The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie

Plot

Mr. Krabs opens a second Krusty Krab next to the original, and SpongeBob hopes to be promoted to manager, but Krabs selects Squidward instead, calling SpongeBob a kid. Depressed, SpongeBob goes to the Goofy Goober with Patrick and wakes up hungover. Plankton steals King Neptune's crown, sends it to Shell City, and frames Krabs. Neptune confronts Krabs, and a hungover SpongeBob smears him.

SpongeBob promises to retrieve the crown in six days or Krabs will be executed. Neptune's daughter Mindy encourages them but warns of the Cyclops. SpongeBob and Patrick head to Shell City in the Patty Wagon. Plankton steals the formula, brainwashes customers with free helmets, and hires Dennis to stop them.

The duo lose the Patty Wagon in a trench and consider giving up. Mindy gives them fake mustaches, claiming they are now men. They cross the trench, but Dennis reveals the mustaches are fake. A Cyclops, a human diver, steps on Dennis and abducts SpongeBob and Patrick.

Production

Hillenburg refused a film adaptation for over a year, concerned about maintaining the SpongeBob cadence after watching The Iron Giant and Toy Story. He believed the story had to be a great adventure with SpongeBob and Patrick on a dangerous heroic odyssey. In 2002, the show's staff stopped making episodes to work on the film after the third season. Hillenburg co-wrote the screenplay with five other writer-animators over three months in a former bank in Glendale, California.

The writers created a mythical hero's quest bringing SpongeBob and Patrick to the surface. Hillenburg had screened silent shorts and work by Jerry Lewis and Pee-wee Herman as inspirations for the series. Bill Fagerbakke described the plot as nuts and said he was dazzled by what the writers came up with.

Marketing

Co-producer Julia Pistor said Nickelodeon wanted character-themed merchandise but respected Hillenburg's integrity. Hillenburg had no problem with candy and ice cream tie-ins but opposed fast-food tie-ins due to hidden additives. He insisted on keeping his marketing strategy, saying they did not want to push unhealthy food to kids.

Variety estimated the media value at $150 million. Promotion included a 12-figure toy line from Burger King and 9-foot inflatable SpongeBob figures on about 4,700 Burger King roofs. Many inflatables were stolen nationwide; Burger King offered a year's supply of Whoppers for information.

One was found at an Iowa college, another under a bed in Virginia, and a third with a ransom note. Two men were arrested in Maryland for stealing an inflatable, facing up to 18 months in jail and a $500 fine. The following year, Burger King took extra security precautions for a Star Wars promotion.

Reception

The film earned $9,559,752 on its opening day, second behind National Treasure. It grossed $32,018,216 in its opening weekend on 4,300 screens at 3,212 theaters. It dropped 44 percent over Thanksgiving and 57 percent the following weekend. It closed on March 24, 2005, grossing $85,417,988 in the US and $140,161,792 worldwide on a $30 million budget.

On Rotten Tomatoes, 68% of 124 critics gave positive reviews, with an average rating of 6.3/10. The site's consensus called it surreally goofy and entertaining for children and parents. Metacritic assigned a score of 67 out of 32 critics, indicating generally favorable reviews. CinemaScore audiences gave it a B+.

Did You Know?

• In a post-credits scene, Mageina Tovah portrays a theater usher.
• The Flaming Lips recorded 'SpongeBob And Patrick Confront the Psychic Wall of Energy' for the soundtrack.
• Gregor Narholz conducted the score with the London Metropolitan Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios.