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The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants 2025
Adventure comedyBuddy comedyChildren's adventure
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is a 2025 American animated adventure comedy directed by Derek Drymon, adapted from the SpongeBob SquarePants television series created by Stephen Hillenburg. The movie features the regular voice cast along with George Lopez, Isis "Ice Spice" Gaston, Arturo Castro, Sherry Cola, Regina Hall, and Mark Hamill. The storyline centers on SpongeBob's journey to demonstrate his courage by traveling with the ghost pirate, the Flying Dutchman, into the Underworld. This represents the fourth theatrical release based on the franchise, succeeding 2020's Sponge on the Run.
The screenplay was crafted by Pam Brady and Matt Lieberman, adapting a story by Brady and series creators Marc Ceccarelli and Kaz. Initially conceived as a streaming-only film centered on Mr. Krabs, the project was restructured into a theatrical feature with SpongeBob as protagonist. By April 2023, Drymon was confirmed as director. In July 2024, Hamill was announced to voice the Flying Dutchman, replacing Brian Doyle-Murray. John Debney composed the soundtrack, having previously scored 2015's Sponge Out of Water.
Search for SquarePants debuted at the AFI Film Festival on October 26, 2025, followed by a New York premiere on December 17. It was released in U.S. theaters by Paramount Pictures on December 19. Critics responded favorably, and the film performed well commercially, earning $169 million globally against a $64 million budget.
Cast
- Tom Kenny
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- List of SpongeBob SquarePants characters
- Clancy BrownMr. Krabs
- Live actiona pirate narrator in the film's prologue
- Rodger BumpassSquidward Tentacles
- Bill FagerbakkePatrick Star
- Carolyn LawrenceSandy Cheeks
- Mr. LawrencePlankton
- Regina HallBarb
- Mark Hamill[[The Flying Dutchman
- George LopezJK Fishlips
- Ice Spicea ticket taker fish
- Arturo Castroa Santa Monica ride operator
- Sherry Cola
- A studio spokesperson
- A Krusty Krab patron
Crew
- Director
- Derek Drymon
- Screenplay
- Pam Brady, Matt Lieberman
- Story
- Marc Ceccarelli, Kaz, Pam Brady
- Producer
- Lisa Stewart, Pam Brady, Aaron Dem
- Cinematography
- Peter Lyons Collister
- Editing
- Wyatt Jones
- Music
- John Debney
Details
- Production
- Nickelodeon Movies, Paramount Animation
- Distributor
- Republic Pictures (International; through Paramount Pictures)
- Budget
- $64 million
- Box office
- $169 million
