tibbitt, followed in 2015. A third film, Sponge on the Run, was directed by Tim Hill and released in 2020.

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 Netflix and Paramount+.

Films

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; width:99%"
scope="col" \| Title ! scope="col" \| U.S. release date ! scope="col" \| Director(s) ! scope="col" \| Screenwriter(s) ! scope="col" \| Story by ! scope="col" \| Producer(s)
colspan="6" scope="col" style="background-color:#ccccff;" \| Main series
scope="row" \| The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie \| {{Start date\|2004\|11\|19

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; width:99%"

scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | U.S. release date

! scope="col" | Director(s)

! scope="col" | Screenwriter(s)

! scope="col" | Story by

! scope="col" | Producer(s)

colspan="6" scope="col" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | Main series

scope="row" | The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie

| {{Start date|2004|11|19

}

| Stephen Hillenburg

| Derek Drymon, Tim Hill, Stephen Hillenburg, Kent Osborne, Aaron Springer & Paul Tibbitt

| Stephen Hillenburg

| Stephen Hillenburg and Julia Pistor

! scope="row" | The SpongeBob Movie:
Sponge Out of Water

| {{Start date|2015|2|6|}}

| Paul Tibbitt

| Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger

| Stephen Hillenburg & Paul Tibbitt

| Paul Tibbitt and Mary Parent

! scope="row" | The SpongeBob Movie:
Sponge on the Run

| {{Start date|2021|3|4|}}

| colspan="2" | Tim Hill

| Tim Hill and
Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger

| Ryan Harris

! scope="row" | The SpongeBob Movie:
Search for SquarePants

| {{Start date|2025|12|19}}

| Derek Drymon

| Pam Brady & Matt Lieberman

| Pam Brady, Kaz, & Andrew Goodman

| Pam Brady and Lisa Stewart

! colspan="6" scope="col" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | Netflix spin-off films

! scope="row" | Saving Bikini Bottom:
The Sandy Cheeks Movie

| {{Start date|2024|8|2}}

| Liza Johnson

| Kaz & Tom Stern

| Kaz

| Robert Engleman

! scope="row" | Plankton: The Movie

| {{Start date|2025|3|7}}

| David Needham

| Kaz, Chris Viscardi, & Mr. Lawrence

| Mr. Lawrence

| Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller

Main series

= ''The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie'' (2004) =

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 Out of Water'' (2015) =

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) =

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.{{cite web |author=Amid Amidi |date=October 23, 2018 |title=The SpongeBob Movie: It's a Wonderful Sponge Will Be An Origin Story |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/the-spongebob-movie-its-a-wonderful-sponge-will-be-an-origin-story-165568.html |access-date=October 23, 2018 |work=Cartoon Brew |archive-date=October 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031015013/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/the-spongebob-movie-its-a-wonderful-sponge-will-be-an-origin-story-165568.html |url-status=live }}

On January 23, 2019, it was confirmed that production on the film had officially begun.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spongebob-squarepants-3-movie-release-date-production/|title=SpongeBob SquarePants 3 Begins Production|work=ComicBook.com|author=Brandon Davis|date=January 23, 2019|access-date=January 23, 2019|archive-date=January 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124041828/https://comicbook.com/movies/2019/01/23/spongebob-squarepants-3-movie-release-date-production/|url-status=live}} Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film released in Canadian theaters on August 14, 2020,{{cite tweet|number=1288988083514482688|title=The happiest place on earth is a pineapple under the sea! Paramount Pictures Canada is excited to announce that THE #SPONGEBOBMOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN will open exclusively in Canadian theatres on August 14th.|user=ParamountCanada|author=Paramount Canada|date=July 30, 2020|access-date=July 30, 2020}} followed by a limited video on demand release and Paramount+ release on March 4, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/spongebob-movie-skipping-theaters-cbs-all-access-1203539493/|title=SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run Skipping Theaters to Launch On Demand and CBS All Access (EXCLUSIVE)|work=Variety|author=Rebecca Rubin|date=June 22, 2020|access-date=June 22, 2020|archive-date=June 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623134616/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/spongebob-movie-skipping-theaters-cbs-all-access-1203539493/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/spongebob-movie-sponge-on-the-run-release-paramount-plus-march-launch/|title=SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run to Debut on Paramount+ at March Launch|work=TheWrap|author=Brian Welk|date=January 28, 2021|access-date=January 29, 2021|archive-date=January 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129225042/https://www.thewrap.com/spongebob-movie-sponge-on-the-run-release-paramount-plus-march-launch/|url-status=live}} The film was directed by Tim Hill, who also wrote the screenplay with Michael Kvamme{{cite web|last=Donnelly|first=Matt|title=Paramount Animation Sets Three New Films, Including 'SpongeBob' Sequel|url=https://www.thewrap.com/paramount-animation-sets-three-new-films-including-spongebob-sequel/|access-date=April 26, 2018|work=The Wrap|date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=April 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426035935/https://www.thewrap.com/paramount-animation-sets-three-new-films-including-spongebob-sequel/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Giardina|first=Carolyn|title=Paramount Grows Its Animation Slate With 'Monster on the Hill,' 'Luck'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/paramount-grows-animation-slate-monster-hill-luck-1105912|access-date=April 26, 2018|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=April 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426052040/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/paramount-grows-animation-slate-monster-hill-luck-1105912|url-status=live}} from a story by Aaron Springer, Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/the-spongebob-movie-new-release-date-july-2020-1202432567/|title=Paramount's 'The SpongeBob Movie' To Soak Up Mid-July 2020|author=Anthony D'Alessandro|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=July 24, 2018|access-date=July 24, 2018|archive-date=July 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724184125/https://deadline.com/2018/07/the-spongebob-movie-new-release-date-july-2020-1202432567/|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|last=Anderton|first=Ethan|title=Paramount Animation Announces SpongeBob Sequel 'It's a Wonderful Sponge', Two More Animated Movies|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/spongebob-squarepants-movie-sequel/|website=/Film|publisher=Peter Sciretta|access-date=May 17, 2018|date=April 26, 2018|archive-date=June 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613160629/https://www.slashfilm.com/spongebob-squarepants-movie-sequel/|url-status=live}}

= ''The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants'' (2025) =

A fourth theatrical SpongeBob film was officially confirmed to be in development in February 2022.{{cite web |author=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=February 15, 2022 |title=SpongeBob Universe Expands With Three Paramount+ Spinoff Movies, New Theatrical Film |url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/spongebob-squarepants-paramount-plus-movies-theatrical-1234933589/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217061824/https://deadline.com/2022/02/spongebob-squarepants-paramount-plus-movies-theatrical-1234933589/ |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=February 15, 2022 |work=Deadline Hollywood}} In April 2023, during Paramount Pictures' CinemaCon panel, it was announced that the film would be titled The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, with series veteran Derek Drymon set to direct the film.{{cite web |author=Brian Welk |date=April 27, 2023 |title=Paramount Gets Animated with CinemaCon Presentation |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2023/04/spongebob-squarepants-4-transformers-one-animated-cast-1234833032/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427182902/https://www.indiewire.com/2023/04/spongebob-squarepants-4-transformers-one-animated-cast-1234833032/ |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |access-date=April 27, 2023 |work=IndieWire}} In April 2024, it was reported that the show's regular voice cast of Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, and Mr. Lawrence would reprise their roles.{{Cite web |last=Gardner |first=Chris |date=April 11, 2024 |title='The Smurfs Movie' Sets Starry Cast to Join Rihanna; Dave Bautista, Eric Nam Board 'Airbender' Franchise |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-smurfs-movie-cast-rihanna-1235871717/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411195605/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-smurfs-movie-cast-rihanna-1235871717/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} In July, Mark Hamill revealed that he would be voicing The Flying Dutchman, replacing long-time voice actor Brian Doyle-Murray.{{ cite tweet |author=Variety |author-link=Variety (magazine) |user=Variety |number=1816580363667591608 |date=25 July 2024 |title=Mark Hamill reveals he will voice the Flying Dutchman in the fourth #SpongeBob movie. #SDCC2024}} Pam Brady and Lisa Stewart would serve as producers. It is set to be released in theaters on December 19, 2025.{{cite web |author=Anthony D'Alessandro |date=October 23, 2023 |title=Mission: Impossible 8 Jumps To 2025; A Quiet Place: Day One Goes To Summer In 2024 Theatrical Shake-Up Due To Actors Strike |url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-2-quiet-place-day-one-actors-strike-1235580981/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119172435/https://deadline.com/2023/10/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-2-quiet-place-day-one-actors-strike-1235580981/ |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |access-date=October 23, 2023 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}

Spin-off films

= ''Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie'' (2024) =

In the film, when Bikini Bottom is suddenly scooped out of the ocean, Sandy Cheeks and SpongeBob SquarePants journey to Sandy's home state of Texas, where they meet Sandy's family and must save Bikini Bottom from the hands of an evil CEO.{{cite web |author=Giardina |first=Carolyn |date=April 25, 2023 |title=Netflix Animation Reveals In Your Dreams, a New SpongeBob Adventure and Additional Nimona Voice Casting |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/netflix-animation-in-your-dreams-spongebob-nimona-chicken-run-1235398448/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425132500/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/netflix-animation-in-your-dreams-spongebob-nimona-chicken-run-1235398448/ |archive-date=April 25, 2023 |access-date=April 25, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} It is the first in a series of SpongeBob character spin-off films.{{Cite web |last=Gruenwedel |first=Erik |date=March 5, 2020 |title=It's a 'SpongeBob SquarePants' World at ViacomCBS |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/its-a-spongebob-squarepants-vision-at-viacomcbs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807104935/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/its-a-spongebob-squarepants-vision-at-viacomcbs/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |access-date=April 29, 2023 |website=Media Play News |language=en-US}}{{cite web |author=Otterson |first=Joe |date=February 15, 2022 |title=SpongeBob Squarepants Spinoff Movies, Dora the Explorer Live-Action Series Set at Paramount Plus |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/spongebob-squarepants-spinoff-movies-dora-the-explorer-live-action-series-paramount-plus-1235182693/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217095247/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/spongebob-squarepants-spinoff-movies-dora-the-explorer-live-action-series-paramount-plus-1235182693/ |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=April 26, 2023 |work=Variety}} The film was directed by Liza Johnson, and written by Tom Stern and Kaz.{{cite web |author=Tasha Robinson |date=April 25, 2023 |title=Netflix reveals every original animated movie set for release in the next two years |url=https://www.polygon.com/23696595/netflix-new-animated-kids-movies-release-dates-2023-2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425132242/https://www.polygon.com/23696595/netflix-new-animated-kids-movies-release-dates-2023-2024 |archive-date=April 25, 2023 |access-date=April 25, 2023 |work=Polygon}} It stars the series' regular voice cast of Carolyn Lawrence, the voice of Sandy, Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Bill Fagerbakke, Mr. Lawrence, and Rodger Bumpass, with Johnny Knoxville, Craig Robinson, Grey DeLisle, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Matty Cardarople, and Wanda Sykes in new roles. It was released on Netflix on August 2, 2024.{{cite web |author=Moore |first=Kasey |date=May 1, 2024 |title='Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie' To Release on Netflix in August 2024 |url=https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/saving-bikini-bottom-the-sandy-cheeks-movie-to-release-on-netflix-in-august-2024/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501150941/https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/saving-bikini-bottom-the-sandy-cheeks-movie-to-release-on-netflix-in-august-2024/ |archive-date=May 1, 2024 |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=What's on Netflix}}

= ''Plankton: The Movie'' (2025) =

In June 2024, it was announced that a second SpongeBob spin-off film, following Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, was in production. Titled Plankton: The Movie, the film would feature Plankton as its lead character.{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=June 6, 2024 |title=Next on Netflix Animation Presentation Sneak-Peeks 'Wallace & Gromit' Movie, 'K-Pop: Demon Hunters,' 'Plankton' Movie, 'Motel Transylvania' and Much, Much More! |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/06/next-on-netflix-animation-presentation-sneak-peeks-k-pop-demon-hunters-plankton-movie-motel-transylvania-and-much-much-more-updating/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240608131903/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/06/next-on-netflix-animation-presentation-sneak-peeks-k-pop-demon-hunters-plankton-movie-motel-transylvania-and-much-much-more-updating/ |archive-date=June 8, 2024 |access-date=June 6, 2024 |website=Animation Magazine}} The series' regular voice cast of Mr. Lawrence, the voice of Plankton, Jill Talley, Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Clancy Brown, and Rodger Bumpass were confirmed to reprise their roles. David Needham was announced as the film's director, with Mr. Lawrence co-writing the film, alongside Kaz and Chris Viscardi. The film was released on Netflix on March 7, 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2025/01/17/2025-best-new-movies-streaming/77669026007/|title=15 new movies you'll want to stream this year, from Happy Gilmore to Bridget Jones|work=USA Today|author=Brian Truitt|date=January 17, 2025|access-date=January 18, 2025}}

= Untitled spin-off film =

In addition, a third character-focused spin-off film is in development with an intended release on Netflix.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2024-06-06 |title='SpongeBob' Antagonist 'Plankton' Is Getting His Own Netflix Movie In 2025 |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/plankton-the-movie-netflix-spongebob-squarepants-1235961187/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}

Cast and characters

{{Further|List of SpongeBob SquarePants characters|List of SpongeBob SquarePants cast members}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:99%;"
rowspan="3" style="width:10%;" \| Characters ! colspan="4" \| Main SpongeBob films ! colspan="2" \| Spin-off films
style="text-align:center; width:10%;" \| The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie ! style="text-align:center; width:10%;" \| The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water ! style="text-align:center; width:10%;" \| The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run ! style="text-align:center; width:10%;" \| The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants ! style="text-align:center; width:10%;" \| Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie ! style="text-align:center; width:10%;" \| Plankton: The Movie
2004 ! 2015 ! 2020 ! 2025 ! 2024 ! 2025
SpongeBob SquarePants \| colspan="2" \| Tom Kenny \| Tom Kenny Antonio Raul Corbo{{ref\|young\|Y}} \| colspan="3" \| Tom Kenny
Patrick Star \| colspan="2" \| Bill Fagerbakke \| Bill Fagerbakke Jack Gore{{ref\|young\|Y}} \| colspan="3" \| Bill Fagerbakke
Squidward Tentacles \| colspan="2" \| Rodger Bumpass \| Rodger Bumpass Jason Maybaum{{ref\|young\|Y}} \| colspan="3" \| Rodger Bumpass
Mr. Eugene Krabs \| colspan="6" \| Clancy Brown
Sheldon Plankton \| colspan="6" \| Mr. Lawrence
Karen Plankton \| colspan="6" \| Jill Talley
Sandy Cheeks \| colspan="2" \| Carolyn Lawrence \| Carolyn Lawrence Presley Williams{{ref\|young\|Y}} \| colspan="3" \| Carolyn Lawrence
Mrs. Puff \| colspan="6" \| Mary Jo Catlett
Pearl Krabs \| colspan="2" \| Lori Alan \| {{NA\|Lori Alan{{ref\|extended\|E}}{{cite AV media\|people=Springer, Aaron (storyboard artist)\|date=February 2, 2021\|title=The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run deleted scenes\|publisher=Paramount Home Entertainment\|type=Blu-Ray}}}} \| {{TBA}} \| colspan="1" {{N/A\|Non-speaking cameo}} \| Lori Alan
Gary the Snail \| colspan="5" \| Tom Kenny \| {{TBA}}
The Cyclops \| Aaron Hendry Neil Ross \| colspan="5" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Dennis \| Alec Baldwin \| colspan="5" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
David Hasselhoff \| Himself \| colspan="5" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Princess Mindy \| Scarlett Johansson \| colspan="5" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
King Neptune \| Jeffrey Tambor \| colspan="5" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Perch Perkins \| colspan="3" \| Dee Bradley Baker \| colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| Dee Bradley Baker
Victor \| Thomas F. Wilson \| colspan="5" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Burger Beard \| style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| Antonio Banderas \| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Bubbles \| style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| Matt Berry \| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Chancellor \| colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| Reggie Watts \| colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Otto \| colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| Awkwafina \| colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
King Poseidon \| colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| Matt Berry{{cite web\|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/snail-of-a-tale-tim-hill-gives-us-the-scoop-on-the-spongebob-movie-sponge-on-the-run/\|title=Snail of a Tale: Tim Hill Gives Us the Scoop on The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run\|work=Animation Magazine\|author=Mercedes Milligan\|date=June 11, 2020\|access-date=June 11, 2020\|archive-date=June 11, 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611222143/https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/snail-of-a-tale-tim-hill-gives-us-the-scoop-on-the-spongebob-movie-sponge-on-the-run/\|url-status=live}} \| colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Sage \| colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| Keanu Reeves \| colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
The Flying Dutchman \| colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| Mark Hamill{{ cite tweet \|author=Variety \|author-link=Variety (magazine) \|user=Variety \|number=1816580363667591608 \|date=25 July 2024 \|title=Mark Hamill reveals he will voice the Flying Dutchman in the fourth #SpongeBob movie. #SDCC2024}} \| colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Granny Cheeks \| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| rowspan="2" \| Grey DeLisle \| style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Ma Cheeks \| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Pa Cheeks \| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| Craig Robinson \| style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Randy Cheeks \| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| Johnny Knoxville \| style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Rosie Cheeks \| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| rowspan="2" \| Grey DeLisle \| style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Rowdy Cheeks \| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Kyle \| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| Matty Cardarople \| style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Sue Nahmee \| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| Wanda Sykes Jamaria Davis{{ref\|young\|Y}} \| style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|
Phoebe \| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" \| \| Ilia Isorelýs Paulino \| style="background:#d3d3d3;" \|

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:99%;"

rowspan="3" style="width:10%;" | Characters

! colspan="4" | Main SpongeBob films

! colspan="2" | Spin-off films

style="text-align:center; width:10%;" | The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie

! style="text-align:center; width:10%;" | The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

! style="text-align:center; width:10%;" | The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run

! style="text-align:center; width:10%;" | The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

! style="text-align:center; width:10%;" | Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie

! style="text-align:center; width:10%;" | Plankton: The Movie

2004

! 2015

! 2020

! 2025

! 2024

! 2025

SpongeBob SquarePants

| colspan="2" | Tom Kenny

| Tom Kenny

Antonio Raul Corbo{{ref|young|Y}}

| colspan="3" | Tom Kenny

Patrick Star

| colspan="2" | Bill Fagerbakke

| Bill Fagerbakke

Jack Gore{{ref|young|Y}}

| colspan="3" | Bill Fagerbakke

Squidward Tentacles

| colspan="2" | Rodger Bumpass

| Rodger Bumpass

Jason Maybaum{{ref|young|Y}}

| colspan="3" | Rodger Bumpass

Mr. Eugene Krabs

| colspan="6" | Clancy Brown

Sheldon Plankton

| colspan="6" | Mr. Lawrence

Karen Plankton

| colspan="6" | Jill Talley

Sandy Cheeks

| colspan="2" | Carolyn Lawrence

| Carolyn Lawrence

Presley Williams{{ref|young|Y}}

| colspan="3" | Carolyn Lawrence

Mrs. Puff

| colspan="6" | Mary Jo Catlett

Pearl Krabs

| colspan="2" | Lori Alan

| {{NA|Lori Alan{{ref|extended|E}}{{cite AV media|people=Springer, Aaron (storyboard artist)|date=February 2, 2021|title=The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run deleted scenes|publisher=Paramount Home Entertainment|type=Blu-Ray}}}}

| {{TBA}}

| colspan="1" {{N/A|Non-speaking cameo}}

| Lori Alan

Gary the Snail

| colspan="5" | Tom Kenny

| {{TBA}}

The Cyclops

| Aaron Hendry

Neil Ross

| colspan="5" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Dennis

| Alec Baldwin

| colspan="5" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

David Hasselhoff

| Himself

| colspan="5" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Princess Mindy

| Scarlett Johansson

| colspan="5" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

King Neptune

| Jeffrey Tambor

| colspan="5" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Perch Perkins

| colspan="3" | Dee Bradley Baker

| colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| Dee Bradley Baker

Victor

| Thomas F. Wilson

| colspan="5" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Burger Beard

| style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| Antonio Banderas

| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Bubbles

| style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| Matt Berry

| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Chancellor

| colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| Reggie Watts

| colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Otto

| colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| Awkwafina

| colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

King Poseidon

| colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| Matt Berry{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/snail-of-a-tale-tim-hill-gives-us-the-scoop-on-the-spongebob-movie-sponge-on-the-run/|title=Snail of a Tale: Tim Hill Gives Us the Scoop on The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run|work=Animation Magazine|author=Mercedes Milligan|date=June 11, 2020|access-date=June 11, 2020|archive-date=June 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611222143/https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/snail-of-a-tale-tim-hill-gives-us-the-scoop-on-the-spongebob-movie-sponge-on-the-run/|url-status=live}}

| colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Sage

| colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| Keanu Reeves

| colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

The Flying Dutchman

| colspan="3" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| Mark Hamill{{ cite tweet |author=Variety |author-link=Variety (magazine) |user=Variety |number=1816580363667591608 |date=25 July 2024 |title=Mark Hamill reveals he will voice the Flying Dutchman in the fourth #SpongeBob movie. #SDCC2024}}

| colspan="2" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Granny Cheeks

| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| rowspan="2" | Grey DeLisle

| style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Ma Cheeks

| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Pa Cheeks

| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| Craig Robinson

| style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Randy Cheeks

| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| Johnny Knoxville

| style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Rosie Cheeks

| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| rowspan="2" | Grey DeLisle

| style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Rowdy Cheeks

| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Kyle

| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| Matty Cardarople

| style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Sue Nahmee

| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| Wanda Sykes

Jamaria Davis{{ref|young|Y}}

| style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

Phoebe

| colspan="4" style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

| Ilia Isorelýs Paulino

| style="background:#d3d3d3;" |

A dark grey cell indicates that the character does not appear in the film.

Production

=''The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie''=

Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures had approached SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg for a film based on the show as early as 2001, but he refused for more than a year.{{cite news|last=Edelstein|first=David|title=He Lives in a Pineapple, but Then What?|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/07/movies/moviesspecial/07edel.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=August 19, 2013|date=November 7, 2004|page=1|location=Burbank, California|archive-date=December 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220032301/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/07/movies/moviesspecial/07edel.html|url-status=live}} He was concerned, after watching The Iron Giant and Toy Story with his son, about the challenge of SpongeBob and Patrick doing something more cinematically consequential and inspiring without losing what he called the SpongeBob "cadence." He said, on a break from season four post-production, "To do a 75-minute movie about SpongeBob wanting to make some jellyfish jelly would be a mistake, I think [...] This had to be SpongeBob in a great adventure. That's where the comedy's coming from, having these two naïve characters, SpongeBob and Patrick, a doofus and an idiot, on this incredibly dangerous heroic odyssey with all the odds against them." The writers decided to write a mythical hero's quest for the 2004 film: the search for a stolen crown, which brings SpongeBob and Patrick to the surface.{{cite news|last=Edelstein|first=David|title=He Lives in a Pineapple, but Then What?|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/07/movies/moviesspecial/07edel.html?pagewanted=2|work=The New York Times|access-date=August 19, 2013|date=November 7, 2004|location=Burbank, California|page=2|archive-date=February 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214205819/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/07/movies/moviesspecial/07edel.html?pagewanted=2|url-status=live}} Of the plot, Bill Fagerbakke (the voice of Patrick) said, "It's just nuts. I'm continually dazzled and delighted with what these guys came up with."The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie: The Absorbing Tale Behind The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. DVD. Paramount Home Entertainment, 2005.

Production on the first film began in 2002 after Hillenburg and the show's staff completed the third season.{{cite news|last=Koltnow|first=Barry|title=SpongeBob creator is soaking up success|url=http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/get_out/article_08af58a9-3a6c-5af6-a86a-2754502d0bd9.html|access-date=June 16, 2013|newspaper=East Valley Tribune|date=November 14, 2004|archive-date=February 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208163702/http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/get_out/article_08af58a9-3a6c-5af6-a86a-2754502d0bd9.html|url-status=live}} A tongue-in-cheek announcement of the film's plot from early on stated that it would feature SpongeBob rescuing Patrick from a fisherman in Florida. This was intended as a humorous reference to Finding Nemo and was later confirmed by Tom Kenny (the voice of SpongeBob) to be a "joke" plot to keep fans busy. Hillenburg wrote the film with five other writer-animators from the show (Paul Tibbitt, Derek Drymon, Aaron Springer, Kent Osborne and Tim Hill) over a three-month period in a room of a former Glendale, California, bank, and also directed and produced the film. Osborne said, "It was hugely fun [...] although it did get kind of gamy in there.".

The first film was intended to be the series finale; Hillenburg wanted to end the franchise after the movie was completed so it "wouldn't jump the shark". However, Nickelodeon desired more episodes due to the franchise's growing popularity.{{cite web|url=http://cartoonician.com/the-oral-history-of-spongebob-squarepants/|title=The Oral History of SpongeBob SquarePants|date=September 21, 2012|access-date=August 23, 2013|work=Hogan's Alley|author=Heintjes, Tom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831044034/http://cartoonician.com/the-oral-history-of-spongebob-squarepants/|archive-date=August 31, 2015}} Hillenburg stated: "Well, there was concern when we did the movie [in 2004] that the show had peaked. There were concerns among executives at Nickelodeon."{{cite news|last=Cavna|first=Michael|title=The Interview: 'SpongeBob' Creator Stephen Hillenburg|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2009/07/_tom_kenny_who_voices.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=August 18, 2013|date=July 14, 2009|archive-date=September 19, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919183814/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2009/07/_tom_kenny_who_voices.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=The brilliance behind SpongeBob|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2009/07/16/interview_with_spongebob_squarepants_cartoonist_steve_hillenburg/|publisher=Boston.com|access-date=August 18, 2013|date=July 16, 2009|archive-date=October 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017193547/http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2009/07/16/interview_with_spongebob_squarepants_cartoonist_steve_hillenburg/|url-status=live}} As a result, Hillenburg resigned as the series' showrunner,{{cite web|last=Bauder|first=David|title=SpongeBob Turns 10 Valued At $8 Billion|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/14/spongebob-turns-10-valued_n_231304.html|work=Huffington Post|access-date=May 22, 2013|date=July 13, 2009|archive-date=February 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208163834/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/14/spongebob-turns-10-valued_n_231304.html|url-status=live}} appointing writer, director, and storyboard artist Paul Tibbitt to succeed him.{{cite web|last=Fletcher|first=Alex|title=Paul Tibbitt ('SpongeBob SquarePants')|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/interviews/a312387/paul-tibbitt-spongebob-squarepants.html|work=Digital Spy|access-date=May 25, 2013|date=April 3, 2011|archive-date=October 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031235346/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/interviews/a312387/paul-tibbitt-spongebob-squarepants.html|url-status=dead}} Hillenburg still remained involved with the series, reviewing each episode and submitting suggestions.{{cite web|title=Nickelodeon's 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Reaches A Milestone: 10 Years|url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/nickelodeons-spongebob-squarepants-reaches-a-milestone-10-years_article_20514|work=Access Hollywood|access-date=May 25, 2013|date=July 13, 2009|archive-date=October 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030154235/http://www.accesshollywood.com/nickelodeons-spongebob-squarepants-reaches-a-milestone-10-years_article_20514|url-status=live}}

=''The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water''=

In 2010, The New York Times reported that Nickelodeon had approached the show's crew to make a second film.{{cite news|last=Barnes|first=Brooks|title=Nickelodeon Tries Again to Move to the Big Screen|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/05/business/media/05nick.html|work=The New York Times|access-date=August 12, 2013|date=July 4, 2010|quote=Other films in development include a vehicle for Miranda Cosgrove, the star of the Nickelodeon seriesiCarly, and a family adventure built around Mattel's Magic 8-Ball toy. The creators of SpongeBob SquarePants have also been approached to do another film.|archive-date=October 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013151216/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/05/business/media/05nick.html|url-status=live}} The network hoped to give itself and the global franchise "a boost" by releasing another film.{{cite web|last=Chozik|first=Amy|title=Return to Big Screen for SpongeBob|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/04/return-to-big-screen-for-spongebob/|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 25, 2013|date=March 4, 2012|archive-date=April 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407205853/http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/04/return-to-big-screen-for-spongebob/|url-status=live}} The Los Angeles Times reported that Paramount had "another SpongeBob picture" in development in March 2011.{{cite web|title=Success for Paramount's Rango could lead to end of deal with DreamWorks|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-mar-04-la-fi-0304-ct-paramount-rango-20110304-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=March 26, 2014|author1=Fritz, Ben |author2=Verrier, Richard |date=March 4, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114093108/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/mar/04/business/la-fi-0304-ct-paramount-rango-20110304|archive-date=November 14, 2012}} Philippe Dauman, then president and CEO of Paramount and Viacom, announced on February 28, 2012, that a sequel film was in development and slated for a late 2014 release.{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Daniel|title=Paramount to Release 'SpongeBob' Movie in Late 2014|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/viacom-paramount-release-spongebob-movie-late-2014-philippe-dauman295695|access-date=February 28, 2012|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 28, 2012|archive-date=March 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301150541/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/viacom-paramount-release-spongebob-movie-late-2014-philippe-dauman295695|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Levine|first=Daniel|title=Paramount announces plans to release second 'Spongebob Squarepants' film in 2014|url=http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2012/02/paramount-announces-plans-release-second-spongebob-squarepants-film-2014|access-date=October 5, 2012|publisher=TheCelebrityCafe.com|date=February 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719160413/http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2012/02/paramount-announces-plans-release-second-spongebob-squarepants-film-2014|archive-date=2013-07-19}}{{cite web|last=Chitwood|first=Adam|title=Paramount Announces New SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS Movie Set for End of 2014|url=http://collider.com/new-spongebob-squarepants-movie-2014/|publisher=Collider|access-date=March 31, 2013|date=February 28, 2012|archive-date=June 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605192838/http://collider.com/new-spongebob-squarepants-movie-2014/|url-status=live}} Dauman added that the film "will serve to start off or be one of our films that starts off our new animation effort." Nickelodeon expected the film to do much better in foreign box office than the 2004 feature, given its increasingly global reach.{{cite web|last=Vejvoda|first=Jim|title=New SpongeBob Movie Coming|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/05/new-spongebob-movie-coming|publisher=IGN|access-date=April 25, 2013|date=March 5, 2012|archive-date=January 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102153248/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/05/new-spongebob-movie-coming|url-status=live}} Dauman said, "This will continue to propel SpongeBob internationally."

Production on the second movie was announced on June 10, 2014. Stephen Hillenburg returned to act as the film's executive producer,{{citation needed|date=February 2019}} and contributed to the story of the film.{{cite video |people =Wilson, Thomas F. (Interviewer); Hillenburg, Stephen (Interviewee) |date = May 29, 2012 |title = Big Pop Fun #28: Stephen Hillenburg, Artist and Animator–Interview|url=http://ec.libsyn.com/p/d/9/8/d98c6fd6cc81f188/BPF28_Stephen_Hillenburg_artist_and_animator.mp3?d13a76d516d9dec20c3d276ce028ed5089ab1ce3dae902ea1d01c08031d1c85f7cb2&c_id=4560686 |format = mp3 |medium = Podcast|publisher = Nerdist Industries |access-date = December 21, 2013|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6M1QBJ1BZ?url=http://ec.libsyn.com/p/d/9/8/d98c6fd6cc81f188/BPF28_Stephen_Hillenburg_artist_and_animator.mp3?d13a76d516d9dec20c3d276ce028ed5089ab1ce3dae902ea1d01c08031d1c85f7cb2&c_id=4560686|archive-date=December 21, 2013}}

=''The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run''=

In a February 2015 interview discussing The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water{{'s}} success at the box office, Megan Colligan, president of worldwide distribution and marketing at Paramount Pictures, stated the possibility of a third film was "a good bet."{{cite web|title='SpongeBob' Soaks Up $55 Million to Swamp 'Jupiter Ascending,' 'Seventh Son' at Box Office|date=February 9, 2015|url=https://www.thewrap.com/spongebob-soaks-up-55-million-to-swamp-jupiter-ascending-seventh-son-at-box-office/|publisher=The Wrap|first=Todd|last=Cunningham|access-date=February 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613043339/https://www.thewrap.com/spongebob-soaks-up-55-million-to-swamp-jupiter-ascending-seventh-son-at-box-office/|archive-date=June 13, 2018|url-status=live}} In another interview, Paramount vice-chairman Rob Moore remarked, "Hopefully, it won't take 10 years to make another film," in reference to the time passed between The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004) and its 2015 sequel.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-spongebob-capsizes-jupiter-767768/|title=Box Office: 'SpongeBob' Capsizes 'Jupiter Ascending,' 'Seventh Son' With $56M|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 8, 2015|access-date=November 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127083321/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-spongebob-capsizes-jupiter-767768|archive-date=November 27, 2015|url-status=live}} Later in 2015, it was revealed that Paramount was developing sequels to its franchises, including another SpongeBob film.{{cite tweet|user=Viacom|number=593762894103375872|date=April 30, 2015|title=@ParamountPics is in development on sequels to existing franchises: @WorldWarZMovie, @JackReacher & @SpongeBobMovie – TD}}

The film was initially scheduled for release theatrically in 2019,{{cite news|last=Bramesco|first=Charles|date=November 11, 2015|title=Paramount Lays Plans 'SpongeBob SquarePants 3' And More Animated Films|url=https://screencrush.com/spongebob-squarepants-3/|work=ScreenCrush|access-date=November 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021010044/http://screencrush.com/spongebob-squarepants-3/|archive-date=October 21, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2015/11/10/spongebob-3-little-prince-release-dates/|title=Paramount Animation announces release dates for 'SpongeBob 3,' 'Little Prince'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=March 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423182110/https://ew.com/article/2015/11/10/spongebob-3-little-prince-release-dates/|archive-date=April 23, 2019|url-status=live}} before being delayed to 2020.{{cite news|last=McNary|first=Dave|title='The SpongeBob Movie' Release Pushed Back to 2020|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/paramount-delays-spongebob-movie-release-until-2020-1202645765/|work=Variety|date=December 19, 2017|access-date=December 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222230342/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/paramount-delays-spongebob-movie-release-until-2020-1202645765/|archive-date=December 22, 2017|url-status=live}} The film later had its theatrical run cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and instead released on video on demand and Paramount+. The film had an exclusive theatrical run in Canada on August 14, 2020, and premiered on Netflix three months later in international countries. By January 2016, Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger had been hired to write the film.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/jonathan-aibel-glenn-berger-kung-fu-panda-3-trolls-interview/|title=Screenwriters Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger on 'Kung Fu Panda 3', 'Trolls' and 'Monster Truck'|publisher=Collider|last=Weintraub|first=Steve|date=January 29, 2016|access-date=August 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202042624/http://collider.com/jonathan-aibel-glenn-berger-kung-fu-panda-3-trolls-interview/|archive-date=February 2, 2016|url-status=live}} In April 2018, the film's official title was revealed as The SpongeBob Movie: It's a Wonderful Sponge, and SpongeBob co-developer Tim Hill was announced as director and writer for the film.{{cite web|last=Donnelly|first=Matt|title=Paramount Animation Sets Three New Films, Including 'SpongeBob' Sequel|url=https://www.thewrap.com/paramount-animation-sets-three-new-films-including-spongebob-sequel/|access-date=April 26, 2018|work=The Wrap|date=April 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426035935/https://www.thewrap.com/paramount-animation-sets-three-new-films-including-spongebob-sequel/|archive-date=April 26, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Giardina|first=Carolyn|title=Paramount Grows Its Animation Slate With 'Monster on the Hill,' 'Luck'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/paramount-grows-animation-slate-monster-hill-luck-1105912|access-date=April 26, 2018|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426052040/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/paramount-grows-animation-slate-monster-hill-luck-1105912|archive-date=April 26, 2018|url-status=live}} On November 12, 2019, it was revealed that the film's title was changed from It's a Wonderful Sponge to Sponge on the Run.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/movies/spongebob-is-back-the-man-behind-the-voice-tom-kenny-on-returning-for-a-big-screen-adventure/|title=SpongeBob Is Back! The Man Behind the Voice, Tom Kenny, on Returning for a Big Screen Adventure|last=Telling|first=Gillian|date=November 12, 2019|website=People|access-date=November 12, 2019|archive-date=November 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117083502/https://people.com/movies/spongebob-is-back-the-man-behind-the-voice-tom-kenny-on-returning-for-a-big-screen-adventure/|url-status=live}}

= ''Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie'' =

In March 2020, it was reported that ViacomCBS would be producing two spin-off films based on the series SpongeBob SquarePants for Netflix. In May 2021, a spin-off film with Sandy Cheeks as its lead character was announced to be in development from Nickelodeon for streaming television, to be directed by Liza Johnson from a script written by Kaz and Tom J. Stern and described as a hybrid feature that will put the animated title character into a live-action setting.{{cite web |author=Sneider |first=Jeff |date=May 21, 2021 |title=Exclusive: Beloved {{'}}SpongeBob Squarepants{{'}} Character Sandy Cheeks Set for Spinoff Movie |url=https://collider.com/spongebob-sandy-cheeks-movie-liza-johnson/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521085440/https://collider.com/spongebob-sandy-cheeks-movie-liza-johnson/ |archive-date=May 21, 2021 |access-date=May 21, 2021 |work=Collider}} In August 2021, it was revealed that plans to film Saving Bikini Bottom in Los Alamos were scrapped due to rewrites of the script.{{Cite web |date=August 16, 2021 |title=Los Alamos Film Shoot Cut From SpongeBob Movie |url=https://ladailypost.com/los-alamos-film-shoot-cut-from-spongebob-movie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008130627/https://ladailypost.com/los-alamos-film-shoot-cut-from-spongebob-movie/ |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |website=ladailypost.com}}{{Cite web |last=O’Neill |first=Marie |date=August 16, 2021 |title=Plans To Film Scene From New SpongeBob Movie In Los Alamos Scrapped |url=https://losalamosreporter.com/2021/08/16/plans-to-film-scene-from-new-spongebob-movie-in-los-alamos-scrapped/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825112100/https://losalamosreporter.com/2021/08/16/plans-to-film-scene-from-new-spongebob-movie-in-los-alamos-scrapped/ |archive-date=August 25, 2021 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=Los Alamos Reporter}} In February 2022, during its investor call, Nickelodeon CEO Brian Robbins said that they would be working on the three character-driven spin-off films and would release them exclusively on its streamer Paramount+, with the first one premiering in 2023. However, in April 2023, it was reported that Saving Bikini Bottom would instead debut on Netflix in 2024.

Reception

=Box office performance=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2" \| Film ! rowspan="2" \| Release date ! colspan="4" \| Box office ! rowspan="2" \| Budget ! rowspan="2" \| {{Refh}}
Opening weekend North America ! North America ! Other territories ! Worldwide
scope="row" \| The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie \| {{dts\|2004\|11\|19}} \| $32,018,216 \| $85,417,988 \| $54,775,005 \| $140,192,993 \| $30 million \| {{Cite web \|title=The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie \|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl175343105/ \|access-date=18 February 2020 \|website=Box Office Mojo \|archive-date=14 May 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514195208/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=spongebob.htm \|url-status=live }}
scope="row" \| The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water \| {{dts\|2015\|2\|6}} \| $55,365,012 \| $162,994,032 \| $162,192,000 \| $325,186,032 \| $74 million \| {{Cite web \|title=The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water \|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl158565889/ \|access-date=18 February 2020 \|website=Box Office Mojo \|archive-date=23 May 2015 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523060110/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=spongebob2.htm \|url-status=live }}
scope="row" \| The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run \| {{dts\|2020\|8\|14}} \| $865,824 \| $4,810,790 \| {{N/a}} \| $4,810,790 \| $60 million \| {{Cite web \|title=The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020) \|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt4823776/ \|access-date=November 14, 2020 \|website=Box Office Mojo \|archive-date=November 17, 2021 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117205714/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt4823776/ \|url-status=live }}
scope="row" \| Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie \| {{dts\|2024\|10\|18}} \| {{N/a}} \| {{N/a}} \| $4,441,901 \| $4,441,901 \| {{N/a}} \| {{Cite web \|title=Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie \|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Saving-Bikini-Bottom-The-Sandy-Cheeks-Movie-(2024) \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305104026/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Saving-Bikini-Bottom-The-Sandy-Cheeks-Movie-(2024)#tab=summary \|archive-date=March 5, 2025 \|access-date=March 5, 2025 \|website=The Numbers \|publisher=Nash Information Services, LLC}}
scope="row" \| Plankton: The Movie \| {{dts\|2025\|3\|8}} \| {{N/a}} \| {{N/a}} \| $840,000 \| $840,000 \| {{N/a}} \| {{cite web \|title=Daily Box Office > China > March 10, 2025 \|url=http://english.entgroup.cn/boxoffice/cn/daily/?date=03%20/10%20/2025 \|website=english.entgroup.cn \|publisher=EntGroup Inc. \|access-date=11 March 2025}}
colspan="2" \| Total ! ${{formatnum:{{#expr:32018216+55365012+865824}}}} ! ${{formatnum:{{#expr:85417988+162994032+4810790}}}} ! ${{formatnum:{{#expr:54775005+162192000+4441901+840000}}}} ! ${{formatnum:{{#expr:140192993+325186032+4810790+4441901+840000}}}} ! $164 million !

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;"

rowspan="2" | Film

! rowspan="2" | Release date

! colspan="4" | Box office

! rowspan="2" | Budget

! rowspan="2" | {{Refh}}

Opening weekend
North America

! North America

! Other territories

! Worldwide

scope="row" | The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie

| {{dts|2004|11|19}}

| $32,018,216

| $85,417,988

| $54,775,005

| $140,192,993

| $30 million

| {{Cite web |title=The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl175343105/ |access-date=18 February 2020 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=14 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514195208/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=spongebob.htm |url-status=live }}

scope="row" | The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

| {{dts|2015|2|6}}

| $55,365,012

| $162,994,032

| $162,192,000

| $325,186,032

| $74 million

| {{Cite web |title=The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl158565889/ |access-date=18 February 2020 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=23 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523060110/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=spongebob2.htm |url-status=live }}

scope="row" | The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run

| {{dts|2020|8|14}}

| $865,824

| $4,810,790

| {{N/a}}

| $4,810,790

| $60 million

| {{Cite web |title=The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020) |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt4823776/ |access-date=November 14, 2020 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=November 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117205714/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt4823776/ |url-status=live }}

scope="row" | Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie

| {{dts|2024|10|18}}

| {{N/a}}

| $4,441,901

| {{N/a}}

| {{Cite web |title=Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Saving-Bikini-Bottom-The-Sandy-Cheeks-Movie-(2024) |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305104026/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Saving-Bikini-Bottom-The-Sandy-Cheeks-Movie-(2024)#tab=summary |archive-date=March 5, 2025 |access-date=March 5, 2025 |website=The Numbers |publisher=Nash Information Services, LLC}}

scope="row" | Plankton: The Movie

| {{dts|2025|3|8}}

| {{N/a}}

| $840,000

| {{N/a}}

| {{cite web |title=Daily Box Office > China > March 10, 2025 |url=http://english.entgroup.cn/boxoffice/cn/daily/?date=03%20/10%20/2025 |website=english.entgroup.cn |publisher=EntGroup Inc. |access-date=11 March 2025}}

colspan="2" | Total

! ${{formatnum:{{#expr:32018216+55365012+865824}}}}

! ${{formatnum:{{#expr:85417988+162994032+4810790}}}}

! ${{formatnum:{{#expr:54775005+162192000+4441901+840000}}}}

! ${{formatnum:{{#expr:140192993+325186032+4810790+4441901+840000}}}}

! $164 million

=Critical and public reception=

{{Hatnote|Each film is linked to the "Critical response" section of its article}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align: center;" ! scope="col" rowspan="2" \| Film ! scope="col" colspan="2" \| Critical ! colspan="2" scope="col" \| Public
scope="col" \| Rotten Tomatoes ! scope="col" \| Metacritic ! scope="col" \| CinemaScore{{Cite web \|title=CinemaScore \|url=https://www.cinemascore.com/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413083139/https://www.cinemascore.com/ \|archive-date=April 13, 2022 \|access-date=April 15, 2022 \|publisher=CinemaScore}}
scope="row" \| The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie \| 68% (128 reviews){{Cite web \|title=The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004) \|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spongebob_squarepants_movie/ \|access-date=April 8, 2023 \|website=Rotten Tomatoes \|archive-date=September 16, 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916192452/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spongebob_squarepants_movie/ \|url-status=live }} \| 66 (32 reviews){{Cite web \|title=The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie \|url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-spongebob-squarepants-movie \|access-date=23 December 2015 \|website=Metacritic \|archive-date=9 May 2017 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509203054/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-spongebob-squarepants-movie \|url-status=live }} \| B+
scope="row" \| The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water \| 81% (105 reviews){{Cite web \|title=The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015) \|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_spongebob_movie_sponge_out_of_water/ \|access-date=April 8, 2023 \|website=Rotten Tomatoes \|archive-date=February 8, 2016 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208171854/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_spongebob_movie_sponge_out_of_water/ \|url-status=live }} \| 62 (27 reviews){{Cite web \|title=The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water \|url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-spongebob-movie-sponge-out-of-water \|access-date=23 December 2015 \|website=Metacritic \|archive-date=28 March 2015 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328161828/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-spongebob-movie-sponge-out-of-water \|url-status=live }} \| B
scope="row" \| The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run \| 67% (73 reviews){{Cite web \|title=The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020) \|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_spongebob_movie_sponge_on_the_run/ \|access-date=April 8, 2023 \|website=Rotten Tomatoes \|archive-date=February 9, 2023 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209170321/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_spongebob_movie_sponge_on_the_run \|url-status=live }} \| 65 (20 reviews){{Cite web \|title=The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run \|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-spongebob-movie-sponge-on-the-run \|access-date=July 24, 2021 \|website=Metacritic \|archive-date=February 28, 2021 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228025003/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-spongebob-movie-sponge-on-the-run \|url-status=live }} \| {{NA}}
scope="row" \| Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie \| 56% (14 reviews){{Cite web \|title=Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (2024) \|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/saving_bikini_bottom_the_sandy_cheeks_movie \|access-date=August 2, 2024 \|website=Rotten Tomatoes \|archive-date=February 9, 2023 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209170321/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_spongebob_movie_sponge_on_the_run \|url-status=live }} \| {{NA}} \| {{NA}}
scope="row" \| Plankton: The Movie \| 82% (11 reviews){{Cite web \|title=Plankton: The Movie \|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/plankton_the_movie/ \|access-date=March 12, 2025 \|website=Rotten Tomatoes \|url-status=live }} \| 61 (5 reviews){{Cite web \|title=Plankton: The Movie \|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/plankton-the-movie/ \|access-date=March 9, 2025 \|website=Metacritic \|url-status=live }} \| {{NA}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align: center;"

! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Film

! scope="col" colspan="2" | Critical

! colspan="2" scope="col" | Public

scope="col" | Rotten Tomatoes

! scope="col" | Metacritic

! scope="col" | CinemaScore{{Cite web |title=CinemaScore |url=https://www.cinemascore.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413083139/https://www.cinemascore.com/ |archive-date=April 13, 2022 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |publisher=CinemaScore}}

scope="row" | The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie

| 68% (128 reviews){{Cite web |title=The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004) |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spongebob_squarepants_movie/ |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |archive-date=September 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916192452/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spongebob_squarepants_movie/ |url-status=live }}

| 66 (32 reviews){{Cite web |title=The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie |url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-spongebob-squarepants-movie |access-date=23 December 2015 |website=Metacritic |archive-date=9 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509203054/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-spongebob-squarepants-movie |url-status=live }}

| B+

scope="row" | The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

| 81% (105 reviews){{Cite web |title=The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015) |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_spongebob_movie_sponge_out_of_water/ |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |archive-date=February 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208171854/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_spongebob_movie_sponge_out_of_water/ |url-status=live }}

| 62 (27 reviews){{Cite web |title=The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water |url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-spongebob-movie-sponge-out-of-water |access-date=23 December 2015 |website=Metacritic |archive-date=28 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328161828/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-spongebob-movie-sponge-out-of-water |url-status=live }}

| B

scope="row" | The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run

| 67% (73 reviews){{Cite web |title=The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020) |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_spongebob_movie_sponge_on_the_run/ |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209170321/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_spongebob_movie_sponge_on_the_run |url-status=live }}

| 65 (20 reviews){{Cite web |title=The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-spongebob-movie-sponge-on-the-run |access-date=July 24, 2021 |website=Metacritic |archive-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228025003/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-spongebob-movie-sponge-on-the-run |url-status=live }}

| {{NA}}

scope="row" | Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie

| 56% (14 reviews){{Cite web |title=Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (2024) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/saving_bikini_bottom_the_sandy_cheeks_movie |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209170321/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_spongebob_movie_sponge_on_the_run |url-status=live }}

| {{NA}}

scope="row" | Plankton: The Movie

| 82% (11 reviews){{Cite web |title=Plankton: The Movie |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/plankton_the_movie/ |access-date=March 12, 2025 |website=Rotten Tomatoes

|url-status=live }}

| 61 (5 reviews){{Cite web |title=Plankton: The Movie |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/plankton-the-movie/ |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=Metacritic |url-status=live }}

| {{NA}}

Additional crew and production details

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center; width:99%;"
scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20%;" \| Title ! scope="col" colspan="7" \| Crew/Detail
scope="col" \| Composer(s) ! scope="col" \| Cinematographer ! scope="col" \| Editor(s) ! scope="col" \| Production companies ! scope="col" \| Distributing company ! scope="col" \| Running time
scope="row" \| The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie \| Gregor Narholz \| Jerzy Zieliński \| Lynn Hobson \| Nickelodeon Movies, United Plankton Pictures Inc. \| rowspan="2"\| Paramount Pictures \| 87 minutes
scope="row" \| The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water \| John Debney \| Phil Méheux \| David Ian Salter \| Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon Movies, United Plankton Pictures Inc. \| 92 minutes
scope="row" \| The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run \| Hans Zimmer & Steve Mazzaro \| Peter Lyons Collister \| Michael W. Andrews \| Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon Movies, United Plankton Pictures Inc., MRC \| Paramount Pictures (Canada) Paramount+ (USA) \| 91 minutes
scope="row" \| Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie \| Moniker \| Greg Gardiner \| Billy Weber Matthew Feinman \| rowspan="2" \|Nickelodeon Movies \| rowspan="2" \|Netflix \| 86 minutes
scope="row" \| Plankton: The Movie \| Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper \| {{TBA}} \| Lisa Linder Silver \| 84 minutes
scope="row" \| The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants \| John Debney \| {{TBA}} \| {{TBA}} \| Nickelodeon Movies, MRC \| Paramount Pictures \| {{TBA}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center; width:99%;"

scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20%;" | Title

! scope="col" colspan="7" | Crew/Detail

scope="col" | Composer(s)

! scope="col" | Cinematographer

! scope="col" | Editor(s)

! scope="col" | Production
companies

! scope="col" | Distributing
company

! scope="col" | Running time

scope="row" | The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie

| Gregor Narholz

| Jerzy Zieliński