The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants Review

SpongeBob dives into a ghostly adventure in The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants, a sequel that’s funny, colorful and fun even if not very original.

The story kicks off with SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) waking up to discover he’s grown an extra inch – 36 clams, to be exact – and is finally tall enough to ride the roller coaster he’s always wanted to conquer with Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke). But when the moment arrives, SpongeBob chickens out, lying to Patrick by claiming he made a deal with Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown) to ride together.

When Patrick believes this lie, he takes SpongeBob to get Mr. Krabs, but once they are at the Krusty Krab, the latter reveals he’s too busy and then starts lecturing SpongeBob that growing taller doesn’t make him a “big guy.” Mr. Krabs brags about his own glory days as a swashbuckling sailor who once rode with the legendary Flying Dutchman and even flaunts a certificate to prove it. Of course, SpongeBob accidentally loses the certificate and, in the process of retrieving it, summons the Dutchman (voiced with gleeful menace by Mark Hamill) himself.

Once SpongeBob sets sail with the Flying Dutchman, the movie dives headfirst into a wild, ghostly adventure through the deepest parts of the ocean. It’s classic SpongeBob nonsense in the best way. The setup is ridiculous, full of over-the-top gags and visual jokes that keep things moving. Mark Hamill is clearly having a blast as the Dutchman, nailing that perfect mix of creepy and goofy. And the animation is bursting with imagination. Every scene feels alive with clever little touches, from going to the dangerous underworld to bizarre moments with three-headed birds, and killer skeletons that remind you why SpongeBob’s world is such a fun place to get lost in.

Search for SquarePants definitely delivers the laughs too. The jokes fly fast, and plenty of them land, bouncing between slapstick silliness and winks to longtime fans. It’s pure goofball energy; SpongeBob’s endless optimism and Patrick’s lovable stupidity are as funny as ever. Sure, things get a bit chaotic at times, but that’s kind of the charm. When the movie leans fully into its absurdity, it’s hard not to laugh along.

That said, the film’s biggest flaw is its lack of novelty. We’ve seen this theme before: SpongeBob trying to prove his bravery or maturity has been a cornerstone of both the show and previous films. The idea of Mr. Krabs dismissing SpongeBob as a kid echoes the first SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, while SpongeBob’s fear of a roller coaster mirrors the classic episode “Roller Cowards.” By revisiting well-worn storylines, Search for SquarePants struggles to justify its existence beyond being another fun SpongeBob romp. Continuity has long been fluid in this universe, but here, it feels especially tossed aside for convenience.

Still, beneath the recycled beats lies a cute, well-intentioned message about what it really means to be brave. The film gently reminds its audience, kids and adults alike, that true courage isn’t about physical size or macho posturing but about facing your fears, even when it’s embarrassing or scary. That sentiment gives the movie just enough heart to keep it afloat.

In the end, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is a fine, fun time. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s pretty obvious that wasn’t the goal. It’s bright, funny, and heartfelt enough to entertain both longtime fans and younger viewers discovering SpongeBob for the first time. For a franchise two decades deep, that’s not a bad place to be even if this particular voyage doesn’t reach the creative highs of the original film.

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants had its World Premiere at AFI Fest on October 26, 2025. The movie will be released in US theatres on December 19, 2025 and in UK & Irish cinemas on December 26.