View source for SpongeBob SquarePants (series)

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''SpongeBob SquarePants'' (series)}}
{{D|the series|SpongeBob}}
{{SBSPseries
|name = ''SpongeBob SquarePants''
|image = <gallery>
SpongeBob SquarePants series logo.png|Title card logo
Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants.svg|2018-present logo
Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants 2009.svg|2009-2018 logo
Spongebob2007-2009.svg|2008-2009 logo
Bob1.svg|2003-2008 logo
Old SpongeBob SquarePants logo.png|1999-2003 logo
</gallery>
|created = [[Stephen Hillenburg]]
|directors = [[Derek Drymon]] (1999–2004)<br>[[Vincent Waller]] (2005-2015)
|executive = [[Stephen Hillenburg]]<br>[[Paul Tibbitt]] (2006-2016)<br>[[Marc Ceccarelli]] (2018–present)<br>[[Vincent Waller]] (2018–present)<br>[[Jennie Monica]] (2020–2022)
|genre = {{W|Television comedy|Comedy}}<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRPep55zMCE&t=17s SpongeBob SquarePants - Meet the Creator: Stephen Hillenburg - Nickelodeon Animation Studio]</ref><br>{{W|Surreal humour|Surreal humor}}<ref>[https://www.vulture.com/2018/11/spongebob-squarepants-stephen-hillenburg-legacy.html ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' and the Indestructible Faith of Imagination - Vulture]</ref>
|country = {{Flag|USA}} {{W|United States}}
|channel = [[Nickelodeon]] (1999–present)<br>[[Nicktoons]] (2002: "[[Gary Takes a Bath]]," 2023: "[[Buff for Puff]]," 2024: "[[Blood is Thicker Than Grease]]")<br>[[CBS]] (2012: "[[It's a SpongeBob Christmas!]]")
|seasons = [[Season 16|16]]
|episodes = 321 (half-hours)<br>609 (individual)
|prod = [[Nickelodeon Animation Studio]]<br>[[United Plankton Pictures, Inc.]]
|distrib = [[Nickelodeon]], [[Paramount Skydance|Paramount Global Distribution Group]]
|picture = {{W|480i}} (4:3 SDTV: 1999–2012)<br>{{W|1080i}} (16:9 HDTV: 2009 ("[[Truth or Square]]"), 2012  ("[[It's a SpongeBob Christmas!]]"), 2012–present)
|run = {{Time|May 1}}, {{Time|1999}} – present ({{Age|1999|5|1}} years)
}}
'''''SpongeBob SquarePants''''', often shortened to '''''SpongeBob''''', is an American animated television series created by former marine biologist and animator [[Stephen Hillenburg]] for [[Nickelodeon]]. It is chronologically the twelfth [[w:c:nickelodeon:Nicktoons|Nicktoon]] to debut.<ref>[https://www.nickandmore.com/kids-tv-history/list-of-nicktoons/ List of Nicktoons - Nickandmore!]</ref> The series is produced by [[Nickelodeon Animation Studio]] and [[United Plankton Pictures, Inc.]]

The series was first broadcasted on {{Time|May 1}}, {{Time|1999}} as a "sneak peek" after the [[w:c:nickelodeon:1999 Kids' Choice Awards|1999 Kids' Choice Awards]], premiering with the episodes "[[Help Wanted]]," "[[Reef Blower]]," and "[[Tea at the Treedome]]."<ref>[[w:c:nickstory:May 1, 1999|May 1, 1999 - Nickstory]]</ref> The series began regularly airing on {{Time|July 17}} of the same year, with the premiere of "[[Bubblestand]]" and "[[Ripped Pants]]." The show was initially only greenlit for six half-hour episodes (twelve total segments), with creator Stephen Hillenburg saying, "I thought if it did go to a full season that we'd get twelve chances to write stories and that might be it...twelve shows and get cancelled."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180526034725/https://tbivision.com/2009/10/27/spongebob-squarepants-creator-steve-hillenburg/ Spongebob Squarepants' creator Steve Hillenburg - TBI Vision]</ref> To his surprise, the show became a ratings success, becoming the most-viewed Saturday morning children's cartoon within a few months,<ref>[https://nypost.com/1999/08/19/spongebob-wipes-away-pokemon/ 'SpongeBob' Wipes Away 'Pokemon' - New York Post]</ref> and amassing over 56 million total viewers (with almost a third of that between ages 18 and 49) by {{Time|2002}}.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2024/05/01/1247526187/spongebob-squarepants-anniversary-25-years The iconic SpongeBob SquarePants made his TV debut 25 years ago - NPR]</ref> The show is currently in its [[Season 16|sixteenth season]], which premiered on {{Time|June 27}}, {{Time|2025}}, and has aired over 300 half-hour episodes.

==Premise==
[[File:Man Ray Returns 001.png|thumb|260px|Conch Street.]]
The series focuses on an optimistic sea sponge named {{Link|SpongeBob SquarePants}}, who lives in an [[SpongeBob SquarePants' house|underwater pineapple]] with his pet snail {{Link|Gary}}. He lives with his two nearest neighbors: [[Patrick Star]], SpongeBob's best friend who lives under a [[Patrick Star's house|rock]], and [[Squidward Tentacles]], a grumpy octopus who lives in an [[Squidward Tentacles' house|Easter Island Head]]. SpongeBob and Squidward work together at a fast food restaurant called the [[Krusty Krab]]. Their boss is a cheapskate crab, [[Eugene H. Krabs]], who lives with his whale daughter, {{Link|Pearl}}. SpongeBob is enrolled in a [[Mrs. Puff's Boating School|boat-driving school]] run by [[Mrs. Puff]], a pufferfish, and often spends time with a thrill-seeking squirrel from the surface, [[Sandy Cheeks]]. The villains of the show are {{Link|Plankton}} and his computer wife, {{Link|Karen}}, who own a failing restaurant, the [[Chum Bucket]], located across the street from the Krusty Krab.

==Characters==
===Main===
{{Main|List of main characters}}
The show stars ten main characters, consisting of SpongeBob and his aquatic friends who live in Bikini Bottom.

<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" captionsize="large" widths="180" spacing="small" navigation="true">
SpongeBob SquarePants Porthole.png|{{Link|SpongeBob SquarePants}}<br><small>(voiced by [[Tom Kenny]])</small>|link=SpongeBob SquarePants (character)
SpongeBob SquarePants Patrick Porthole.png|[[Patrick Star]]<br><small>(voiced by [[Bill Fagerbakke]])</small>|link=Patrick Star
SpongeBob SquarePants Squidward Porthole.png|[[Squidward Tentacles]]<br><small>(voiced by [[Rodger Bumpass]])</small>|link=Squidward Tentacles
SpongeBob SquarePants Mr Krabs Porthole.png|[[Eugene H. Krabs]]<br><small>(voiced by [[Clancy Brown]])</small>|link=Eugene H. Krabs
SpongeBob SquarePants Plankton Porthole.png|[[Sheldon J. Plankton]]<br><small>(voiced by [[Doug Lawrence]])</small>|link=Sheldon J. Plankton
SpongeBob SquarePants Karen Porthole.png|[[Karen Plankton]]<br><small>(voiced by [[Jill Talley]])</small>|link=Karen Plankton
SpongeBob SquarePants Sandy Porthole.png|[[Sandy Cheeks]]<br><small>(voiced by [[Carolyn Lawrence]])</small>|link=Sandy Cheeks
SpongeBob SquarePants Mrs Puff Porthole.png|[[Mrs. Puff]]<br><small>(voiced by [[Mary Jo Catlett]])</small>|link=Mrs. Puff
SpongeBob SquarePants Pearl Porthole.png|[[Pearl Krabs]]<br><small>(voiced by [[Lori Alan]])</small>|link=Pearl Krabs
SpongeBob SquarePants Gary Porthole.png|[[Gary the Snail]]<br><small>(voiced by Tom Kenny)</small>|link=Gary the Snail
</gallery>

===Supporting===
{{Main|List of supporting characters}}
In addition to the ten main characters, ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' features a variety of recurring secondary characters. Two of the most prominent supporting characters are [[Patchy the Pirate]] and his pet parrot, {{Link|Potty}}, who often host [[List of double-length episodes|the specials]]. Other supporting characters include the off-screen [[French Narrator]] and the retired superhero pair [[Mermaid Man]] and [[Barnacle Boy]].

==History==
===Development (1984—1998)===
[[File:640-1543430603646.jpg|thumb|200px|A page from ''The Intertidal Zone''.]]
Creator Stephen Hillenburg initially conceived ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' in {{Time|1984}}, while he was teaching and studying marine biology at the Orange County Marine Institute in Southern California (now called the {{W|Ocean Institute}}).<ref name="exposed">''[[SpongeBob Exposed! The Insider's Guide to SpongeBob SquarePants]]''</ref> He created a comic book titled ''[[The Intertidal Zone]],'' which was used by the institute to teach visiting students about the animal life of tide pools. The comic starred various anthropomorphic sea lifeforms, many of which would evolve into ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' characters.<ref name="exposed"/> In {{Time|1992}}, Hillenburg began to attend the {{W|California Institute of the Arts}} to study animation, having been accepted into the institute by {{W|Jules Engel}}, who was impressed with Hillenburg's previous work.<ref name="exposed"/><ref name="originof">"[[The Origin of SpongeBob SquarePants]]"</ref>

In 1992, {{W|Joe Murray}}, creator of ''[[w:c:rocko:Rocko's Modern Life|Rocko's Modern Life]]'', met Hillenburg at an animation festival and offered him a job as a director of the series.<ref name="originof"/><ref name="makintoons">[https://archive.org/details/makintoonsinside0000neuw/page/50/mode/2up ''Makin' toons : inside the most popular animated TV shows and movies'']</ref><ref>[http://www.title14.com/rocko/contributors/murray.html The Rocko's Modern Life FAQ - Joe Murray Interview]</ref> By the time ''Rocko's Modern Life'' concluded in {{Time|1996}}, Hillenburg had risen to the rank of creative director and showrunner following Murray's departure from the show.<ref>[https://archive.ph/2013.06.15-100743/http://joemurraystudio.com/television/rockos-modern-life/ ''Rocko's Modern Life'' - Joe Murray Studio]</ref>

After the show's conclusion, Hillenburg began developing ''SpongeBob SquarePants'', using ''The Intertidal Zone'' as a basis for the show following a discussion with fellow ''Rocko'' writer [[Martin Olson]], and worked with several Nickelodeon veterans and ''Rocko'' crew members,<ref name="originof"/> including creative director [[Derek Drymon]], writers and directors [[Sherm Cohen]] and [[Dan Povenmire]],<ref>[https://www.al.com/entertainment-press-register/2008/05/disney_animator_sees_summers_i.html Disney animator sees summers in Mobile as inspiration - AL.com]</ref> writer [[Tim Hill]], Martin Olson, animation director [[Alan Smart]], and story editor [[Merriwether Williams]].<ref name="exposed"/> To voice the character of SpongeBob, Hillenburg approached [[Tom Kenny]], who had also worked with him on ''Rocko''. Originally, Hillenburg wanted to use the name [[SpongeBoy]], and the series would have been called ''SpongeBoy Ahoy!'' However, the Nickelodeon legal department discovered that the name SpongeBoy was already in use for an art themed pencil product.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnKtglBqe78|title=The SpongeBoy Mop Doesn't Exist|last= Kid Leaves Stoop|website=Youtube.com|date= {{Time|September 7}}, {{Time|2022}}|accessdate= {{Time|December 6}}, {{Time|2022}}}}</ref><ref name="exposed"/> Hillenburg decided to use the name "SpongeBob." He chose "SquarePants" as a family name as it referred to the character's square shape and it had a "nice ring to it."<ref name="makintoons"/>

The series was announced on {{Time|December 8}}, {{Time|1998}}, with thirteen episodes planned for the first season.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/nick-goes-cartoon-crazy Nick goes cartoon crazy - Animation World Network]</ref>

===Early popularity and the movie (1999—2004)===
Within a month of the series' official premiere in July 1999, ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' became top Saturday morning series for kids ages 2 to 11, and was renewed for a [[Season 2|second season]] the following month.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050216075816/http://www.viacom.com/press.tin?ixPressRelease=45001519 Nickelodeon's ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' is Number One Saturday Morning Kids Show - Viacom Press Release]</ref> During the second and [[Season 3|third seasons]], ''SpongeBob'' further increased in ratings and became the highest-rated children's series on television, while also building its adult appeal.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-stephen-hillenburg-create/122463401/ Stephen Hillenburg created the undersea world of SpongeBob - Newspapers.com]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131108172353/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-9138807.html Grown-ups embrace a wacky, square sponge; There's just something about this sweet kids' cartoon that's attracting an adult audience. Local fans can't get enough of SpongeBob. - HighBeam Research]</ref>

[[File:The spongebob squarepants movie poster.jpg|thumb|200px|A poster for ''The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie''.]]
In late 2002, Hillenburg and the show's staff stopped making episodes to work on ''[[The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie]]'' after the show's third season.<ref name=EVT>{{cite news|last=Koltnow|first=Barry|title=SpongeBob creator is soaking up success|url=http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/get_out/article_08af58a9-3a6c-5af6-a86a-2754502d0bd9.html|accessdate=June 16, 2013|newspaper=East Valley Tribune|date=November 14, 2004}}</ref> For the film, the writers created a mythical hero's quest: the search for a stolen crown, which brings SpongeBob and Patrick to the surface.<ref name=Edel2>{{cite web|last=Edelstein|first=David|title=He Lives in a Pineapple, but Then What?|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/07/movies/moviesspecial/07edel.html?pagewanted=2|work=The New York Times|accessdate=August 19, 2013|date=November 7, 2004|location=Burbank, California|page=2}}</ref> Bill Fagerbakke (the voice of Patrick) said about the plot, "It's just nuts. I'm continually dazzled and delighted with what these guys came up with."<ref>"[[The Absorbing Tale Behind The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie]]''</ref> Hillenburg enjoyed the process of making the film:<ref name=EVT/> "The TV schedule is tight, and you don't always have a lot of time to work on your drawings."<ref name=EVT/> He appreciated the film's hand-drawn animation: "I think the movie's drawings are much superior than the TV show", although CGI animation was flourishing at the time of the film's release.<ref name=EVT/> "There's a lot of talk about 2-D being dead, and I hope people don't think that. Even {{W|Brad Bird}} is a proponent of 2-D. He would agree with me that it's all about what you're trying to say. There are many ways to tell a story, and what's unique about animation is that there are many styles with which to tell a story."<ref name=EVT/>

===Renewal after the movie and 10th anniversary (2004—2009)===
[[File:SB BDEMARATHON PROMO1 4.png|thumb|200px|From a promo of the Best Day Ever marathon.]]
A [[Season 4|fourth season]] was confirmed following the movie's popularity,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130607100735/http://cartoonician.com/the-oral-history-of-spongebob-squarepants/ The Oral History of SpongeBob SquarePants - Hogan's Alley]</ref> but Hillenburg resigned as showrunner (although he did remain an executive producer)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090722163434/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/14/spongebob-turns-10-valued_n_231304.html SpongeBob Turns 10 Valued At $8 Billion - Huffington Post]</ref> and appointed [[Paul Tibbitt]] as showrunner. Ratings remained high throughout season 4, with "[[Have You Seen This Snail?]]" and "[[Dunces and Dragons]]" reaching eight million viewers on their respective premieres. Special events became more common at this time as well, starting with the [[Best Day Ever marathon]], a 24-hour marathon that featured the top 100 ''SpongeBob'' episodes voted by fans, on {{Time|November 9}} and {{Time|November 10|10}}, {{Time|2006}}. Along with a new episode, this marathon also featured the television premiere of the first movie.

[[File:Truth or Square promotional artwork.jpeg|thumb|left|200px|Promotional artwork for "Truth or Square."]]
The [[Season 5|fifth season]], which was announced on {{Time|November 9}}, {{Time|2005}}, brought the series to 100 half-hour episodes.<ref>[https://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5331187 Yellow fever: 'SpongeBob' renewed - Democratic Underground]</ref> This season featured the series' first television movie, "[[Atlantis SquarePantis]]," which premiered on {{Time|November 12}}, {{Time|2007}}, after [[SpongeBob Z to A Countdown|a 12-hour marathon]]. This ended up being the series' most-viewed episode in its history, with a total of 8.757 million viewers on premiere.<ref name="nickandmore">[https://www.nickandmore.com/kids-tv-history/list-of-highest-rated-nickelodeon-premieres/ Nickelodeon's most-watched premieres - Nickandmore!]</ref> Another marathon aired later that month, with eight new episodes premiering as part of the [[Non-Stop Nicktoons Weekend#2007|Super Stuffed Nicktoons Weekend 2007]].

The series celebrated its 10th anniversary throughout {{Time|2009}}, with the show in its [[Season 6|sixth season]]. The special "[[SpongeBob SquarePants vs. The Big One]]" aired on {{Time|April 17}}, 2009, featuring guest star [[Johnny Depp]] as [[Jack Kahuna Laguna]]. A 50-hour marathon, [[The Ultimate SpongeBob SpongeBash]], aired on Nickelodeon on July 17-{{Time|July 19|19}}, 2009, featured 12 new episodes, a fan vote of the top 10 episodes, and celebrities sharing their picks for their favorite episodes. The series' second television movie, "[[Truth or Square]]," aired on {{Time|November 6}} of that year, and received 7.658 million viewers on premiere.<ref name="nickandmore"/>

===Miniseries events and the second movie (2010—2015)===
[[File:Legends of Bikini Bottom (Book).jpg|thumb|200px|The Legends of Bikini Bottom.]]
[[Season 7]], which was announced on {{Time|March 13}}, {{Time|2008}},<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080616023120/http://www.news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=22274 Nick Orders New Eps of "SpongeBob," "OddParents" and Other Series - ToonZone]</ref> featured the first miniseries, [[SpongeBob's Legends of Bikini Bottom|Legends of Bikini Bottom]], which released on DVD on {{Time|November 16}}, {{Time|2010}} and aired on television on {{Time|January 28}}, {{Time|2011}}, with "[[Sponge-Cano!]]," "[[The Main Drain]]," "[[The Monster Who Came to Bikini Bottom]]," and "[[Welcome to the Bikini Bottom Triangle]]," and {{Time|January 29}}, 2011 with "[[Trenchbillies]]." The miniseries was based around supernatural events or characters in Bikini Bottom. [[SpongeBob's Runaway Roadtrip (event)|SpongeBob's Runaway Roadtrip]], a second miniseries that featured several vacation-themed episodes as part of [[season 8]], and was released on DVD on {{Time|September 20}}, 2011, and aired on television on {{Time|November 7}}-{{Time|November 11|11}} of that year.

[[File:MovieTeaser1.png|thumb|left|200px|Promotional image for ''The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water''.]]
''SpongeBob SquarePants'' surpassed ''[[w:c:rugrats:Rugrats (1991 series)|Rugrats]]'' as the longest-running Nicktoon on {{Time|April 11}}, {{Time|2012}}, with the airing of "[[Squiditis]]," the first half of the 173rd episode. Season 8 also featured a stop-motion Christmas special, "[[It's a SpongeBob Christmas!]]." It was released on DVD on November 6 and then aired on [[CBS]] on {{Time|November 23}}, {{Time|2012}}, before then premiering on Nickelodeon on {{Time|December 6}}.

The [[Season 9|ninth season]] premiered a few months earlier that year, and marked the series' transition into high-definition widescreen. However, production was halted halfway through the season to focus on ''[[The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water]]'', the second theatrical movie.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200831172238/https://www.twitter.com/VincentWaller72/status/513736507082149888 Vincent Waller on Twitter: "No, we stopped half way thru..."]</ref> The movie was officially announced to be in production in February 2012 and was set for a release in {{Time|2014}}.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120301150541/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/viacom-paramount-release-spongebob-movie-late-2014-philippe-dauman295695 Paramount to Release 'SpongeBob' Movie in Late 2014 - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> Hillenburg confirmed in an interview in 2012 that he would be returning to work on the movie.<ref>[https://www.webcitation.org/6M1QBJ1BZ Stephen Hillenburg interview]</ref> In {{Time|2013}}, the movie's release was delayed to {{Time|February 13}}, {{Time|2015}},<ref>[https://archive.ph/20130802003916/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paramount-dates-spongebob-squarepants-2-598033 Paramount Dates 'Spongebob Squarepants 2,' 'Monster Trucks' for 2015 - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> although it would later be pushed ahead by a week to release on {{Time|February 6}}.<ref>[https://archive.ph/20140605224820/http://www.thewrap.com/paramount-avoids-fifty-shades-by-moving-up-spongebob-squarepants-sequel/ Paramount Avoids 'Fifty Shades' by Moving Up 'Spongebob Squarepants' Sequel - The Wrap]</ref>

===Return to production (2015—2018)===
[[File:Jon-Hamm-Don-Grouper-Guest-Star-Character-SpongeBob-SquarePants-Special-Goodbye-Krabby-Patty-Factory-Fresh-200th-Episode-Sneak-Peek-Nickelodeon-Nick-Press-Art.jpg|thumb|200px|Promotional image for "Goodbye, Krabby Patty?"]]
After ''Sponge Out of Water'' finished production, production resumed on season 9 for the second half of the season. Stephen Hillenburg made a full-return to the series in January {{Time|2015}}<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20141214230759/https://twitter.com/paultibbitt/status/542862854622162944 Paul Tibbitt on Twitter: "Ok everybody. One last time."]</ref> and was involved in every stage of production.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20191116030431/https://twitter.com/VincentWaller72/status/1195533541259350017 Vincent Waller on Twitter: "If you mean what actual work he was doing."]</ref> The second half of the season premiered on {{Time|July 16}}, 2015, marking a regular return for new episodes. [[Vincent Waller]], along with [[Marc Ceccarelli]], became showrunners during this half of the season. The show also reached the 200-episode milestone in this season, marked by the special "[[Goodbye, Krabby Patty?]]" The [[Season 10|tenth season]] premiered on {{Time|October 15}}, {{Time|2016}}, with ''SpongeBob'' being the second Nicktoon to reach that milestone, after ''[[w:c:fairlyoddparents:The Fairly OddParents!|The Fairly OddParents]]''. Earlier that year, the show was renewed for an [[Season 11|eleventh season]], making ''SpongeBob'' the first Nicktoon to reach that milestone.

It was announced that Hillenburg was diagnosed with {{W|ALS}} (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) on {{Time|March 13}}, {{Time|2017}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/spongebob-squarepants-creator-stephen-hillenburg-reveals-als-diagnosis-1202007865/|title='SpongeBob SquarePants' Creator Stephen Hillenburg Reveals ALS Diagnosis|date=March 13, 2017}}</ref> His deteriorating health made it difficult for him to speak or offer input on the series. According to Paul Tibbitt, {{W|Mark Osborne (filmmaker)|Mark Osborne}}, [[Tom Kenny]], and Vincent Waller, Hillenburg stopped coming to [[Nickelodeon Animation Studio]] in August {{Time|2018}}, three months before his passing.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190813132419/https://longreads.com/2019/08/13/the-young-man-and-the-sea-sponge/amp/ The Young Man and the Sea Sponge - Longreads]</ref> Hillenburg passed away on {{Time|November 26}}, 2018, at the age of 57.<ref>[https://www.yahoo.com/news/spongebob-squarepants-creator-stephen-hillenburg-173003126.html 'SpongeBob Squarepants' Creator Stephen Hillenburg Dies at 57 - Yahoo]</ref> Nickelodeon confirmed that the series would continue after his death a few days later.<ref>[https://x.com/Nickelodeon/status/1067913022822334464 Nickelodeon on Twitter: "The show isn't cancelled."]</ref> Hillenburg would later receive dedication messages at the end of "[[SpongeBob's Big Birthday Blowout]]" and ''[[The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run]]'', and he still receives executive producer credit.

===20th anniversary and third movie (2019—2021)===
[[File:The Trusty Slab Crew.jpeg|thumb|200px|Promotional image with the show's cast for "SpongeBob's Big Birthday Blowout."]]
The series' [[Best Year Ever|20th anniversary]] was celebrated throughout {{Time|2019}} and {{Time|2020}}, with Nickelodeon holding a worldwide campaign featuring several events and marathons of the show around the world. Among the most notable was the [[Every SpongeBob Ever]] marathon, which aired on [[Nicktoons]] starting on {{Time|July 7}}, 2019 and was planned to lead up to "SpongeBob's Big Birthday Blowout," the third television movie of the series. The marathon, however, ended abruptly on {{Time|July 11}}.<ref>[https://x.com/RealMagitroopa/status/1149526240509829120 Kevin on Twitter: "Very interesting..."]</ref> Several new episodes aired throughout the summer and fall of 2019, and the campaign was originally planned to lead up to the third mainline movie, ''The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run'', which was set for a release in theaters in May 2020.<ref>[https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-spongebob-20th-best-year-ever-20190211-story.html 'SpongeBob Squarepants' to celebrate 20 years with the 'Best Year Ever' and a new movie - Los Angeles Times]</ref><ref>[https://deadline.com/2019/02/the-spongebob-movie-moved-by-paramount-to-a-may-22-2020-opener-1202547962/ 'The SpongeBob Movie' Moves To May 2020 For Paramount - Deadline]</ref>

Due to the {{W|COVID-19 pandemic}}, ''Sponge on the Run'' was delayed multiple times,<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/04/the-spongebob-movie-sponge-on-the-run-new-release-date-1202908177/ 'The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On the Run' Takes Over 'Infinite's Early August Slot - Deadline]</ref> and was eventually shifted to a digital release on [[Paramount+]] in March {{Time|2021}}.<ref>[https://variety.com/2020/film/news/spongebob-movie-skipping-theaters-cbs-all-access-1203539493/ 'SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run' Skipping Theaters to Launch On Demand and CBS All Access (EXCLUSIVE) - Variety]</ref> The movie released in theaters in Canada in August 2020,<ref>[https://x.com/ParamountCanada/status/1288988083514482688 Paramount Canada on Twitter: "The happiest place on earth..."]</ref> and on [[Netflix]] most countries worldwide in November 2020.<ref>[https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a34484315/spongebob-sponge-on-the-run-netflix-premiere-date/ New SpongeBob movie that skipped cinemas is coming to Netflix very soon - DigitalSpy]</ref>

===25th anniversary and fourth movie (2021—present)===
[[File:SpongeBob SquarePants 25th Anniversary Artwork 1.jpg|thumb|200px|Artwork for the show's 25th anniversary.]]
[[Season 13]], which premiered on {{Time|October 22}}, 2020, was the first season to have spin-offs produced alongside the main series, so several episodes in this season contain references to their content. This continued throughout [[season 14]], which was announced on {{Time|March 24}}, {{Time|2022}}. This season was originally planned to have 26 half-hours,<ref>[https://deadline.com/2022/03/spongebob-squarepants-paw-patrol-blues-clues-you-renewed-nickelodeon-1234986103/ 'SpongeBob SquarePants', 'PAW Patrol,' 'Blue’s Clues & You!' Renewed By Nickelodeon - Deadline]</ref> but the second half of this season was split off into [[season 15]], which was announced on {{Time|September 29}}, {{Time|2023}}. Season 14 brought the series' number of episodes to 306, marking a milestone of 300 half-hour episodes. As of {{Time|February 22}}, 2025, ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' is the longest-running children's cartoon in the United States, surpassing ''{{W|Arthur (TV series)|Arthur}}''.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/spongebob-longest-running-animated-shows-kids/ SpongeBob Beats Arthur to Become the Longest Running Animated Kids Show - ComicBook]</ref>

{{Time|2024}} saw the celebration of the series' [[SpongeBob 25|25th anniversary]]. Similarly to the Best Year Ever in 2019, several promotions were carried out worldwide, ranging from panels at {{W|San Diego Comic-Con}} and {{W|New York Comic Con}} dedicated to ''SpongeBob'', to themed restaurants opening in Brazil and Japan. The [[2024 Kids' Choice Awards]] were also themed around ''SpongeBob'', featuring SpongeBob and Patrick as the hosts. Several new episodes that aired throughout the year were themed around the anniversary, including "[[Kreepaway Kamp]]," the series' fourth television movie that aired on {{Time|October 10}}, 2024. [[Season 16]] premiered on {{Time|June 27}}, {{Time|2025}} with another television movie, "[[SpongeBob and Patrick's Timeline Twist-Up]]," as part of [[SpongeBob's Summer of F.U.N.]].

A fourth mainline movie, ''[[The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants]]'', was announced in February 2022,<ref name="searchfor">[https://x.com/paramountplus/status/1493707479275827200 Paramount+ Twitter: "As the streaming home for Bikini Bottom..."]</ref> and is currently slated to release on {{Time|December 19}}, 2025.

==Episodes==
{{Main|List of episodes}}
{{Main|List of SpongeBob SquarePants episodes (sorted)}}
{| class="wikitable"
!Season
!Episodes<br><small>(half-hours)</small>
!Premiere
!Finale
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 1|1]]
| rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;" |20
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|May 1}}, {{Time|1999}}
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|March 3}}, {{Time|2001}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 2|2]]
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|October 20}}, {{Time|2000}}
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|July 26}}, {{Time|2003}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 3|3]]
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|October 5}}, {{Time|2001}}
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|October 11}}, {{Time|2004}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 4|4]]
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|May 6}}, {{Time|2005}}
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|July 24}}, {{Time|2007}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 5|5]]
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|February 19}}, {{Time|2007}}
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|July 19}}, {{Time|2009}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 6|6]]
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" |26
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|March 3}}, {{Time|2008}}
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|July 5}}, {{Time|2010}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 7|7]]
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|July 19}}, {{Time|2009}}
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|June 11}}, {{Time|2011}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 8|8]]
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|March 26}}, {{Time|2011}}
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|December 6}}, {{Time|2012}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 9|9]]
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|July 21}}, {{Time|2012}}
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|February 20}}, {{Time|2017}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 10|10]]
| style="text-align:center;" |11
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|October 15}}, {{Time|2016}}
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|December 2}}, {{Time|2017}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 11|11]]
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |26
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|June 24}}, {{Time|2017}}
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|November 25}}, {{Time|2018}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 12|12]]
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|November 11}}, {{Time|2018}}
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|April 29}}, {{Time|2022}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 13|13]]
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|October 22}}, {{Time|2020}}
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|November 1}}, {{Time|2023}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 14|14]]
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |13
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|November 2}}, {{Time|2023}}
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|December 2}}, {{Time|2024}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 15|15]]
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|July 24}}, {{Time|2024}}
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|June 20}}, {{Time|2025}} 
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[Season 16|16]] 
| style="text-align:center;" |{{Time|June 27}}, {{Time|2025}}
| style="text-align:center;" |TBA
|}

==Reception==
===Critical reception===
{{Main|List of awards and nominations for SpongeBob SquarePants}}
''SpongeBob SquarePants'' received widespread critical acclaim since its debut. The series' appeal towards multiple age groups, ranging from children to teens and adults, has frequently been cited. Laura Fries of ''{{W|Variety (magazine)|Variety}}'' wrote, "Devoid of the double entendres rife in today's animated TV shows, this is purely kid's stuff, filled with classic cartoon dialogue like 'that's the kind of smelly smell that smells smelly.' However, that's not to say that SpongeBob is simplistic or even juvenile. It's charming and whimsical, but clever enough to appeal to teens and college-aged kids as well." <ref>[https://variety.com/1999/tv/reviews/spongebob-squarepants-1200458428/ SpongeBob SquarePants - Variety]</ref> {{W|Robert Thompson (media scholar)|Robert Thompson}} of {{W|Syracuse University}} stated, "It's so gentle and soothing to watch. It's a kind of time machine that transports parents back to when they watched TV in their footie [pajamas]. It has the look of a classic old show and a certain innocence and wholesomeness of attitude that is clearly a throwback to a simpler time. On the other hand, it's very hip in the way it's presented. It is very edgy to adults who know how to read and listen between the frames. There is irony and parody, but even that seems sincere and open. On campuses, he says, there are 19- and 20-year-olds who wouldn't be caught dead watching an episode of ''Friends'' who would not miss a single episode of SpongeBob."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030302082942/http://www.latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-040702spongebob.story Adults Find Their Inner Sponge - Los Angeles Times]</ref> The series has developed a following among [[List of notable fans of SpongeBob SquarePants|many celebrities]], and several have guest-starred on the show.

The title character was ranked #9 on TV Guide's list of the 50 greatest cartoon characters of all-time in 2002.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050404044955/http://archives.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/30/cartoon.characters.list/ TV Guide's 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time - CNN]</ref> The series was also ranked at #8 on the site's list of greatest classic cartoons in 2013.<ref>[https://www.tvguide.com/news/definitive-ranking-old-cartoons/ The Definitive Ranking of The Simpsons, Peanuts, and More Old Cartoons From Your Childhood - TV Guide]</ref> The series was ranked #28 on {{W|Channel 4}}'s list of the 100 greatest cartoons in 2004.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090520014452/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/cartoons/results.html The 100 Greatest Cartoons - Channel 4]</ref> ''SpongeBob'' was ranked #15 on {{W|IGN}}'s list of the top 25 primetime animated series of all-time in 2006,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120923030609/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/09/29/top-25-primetime-animated-series-of-all-time?page=3 Top 25 Primetime Animated Series of All Time - IGN]</ref> and was also ranked #15 on the site's UK counterpart's list of top 100 animated TV series.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120620010829/http://uk.tv.ign.com/top-100-animated-tv-series/15.html Top 100 Animated TV Series - IGN UK]</ref> IGN also ranked ''SpongeBob'' at #14 on their list of top 25 animated shows for adults in 2019.<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/25/top-25-animated-shows-for-adults?page=3 The 25 Best Adult Cartoon TV Series - IGN]</ref> The series was featured on {{W|Time (magazine)|Time}}'s list of the 100 best TV shows of all-time in 2007.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111022130006/http://entertainment.time.com/2007/09/06/the-100-best-tv-shows-of-all-time/slide/spongebob-squarepants-2/#spongebob-squarepants-2 All-TIME 100 TV Shows - TIME Entertainment]</ref>

''SpongeBob SquarePants'' received many nominations for a variety of different awards over time, including the {{W|Annie Awards}}, {{W|Emmy Awards}}, and {{W|Motion Picture Sound Editors#Golden Reel Awards|Golden Reel Awards}}, being recognized in various aspects, such as voice acting, directing, writing, and music. The series has won seven Annie Awards, six Emmy Awards, eight Golden Reel Awards, and four {{W|British Academy of Film and Television Arts}} (BAFTA) awards. In Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards, the series has won the Favorite Cartoon category 22 out of 23 times, losing only in 2008.

===Legacy===
{{Main|SpongeBob SquarePants in popular culture}}
''SpongeBob SquarePants'' became a worldwide phenomenon. A wax sculpture of SpongeBob was launched in the {{W|Madame Tussauds}} wax museum in New York City in {{Time|2009}} for the series' 10th anniversary.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131203020651/http://www.timeout.com/new-york-kids/tony-kids-blog/yellow-fever-spongebob-figure-to-debut-at-madame-tussauds Yellow fever: SpongeBob figure to debut at Madame Tussauds - TimeOut New York]</ref> A blog, "SpongeBob on the Nile," was created to document all of SpongeBob's appearances in Egypt.<ref>[https://spongebobegypt.tumblr.com/ SpongeBob on the Nile]</ref> The [[SpongeBob SquarePants Theme Song|''SpongeBob SquarePants'' theme song]] became popular with the Russian military as of 2013.<ref>[https://metro.co.uk/2013/02/19/russian-soldiers-march-to-spongebob-squarepants-theme-song-3503968/ Russian soldiers march to SpongeBob SquarePants theme song - Metro]</ref> Many countries had their own dedicated ''SpongeBob''-themed events, such as the UK and Ireland having the "[[SpongeBob's Top 100]]" marathon in June 2012, which like the Best Day Ever marathon, featured a fan vote of 100 episodes throughout the series.

''SpongeBob''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s massive popularity also resulted in many works of media making references to the show, ranging from other Nickelodeon shows to shows from other networks, as well as movies and video games. The show's popularity has also contributed to many [[List of memes|internet memes]] and [[List of internet parodies|fan-made parodies]] that became popular online. The series is also considered to have shaped the culture of {{W|Millennials}} and {{W|Generation Z}}.<ref>[https://www.jstor.org/stable/26926333?seq=2 The SpongeBob Franchise: Pop Culture Fixture, Reboot Culture Artifact - JStor]</ref><ref>[https://www.bcschronicle.com/spongebob-squarepants-the-most-important-show-to-generation-z-and-their-popular-culture SpongeBob SquarePants: The Most Important Show to Generation Z and their Popular Culture - Bryan College Station Chronicle]</ref>

After Hillenburg's death, many fans petitioned for the song "[[Sweet Victory]]" (featured in "[[Band Geeks]]") to be played at the halftime show for {{W|Super Bowl LIII}}.<ref>[https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/article223421025.html This is how a SpongeBob song would sound at this year’s Super Bowl - Miami Herald]</ref><ref>[https://www.avclub.com/100-000-fans-demand-spongebob-be-allowed-to-play-the-ha-1830786621 100,000 fans demand SpongeBob be allowed to play the half-time show at next year's Super Bowl - AV Club]</ref> [[Super Bowl LIII Halftime Show short|A short animation]] played to introduce {{W|Travis Scott}}'s performance of "{{W|Sicko Mode}}." Some fans were disappointed,<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spongebob-squarepants-fans-have-mixed-reactions-to-super-bowl-halftime-show-appearance-2019-02-03-atlanta/ SpongeBob SquarePants fans have mixed reactions to tribute during Super Bowl halftime show - CBS News]</ref> mainly due how some of the marketing leading up to the Super Bowl implied that "Sweet Victory" would be featured.<ref>[https://x.com/MBStadium/status/1072971820138225666 Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Twitter]</ref><ref>[https://x.com/maroon5/status/1084532906943406080 Maroon 5 on Twitter]</ref> As a response, the {{W|Dallas Stars}} of the {{W|National Hockey League}} featured the full song during a game at the {{W|American Airlines Center}}.<ref>[https://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2019/2/5/18212310/dallas-stars-sweet-victory-spongebob-video The Dallas Stars gave us the 'Sweet Victory' Spongebob halftime we missed at the Super Bowl - SBNation]</ref> ''SpongeBob'' became a regular feature in Nickelodeon's NFL coverage in following years, including a [[Super Bowl LVIII: Live from Bikini Bottom|special broadcast]] of {{W|Super Bowl LVIII}} in 2024.

==Spin-off media==
{{Main|List of spin-offs}}
[[File:Spongebobuniverselogo.jpg|thumb|260px|The official logo for the "SpongeBob Universe."]]

===Series===
[[Brian Robbins]], the president of Nickelodeon, announced on {{Time|February 14}}, 2019 that multiple ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' spin-off shows were in development.<ref name="variety.com">[https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/nickelodeon-brian-robbins-spongebob-lego-paddington-john-cena-1203139534/ 'SpongeBob' Spinoffs Planned as Nickelodeon Chief Brian Robbins Tries to Win Back Young Viewers (EXCLUSIVE) - Variety]</ref>

The first spin-off series, {{KKSUY}}, was announced on {{Time|June 4}}, 2019.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2019/06/spongebob-squarepants-cg-animated-prequel-series-kamp-koral-greenlighted-nickelodeon-1202626441/ 'SpongeBob SquarePants' CG-Animated Prequel Series 'Kamp Koral' Greenlighted By Nickelodeon - Deadline]</ref> The series is based on ''The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run'', which featured [[Kamp Koral (location)|Kamp Koral]] in several flashbacks. The show features younger versions of the main characters at a summer sleepaway camp, Kamp Koral. The series premiered with its first batch on Paramount+ on {{Time|March 4}}, 2021 (the same day that ''Sponge on the Run'' released on the service), and premiered on Nickelodeon the following month. The series would eventually end up with 39 half-hour episodes in two seasons, with [[Season 2 (Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years)|the second and final]] season releasing in full on Paramount+ on {{Time|July 10}}, 2024.

A second spin-off series, {{TPSS}}, was announced on {{Time|August 10}}, 2020.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2020/08/spongebob-squarepants-spinoff-series-the-patrick-star-show-set-nickelodeon-bill-fagerbakke-1203006633/ 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Spinoff Series 'The Patrick Star Show' Set At Nickelodeon - Deadline]</ref> The show is centered around Patrick hosting a variety talk show with his family's help. The series premiered on Nickelodeon on {{Time|July 9}}, 2021, and it is currently in its [[Season 4 (The Patrick Star Show)|fourth season]], which premiered on {{Time|March 21}}, 2025, and has aired over 50 half-hour episodes.

===Movies===
To add onto the mainline movies, two spin-off movies were announced on {{Time|March 4}}, 2020 to release on Netflix.<ref>[https://www.mediaplaynews.com/its-a-spongebob-squarepants-vision-at-viacomcbs/ It's a 'SpongeBob SquarePants' World at ViacomCBS - MediaPlayNews]</ref> A third one was confirmed in February 2022,<ref name="searchfor"/> although the status on that movie is currently unknown.

The first character-driven spin-off movie, ''[[Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie]]'', was released on Netflix on {{Time|August 2}}, 2024, and focuses on Sandy and SpongeBob meeting the former's family in [[Texas (state)|Texas]] and having to save Bikini Bottom from an [[Sue Nahmee|evil CEO]]. The second spin-off movie, ''[[Plankton: The Movie]]'' was released on {{Time|March 7}}, 2025, and focuses on Plankton having to deal with Karen when she takes a stand on destroying the world without him.

===Musical===
A [[SpongeBob SquarePants (musical)|musical]] based on the series opened in June 2016 at the {{W|Nederlander Theatre (Chicago)|Nederlander Theatre}} in Chicago, and later ran at the {{W|Palace Theatre (New York City)|Palace Theatre}} in New York City from November 2017 to June 2018. The musical also had a [[The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!|televised version]] in December 2019.

==Trivia==
===General===
[[File:KCASpongebob.jpg|thumb|260px|The SpongeBob cast accepting the award for Favorite Cartoon at the 2015 Kids Choice Awards.]]
*''SpongeBob SquarePants'' is now the longest-running show on Nickelodeon, after it took the title from ''{{W|Nick News}}'' on {{Time|December 15}}, {{Time|2022}}, and is also the longest-running animated show on Nickelodeon.
*''SpongeBob'' is the only Nicktoon and Nickelodeon show that premiered in the 1990s and is still airing new episodes on TV. This does not include the [[w:c:rugrats:Rugrats (2021 series)|''Rugrats'' 2021 revival series]], as the original series ended in 2004.
*Some of the characters were inspired by people from Stephen Hillenburg's life. Karen was inspired by Stephen Hillenburg's wife, [[Karen Hillenburg]].<ref>[https://podcasts.apple.com/si/podcast/jill-talley-karen-conspiracies-and-computers/id1586201809?i=1000552095911 Jill Talley: Karen, Conspiracies and Computers - SpongeBob BingePants]</ref> Mr. Krabs was inspired by one of Hillenburg's former bosses at a seafood restaurant.<ref>[http://nieonline.com/coloradonie/downloads/minipage/minipage7.15.15.pdf The Mini Page - What a Sponge!]</ref>
*According to Vincent Waller, Stephen Hillenburg had several "rules" and guidelines for the show. One rule was to never explain why Pearl and Mr. Krabs are different species. Another rule was that the Krabby Patty has no animal meat in it.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200704180530/https://www.twitter.com/VincentWaller72/status/1279471355549716480 Vincent Waller on Twitter: "He had rules for the merchandising of SB."]</ref>
*The show was originally rated TV-Y while the first four seasons were airing, while it has been rated TV-Y7 since January 2007.<ref>[https://www.sbmania.net/forums/threads/tv-y7.14342/ TV-Y7 - SpongeBuddy Mania Forums]</ref>
[[File:SpongeBob SquarePants Original Theme Clip 1997|thumb|260px]] 
*The original 1997 version of "Help Wanted" featured an opening with a different theme song. The show's current theme song had not been written at the time.
*''SpongeBob SquarePants'' is the most distributed property of [[Paramount Skydance]].
*According to tweets by Vincent Waller, it takes anywhere from five to nine months to make a single regular-length episode.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210706161112/https://www.twitter.com/VincentWaller72/status/639616200775888896 Vincent Waller on Twitter: "It used to take about 9 months."]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210628010523/https://www.twitter.com/VincentWaller72/status/726440072145334273 Vincent Waller on Twitter: "It used be 9 months..."]</ref>

==Videos==
<gallery widths="180" captionalign="center" position="center">
SpongeBob SquarePants Series Premiere Promo (1999)
SpongeBob SquarePants Series Premiere - "Help Wanted," "Reef Blower," and "Tea at the Treedome" Next Saturday Morning Official Promo (May 1, 1999)
SpongeBob SquarePants Series Premiere - "Help Wanted," "Reef Blower," and "Tea at the Treedome" Official Promo (1999)
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[List of merchandise|List of merchandise based on the series]]
*[[List of home video releases]]
*[[List of games]]
*[[List of books]]
*[[List of production music]]
*[[List of original music]]
*[[List of fast food promotions]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Social media|Instagram|2=https://www.instagram.com/spongebob/}}
*{{Social media|Facebook|2=https://www.facebook.com/spongebob/}}
*{{Social media|Twitter|2=https://www.twitter.com/spongebob/}}
*{{Social media|YouTube|2=https://www.youtube.com/c/SpongeBobOfficial/videos}}

{{Wikipedia|SpongeBob SquarePants}}
{{International}}
[[Category:Series]]
[[ar:سبونج بوب سكوير بانتز]]
[[cy:Spynjbob Pantsgwâr (Cyfres)]]
[[de:SpongeBob Schwammkopf (Serie)]]
[[el:Μπομπ Σφουγγαράκης]]
[[es:Bob Esponja (serie)]]
[[fr:Bob l'éponge (série)]]
[[he:תבנית:מידע על בובספוג]]
[[hr:Spužva Bob Skockani (serija)]]
[[hu:Spongyabob Kockanadrág (sorozat)]]
[[id:SpongeBob SquarePants (seri)]]
[[it:SpongeBob]]
[[ja:スポンジ・ボブ (テレビアニメ)]]
[[ko:스폰지 밥 보글]]
[[nl:SpongeBob SquarePants (serie)]]
[[pl:SpongeBob Kanciastoporty (serial)]]
[[pt-br:Bob Esponja Calça Quadrada (série)]]
[[ro:Buretele Bob Pantaloni Pătrați]]
[[ru:Губка Боб Квадратные Штаны (мультсериал)]]
[[sr:Sunđer Bob Kockalone (serija)]]
[[uk:Губка Боб Квадратні Штани (мультсеріал)]]
[[zh:海綿寶寶 (系列)]]