The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
Fourth theatrical SpongeBob film, released December 2025.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is a 2025 American animated adventure comedy directed by Derek Drymon, based on the TV series created by Stephen Hillenburg. It is the fourth theatrical SpongeBob film, following *Sponge on the Run* (2020). The story follows SpongeBob as he tries to prove his bravery by journeying through the Underworld with the ghost pirate, the Flying Dutchman.
The film stars the series’ regular voice cast, along with George Lopez, Isis “Ice Spice” Gaston, Arturo Castro, Sherry Cola, Regina Hall, and Mark Hamill. Pam Brady and Matt Lieberman wrote the screenplay, based on a story by Brady, Marc Ceccarelli, and Kaz. The project began as a direct-to-streaming film centered on Mr. Krabs, but was reworked into a theatrical release with SpongeBob as the lead. Derek Drymon was hired to direct by April 2023. Mark Hamill voices the Flying Dutchman, replacing Brian Doyle-Murray. John Debney composed the score, having previously scored *Sponge Out of Water* (2015).
The film premiered at the AFI Film Festival on October 26, 2025, followed by a New York City premiere on December 17, and a U.S. theatrical release by Paramount Pictures on December 19. It received positive reviews and was a commercial success, earning $169 million worldwide against a $64 million budget.
In the plot, SpongeBob discovers he is tall enough to ride a roller coaster but is too scared. He wants to be brave like Mr. Krabs, who claims he was a swashbuckler in his youth. After finding Mr. Krabs’ secret basement of pirate relics, SpongeBob accidentally summons the Flying Dutchman, a ghost cursed to roam the Underworld until he swaps places with an innocent soul. The Dutchman sees SpongeBob as that soul, invites him and Patrick Star into his crew, and promises to help SpongeBob become a swashbuckler. Mr. Krabs, Squidward, and Gary follow to rescue them.
The Dutchman tells SpongeBob he must complete dangerous trials and blow the Dutchman’s horn to become a swashbuckler. SpongeBob passes each challenge by doing what he thinks Mr. Krabs would do. Annoyed by Patrick’s distractions, the Dutchman convinces SpongeBob to abandon him. When Mr. Krabs catches up, the Dutchman forces him to admit he was never a swashbuckler—just a fry cook who blew bubbles and was humiliated for it. Believing Mr.
- Release year
- 2025
- Director
- Derek Drymon
- Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- Budget
- $64 million
- Box office
- $169 million
- Genre
- Animated adventure comedy
Lore & Background
The film was first developed as a direct-to-streaming film focused on Mr. Krabs, but was retooled into a theatrical feature with SpongeBob as the lead character after Paramount executives saw the first draft. By April 2023, Derek Drymon had been hired to direct. In July 2024, Mark Hamill was revealed to be voicing the Flying Dutchman in place of Brian Doyle-Murray. John Debney composed the film's score, having previously scored 2015's Sponge Out of Water. The film premiered at the AFI Film Festival on October 26, 2025, held a premiere in New York City on December 17, and was theatrically released in the United States on December 19, 2025.
Reader's Guide
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants represents a continuation of the SpongeBob SquarePants film franchise, shifting from a planned streaming release to a theatrical run. The film received positive reviews from critics and was a commercial success, grossing $169 million worldwide on a $64 million budget. Its development reflects the franchise's adaptability, moving from character-focused streaming projects to a theatrical adventure. The film's visual style, inspired by 1960s plasticware and toys, was directed by Drymon to avoid hyper-realism and embrace handmade aesthetics. The casting of Mark Hamill as the Flying Dutchman marked a notable change from the series' original voice actor. The film's release was delayed from May 2025 to December 2025 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.
Did You Know?
- Mark Hamill voiced the Flying Dutchman in place of the character's long-time voice actor Brian Doyle-Murray.
- The film premiered at the AFI Film Festival on October 26, 2025, and was released theatrically on December 19, 2025.
- Ice Spice performed an original song for the film titled 'Big Guy', which was released in November 2025 but is not included on the film's soundtrack.
More in Characters & Voices
Elsewhere in SpongeBob SquarePants
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