The SpongeBob Movie Review – Search for SquarePants

The Bikini Bottom Gang Returns for Another Wild and Joyful Adventure Beneath the Sea

Even before its official release on December 19, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants has been impossible to ignore. With its energetic trailers, viral memes, and the hilariously self-aware tagline — “This Christmas, They’re in Deep Ship” — the marketing machine behind SpongeBob is working overtime. But in truth, it might not need to. After more than two decades of global love, Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants has transcended its children’s TV origins to become a genuine multigenerational pop culture icon, adored by kids, teens, and nostalgic adults alike.

Still, it’s no surprise that Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures are pulling out all the stops. SpongeBob is their golden sponge — a billion-dollar empire built on toys, theme park rides, spinoff shows, video games, and even a Broadway musical. With that kind of legacy to maintain, Search for SquarePants had a lot to live up to. Fortunately, director Derek Drymon and writers Pam Brady and Matt Lieberman have managed to deliver another infectiously funny, visually wild, and surprisingly heartfelt undersea journey.

Bottom Line: A splashy, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional fourth chapter that proves there’s still plenty of life — and laughter — in Bikini Bottom.

A Return to Bikini Bottom

From the opening scenes, the movie immerses us once again in the familiar, quirky world of Bikini Bottom — a colorful underwater town bursting with life and personality. The ever-cheerful SpongeBob SquarePants (voiced by Tom Kenny) is as optimistic as ever, while his best friend Patrick Star (Bill Fagerbakke) remains endearingly clueless. Their perpetually grumpy neighbor Squidward (Rodger Bumpass) continues to suffer through their antics, and their money-obsessed boss Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown) is still counting every penny at the Krusty Krab.

That sense of warm familiarity is what fans love most about SpongeBob — but this time, the film introduces a bold new storyline centered on courage, friendship, and self-belief. On what begins as just another day under the sea, SpongeBob learns he’s finally tall enough to ride the massive “Shipwreck” rollercoaster at the local amusement park. His excitement is short-lived, though, when fear gets the better of him. Trying to save face, he fibs to Patrick, claiming he promised to ride it later with Mr. Krabs.

Mr. Krabs, seeing through the lie, uses the opportunity to teach SpongeBob a lesson about bravery. He boasts about his own adventures as a young sailor, proudly showing off a “swashbuckler certificate” he supposedly earned after defeating the legendary Flying Dutchman — a ghostly pirate feared across the seas.

A Ghostly Twist

Determined to earn his own certificate and prove he’s a “big guy,” SpongeBob digs through Mr. Krabs’ old pirate keepsakes. In doing so, he accidentally awakens the real Flying Dutchman, voiced (and later played in live action) by none other than Mark Hamill. The Dutchman, glowing with eerie green light and booming with theatrical menace, offers to help SpongeBob complete his swashbuckling training.

Of course, being SpongeBob, he happily agrees, dragging Patrick along for the ride. What SpongeBob doesn’t know is that the Flying Dutchman has ulterior motives — he hopes to use SpongeBob’s innocent enthusiasm to break his ancient curse and return to the world of the living.

Meanwhile, when Mr. Krabs discovers that SpongeBob has vanished, he sets off to rescue his fry cook. He’s joined — somewhat reluctantly — by Squidward and SpongeBob’s beloved snail, Gary. Their rescue mission leads to a series of hilarious and chaotic encounters, from jellyfish storms to underwater maelstroms, all rendered in dazzling animation.

Comedy, Heart, and Nostalgia

Search for SquarePants is, above all, a celebration of what makes SpongeBob special — its unique blend of absurd humor and genuine sweetness. The jokes come fast and ridiculous as ever, mixing slapstick with clever pop culture nods. Drymon, who worked on the original SpongeBob series alongside creator Stephen Hillenburg, clearly understands the show’s DNA. His direction captures that delicate balance between childlike fun and surreal comedy that made the early episodes so beloved.

Fans will notice plenty of visual homages to other films too — from The Matrix’s slow-motion acrobatics to a cheeky Apocalypse Now parody featuring Squidward begrudgingly steering a ship through a storm. The movie thrives on that kind of playful cinematic self-awareness.

But it’s not all silliness. Beneath the humor lies a surprisingly touching story about confidence and growing up. SpongeBob’s desire to prove himself — to stop being seen as a “bubble-blowing baby” — gives the movie a solid emotional center. His innocence and optimism, as always, become his greatest strengths.

The Cast Shines — Again

The returning voice cast continues to prove why SpongeBob remains so consistently funny after all these years. Tom Kenny infuses SpongeBob with boundless energy and warmth, making even his most nonsensical moments oddly moving. Bill Fagerbakke’s Patrick is, as ever, an endearing mix of loyalty and stupidity. And Clancy Brown’s booming Mr. Krabs remains one of animation’s most distinct voices — greedy, gruff, but ultimately good-hearted.

Mark Hamill, though, steals nearly every scene he’s in. His performance as the Flying Dutchman is a delicious mix of over-the-top villainy and sly comedy. Whether he’s taunting SpongeBob through bizarre “training missions” or bellowing pirate chants that sound like heavy-metal lyrics, Hamill’s enthusiasm is infectious. When his character later appears in live action above the sea, the contrast feels a bit jarring — the animated version is simply more fun — but it’s still a treat to see Hamill fully embody the role.

Other celebrity cameos — including George Lopez, Ice Spice (Isis Gaston), Sherry Cola, and Regina Hall — add flavor, though most of them have only brief appearances. Still, their energy fits perfectly into the film’s fast-paced chaos.

A Feast for the Eyes

Visually, Search for SquarePants is a joy to watch. The animation is brighter, smoother, and more dynamic than ever before, with seamless transitions between traditional 2D, 3D, and even live-action sequences. The Flying Dutchman’s ghost ship is especially striking — a blend of eerie Gothic design and cartoon absurdity. The undersea world feels both massive and intimate, filled with background details that reward repeat viewings.

Drymon and his team clearly had fun expanding the look and feel of Bikini Bottom, turning familiar locations like the Krusty Krab and SpongeBob’s pineapple house into cinematic playgrounds for wild stunts and visual gags.

The Spirit of SpongeBob Lives On

Even after decades of adventures, SpongeBob’s world continues to feel fresh. What sets Search for SquarePants apart is how well it captures the emotional heart of the franchise without losing its sense of mischief. SpongeBob may start the film as a scared little sponge trying to prove himself, but by the end, he’s once again reminded that being brave doesn’t mean being fearless — it means facing your fears with kindness and heart.

There’s a comforting familiarity to that message, especially for fans who grew up with SpongeBob and are now watching with their own kids. It’s a reminder that optimism and silliness are timeless virtues.

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel — or the Krabby Patty, for that matter. But what it does, it does extremely well. It’s funny, colorful, heartfelt, and filled with the kind of imaginative chaos that only SpongeBob can deliver.

Drymon’s film honors the legacy of Stephen Hillenburg while pushing the series forward with fresh energy and visual flair. And while not every supporting character gets their moment to shine, the spirit of Bikini Bottom remains strong — loud, weird, and irresistibly joyful.

After all these years, SpongeBob is still teaching us that courage, friendship, and laughter never go out of style.