96 min | PG | December 19, 2025 | Paramount Pictures
Derek Drymon sends SpongeBob into the deep sea searching for his missing parents. The animation is gorgeous. The emotional stakes are real. This is SpongeBob at his best.
SpongeBob SquarePants has been on television for twenty-six years. The character works because of his relentless optimism and genuine kindness. Search for SquarePants uses that foundation to tell a story about identity and belonging. SpongeBob discovers clues about his missing parents and ventures into the deep sea to find them. The premise gives the film room to explore new environments and push SpongeBob into territory the show rarely touches.
Tom Kenny voices SpongeBob with the same manic energy tempered by genuine heart. The character is tested in ways that force him to question who he is and where he belongs. The regular voice cast, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, all return and provide stability. The new characters voiced by George Lopez, Ice Spice, Regina Hall, Mark Hamill add personality without overshadowing the core ensemble.
Derek Drymon directed episodes of the show and understands what makes SpongeBob work. The animation is a significant upgrade from previous films. The deep sea environments are rendered with creativity and visual beauty. The character designs maintain the show’s aesthetic while allowing for cinematic scale. The humor comes from character rather than cheap gags. The emotional beats land without being manipulative.
This is a SpongeBob film that respects the character and his fans. The film works for children who love the show and adults who grew up with it. The story has genuine stakes. The resolution provides real catharsis. Paramount continues to prove that theatrical SpongeBob films can work when they honor the source material and trust the character.