View source for The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

{{UnairedMovie}}
{{MultiIssues|Image|IncompleteInfobox|Cleanup|is currently in the middle of an expansion or major revamping}}
{{Movie
|title = The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
|image = <gallery>
Search for SquarePants poster 3.jpeg|Poster 1
Search for SquarePants poster 2.jpeg|Poster 2
Search for SquarePants logo.png|Logo
</gallery>
|movienumber = 4 (main)<br>6 (overall)
|airdate = {{Flag|USA}} {{Flag|CAN}} {{Time|December 19}}, {{Time|2025}}<ref name="deadline">[https://deadline.com/2023/10/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-2-quiet-place-day-one-actors-strike-1235580981/ Deadline - 'Mission: Impossible 8' Jumps To 2025; 'A Quiet Place: Day One' Goes To Summer In 2024 Theatrical Shake-Up Due To Actors Strike]</ref><ref>https://www.tribute.ca/movies/the-spongebob-movie-search-for-squarepants/184207/</ref><br>{{Flag|AUS}} {{Flag|NZ}} {{Time|December 26}}, {{Time|2025}}<ref>https://www.parasales.net/schedule/australia/the-spongebob-movie-search-for-squarepants</ref><ref>https://www.instagram.com/hoytsnewzealand/p/C5pWHgPo1n1/</ref><br>{{Flag|UK}} {{Flag|IRL}} {{Time|December 26}}, {{Time|2025}}<ref>https://www.dcm.co.uk/uploads/documents/film_schedule_web.pdf<sub></sub></ref>{{SeeMore}}{{Flag|EGY}} {{Time|December 17}}, {{Time|2025}}<br>{{Flag|CYP}} {{Flag|HK}} {{Flag|IQ}} {{Flag|ISR}} {{Flag|JDN}} {{Flag|OM}} {{Flag|QA}} {{Flag|SK}} {{Time|December 18}}, {{Time|2025}}<br>{{Flag|BGD}} {{Flag|BUL}} {{Flag|EST}} {{Flag|ETH}} {{Flag|KEN}} {{Flag|KUW}} {{Flag|LAT}} {{Flag|LEB}} {{Flag|PAK}} {{Time|December 19}}, {{Time|2025}}<ref>https://labskino.lv/eng/soon</ref><ref>https://pl.kinoafisha.info/releases/2025/</ref><br>{{Flag|BEL}} {{Flag|CHE}} {{Flag|FRA}} {{Flag|IDN}} {{Time|December 24}}, {{Time|2025}}<ref>https://www.cineman.ch/en/movie/soon/?movie_list_294_page=6</ref><ref>https://www.paramountpictures.fr/film/bob-leponge-le-film-a-la-recherche-de-leponge-perdue/</ref><br>{{Flag|AUT}} {{Flag|BOL}} {{Flag|COL}} {{Flag|CZE}} {{Flag|DEN}} {{Flag|ECQ}} {{Flag|ELS}} {{Flag|ESP}} {{Flag|GER}} {{Flag|GRE}} {{Flag|HUN}} {{Flag|MEX}} {{Flag|MY}} {{Flag|NL}} {{Flag|PAN}} {{Flag|PER}} {{Flag|POR}} {{Flag|SARAB}} {{Flag|SG}} {{Flag|SLK}} {{Flag|TH}} {{Flag|UAE}} {{Flag|UKR}} {{Flag|URU}}  {{Flag|VN}} {{Time|December 25}}, {{Time|2025}}<ref>https://www.uip.dk/en/taxonomy/term/2906</ref><ref>https://www.tumblr.com/uipdunafilm/143884311664/megjelen%C3%A9sek</ref><ref>https://www.elseptimoarte.net/peliculas/the-spongebob-movie-search-for-squarepants-27812.html</ref><ref>https://www.cinema.com.my/movies/details.aspx?search=2025.19678.spongebob2025.38460&title=The-SpongeBob-Movie-Search-For-SquarePants</ref><ref>https://www.universalpictures.nl/release</ref><ref>https://www.cinemart.cz/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Cinemart_plan_premier.pdf</ref><ref>https://incinemas.sg/mobile/details.aspx?id=6303</ref><ref>https://bg.kinoafisha.info/releases/2025/</ref><br>{{Flag|FNS}} {{Flag|ICE}} {{Flag|IND}} {{Flag|LIT}} {{Flag|ROM}} {{Flag|TW}} {{Flag|ZA}} {{Time|December 26}}, {{Time|2025}}<ref>https://www.forumfilm.bg/?search=&per_page=7</ref><ref>https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie-release-dates/</ref><br>{{Flag|ARG}} {{Flag|BRA}} {{Flag|CHL}} {{Flag|ITA}} {{Time|January 1}}, {{Time|2026}}<ref>https://www.filmeb.com.br/calendario-de-estreias/spongebob-4</ref><br>{{Flag|POL}} {{Time|January 2}}, {{Time|2026}}<br>{{Flag|CRO}} {{Time|January 6}}, {{Time|2026}}<br>{{Flag|MTN}} {{Flag|SER}} {{Time|January 8}}, {{Time|2026}}<br>{{Flag|TUR}} {{Time|January 16}}, {{Time|2026}}<ref>https://boxofficeturkiye.com/takvim/2026/ocak</ref><br>{{Flag|PHL}} {{Time|January 21}}, {{Time|2026}}<br>{{Flag|NOR}} {{Time|February 6}}, {{Time|2026}}<ref>https://www.filmweb.no/film/UIP20221492#22.06.2025</ref><br>{{Flag|SWE}} {{Time|February 20}}, {{Time|2026}}<ref>https://www.uip.se/</ref><br>{{Flag|JAP}} {{Time|April 3}}, {{Time|2026}}{{SeeMoreEnd}}
{{SeeMoreEnd}}
|storyboard artist = [[Derek Drymon]]<ref>[[File:SFS_Derekboards.jpeg|thumb|180px]]</ref><br>[[Aaron Springer]]<ref>https://www.instagram.com/erik.wiese.creative/p/C5owqukSmmi/</ref><br>[[Erik Wiese]]<ref>https://erikwiese.com/credits/</ref><br>[[David Feiss]]<ref name="DavidPaulInsta">https://www.instagram.com/p/DMX6mCSRzPL/</ref><br>[[Scott Underwood]]<ref>https://zerply.com/scottdiggs</ref><br>[[Mark Ackland]]<ref>https://ca.linkedin.com/in/mark-ackland-5728a19</ref><br>[[Jason Reicher]]<ref>https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-reicher-757a48ab</ref><br>[[Josh Engel]]<ref>https://www.linkedin.com/in/jengel1</ref><br>[[Anthony Jensen]]<ref>https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyjensen95</ref><br>[[Lewie Kerr]]<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/DMKxBlkxPfJ/</ref><br>[[Paul McEvoy]]<ref name="DavidPaulInsta"/>
|guests = [[Mark Hamill]] as the [[Flying Dutchman]]<br>[[List of guest stars#Ice Spice|Ice Spice]] as TBA<ref name="screendaily">https://www.screendaily.com/news/regina-hall-ice-spice-join-paramounts-spongebob-movie-4/5205853.article</ref><br>[[List of guest stars#Regina Hall|Regina Hall]] as TBA<ref name="screendaily"/><br>[[List of guest stars#Sherry Cola|Sherry Cola]] as TBA<ref name="screendaily"/><br>[[List of guest stars#Arturo Castro|Arturo Castro]] as TBA<ref name="screendaily"/><br>[[List of guest stars#George Lopez|George Lopez]] as TBA<ref name="screendaily"/>
|writer = [[Pam Brady]]<ref name="Animation magazine"/><br>[[Matt Lieberman]]<ref name="Animation magazine"/>
|story = [[Kaz]]<ref name="Animation magazine">https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/04/cinemacon-paramount-updates-last-airbender-movie-title/</ref><br>[[Marc Ceccarelli]]<ref>https://directories.wga.org/project/1269387/the-spongebob-movie-search-for-squarepants/</ref><br>[[Pam Brady]]<ref name="Animation magazine"/><br>[[Andrew Goodman]] (uncredited)<ref name="Animation magazine"/>
|director = [[Derek Drymon]]
|director-storyboard = [[Mark O'Hare]]<ref>https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-o-hare-31098849</ref><br>
|director-animation = [[Mark O'Hare]]<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/DMA9mQDREKn/</ref>
|director-art= [[Travis Ruiz]]<ref>https://www.theartoftravis.com/</ref>
|briefsummary = {{Link|SpongeBob}} sets out to prove his bravery to {{Link|Mr. Krabs}} by following the [[Flying Dutchman]] to the [[Underworld|deepest depths of the deep sea]], where no sponge has gone before.
}}

It will be the fourth main ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' film, and the sixth film in the franchise overall. It is set to be released in theaters in the {{W|United States}} and {{W|Canada}} on Friday, {{Time|December 19}}, {{Time|2025}}, and several other countries in December 2025 and into {{Time|2026}}.

==Characters and Cast==
<!--Do not add unsourced characters-->
*[[Tom Kenny]] as {{Link|SpongeBob SquarePants}} and {{Link|Gary the Snail}}
*[[Bill Fagerbakke]] as [[Patrick Star]]<ref name="Cinemacon2023">Seen in concept art for the film, from Cinemacon 2023.<!--do not add leaked image, thanks!--></ref>
*[[Rodger Bumpass]] as [[Squidward Tentacles]]<ref name="Cinemacon2023" />
*[[Clancy Brown]] as [[Eugene H. Krabs]]<ref name="Cinemacon2023" />, [[Live-action pirate]]<ref>https://x.com/screenrant/status/1907853336142843986</ref>
*[[Carolyn Lawrence]] as [[Sandy Cheeks]]<ref name="DerekInstagram">[https://www.instagram.com/p/C-DPXO3J4r1/]</ref>
*[[Doug Lawrence]] as [[Sheldon J. Plankton]]<ref name="DerekInstagram">[https://www.instagram.com/p/C-DPXO3J4r1/]</ref>
*[[Mary Jo Catlett]] as [[Mrs. Puff]]<ref name="Trailer">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7t2gyIwvDo]</ref>
*[[Mark Hamill]] as [[Flying Dutchman|The Flying Dutchman]]<ref>https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/spongebob-squarepants-comic-con-panel-1236083257/</ref>
*[[List of guest stars#Ice Spice|Ice Spice]] as TBA<ref name="screendaily" />
*[[List of guest stars#Regina Hall|Regina Hall]] as TBA<ref name="screendaily" />
*[[List of guest stars#Sherry Cola|Sherry Cola]] as TBA<ref name="screendaily" />
*[[List of guest stars#Arturo Castro|Arturo Castro]] as TBA<ref name="screendaily" />
*[[List of guest stars#George Lopez|George Lopez]] as TBA<ref name="screendaily" />
*TBA as [[Barb]]<ref>https://www.instagram.com/derekdrymonart/p/C6LwOTxLfhu/</ref> 
*TBA as [[Sarina]]<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/C7rUjrZRmTP/</ref>

==Production==
{{Main|The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants/production}}

===Promotional images===
A teaser of the movie was posted by surfacing supervisor, [[Chris Gayton]], on his {{W|ArtStation}} on {{Time|January 25}}, 2025. A concept art from the movie was officially revealed during an interview with Collider.
<gallery widths="180" captionalign="center" position="center">
SFSConceptTeaser.jpg|Concept art shown at Cinemacon 2023, then publicly revealed during an interview with Collider.<ref>https://collider.com/spongebob-movie-search-for-squarepants-rules-for-animation-director-derek-drymon-mark-hamill/</ref>
Chris-gayton-sb04-teaser.jpg|Teaser posted by Chris Gayton.<ref>https://www.artstation.com/artwork/WX85ZX</ref>
Chris-gayton-sb04-teaser2.jpg|Larger teaser, posted by Chris Gayton
</gallery>

==Video game tie-ins and sponsorships==
===''[[Titans of the Tide]]'' DLC===
[[File:TotT_SeasonPass.jpg|thumb|220px|Promotional image for the Tidal Season Pass of ''Titans of the Tide'']]
A DLC based off ''Search for SquarePants'' will be included in the season pass for ''Titans of the Tide''. It will contains a costume pack and challenge levels based off the movie.<ref>https://www.thqnordic.com/article/spongebob-and-patrick-tackle-their-ghostliest-adventure-yet-spongebob-squarepants-titans</ref>
{{Clear}}

===''[[SpongeBob Tower Defense]]'' sponsorship===
[[File:Search for SquarePants Trailer New Location.png|thumb|The trailer area for ''The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants'' in ''SpongeBob Tower Defense''.]]
In the ''{{W|Roblox}}'' experience ''SpongeBob Tower Defense'', the trailer is sponsored and can be watched on a TV at [[The Reef Retreat]] during the Level Up with OLIPOP event. The TV area was moved to the entrance to the Challenge worlds to make room for the Kamp Koral event.

[[File:SBTD OLIPOP Event Area.png|thumb|The event area for "Level Up with OLIPOP" in ''SpongeBob Tower Defense''.]]
An in-game event based on the film's sponsored product [[Pineapple Paradise]] appeared from {{Time|August 8}} to {{Time|August 17}}, 2025, based on the "Hunt For All 5 Cans" promotion.<ref name=":2">Staff Beverage Industry. (August 5, 2025). "[https://www.bevindustry.com/articles/97696-olipop-debuts-spongebob-squarepants-inspired-flavor OLIPOP debuts SpongeBob SquarePants-inspired flavor]." Beverage Industry. Retrieved August 6, 2025.</ref> Players were encouraged to complete quests and unlock all five can designs, which acted as food items to level up [[units]]. Also during the event, 5,000 players would receive a redeemable code for a free four-pack of the soda.<ref name=":2" />
{{Clear}}

==Trivia==
===General===
*This movie will mark the first piece of official media in the franchise in which the Flying Dutchman is not voiced by [[Brian Doyle-Murray]], instead being voiced by [[Mark Hamill]].
**His voice actor, Mark Hamill, also previously did the voice of [[The Moth]] in the [[Season 5]] episode "[[Night Light]]" eighteen years before this movie premiered.
*This will be the first film to be release theatrically worldwide in 10 years since ''[[The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water]]'' due to ''[[The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run]]'' releasing on [[Paramount+]] and [[Netflix]] instead due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the film's theatrical release.
*Due to his passing from ALS on {{Time|November 26}}, {{Time|2018}}, this is the first mainline ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' movie to not have series creator [[Stephen Hillenburg]] involved in production in any way, shape, or form.
*This is the first movie since ''[[The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie]]'' to have SquarePants in the title and a lifeguard ring in the logo.
*The movie's plot confirms SpongeBob is traveling through the [[underworld]] to see the Flying Dutchman.
**This is similar to ''[[Legend of the Lost Spatula]]''.
*This is the second movie in the series to have [[John Debney]]<ref>https://filmmusicreporter.com/2025/04/15/john-debney-scoring-derek-drymons-the-spongebob-movie-4-search-for-squarepants/</ref> handle the score, the first being ''The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water''.
*[[Snoop Dogg]], whose one of his songs were used in this film, had previously starred in the previous film, ''[[The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run]]'', where he had portrayed [[The Gambler]].
**Coincidentally enough, this reveals that both Snoop Dogg and The Gambler co-exist in the ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' universe.

=== Cultural references ===
*One of the posters features SpongeBob and Patrick mimicking a pose that Jack and Rose make in the {{Time|1997}} film ''{{W|Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic}}''.
**Similarly, said posters tagline, "Near, far, wherever the pirates arrr," is a parody of the line "Near, far, wherever you are" from the song "{{W|My Heart Will Go On}}" by {{W|Celine Dion}}, the main theme of ''Titanic''.
**The Tweet unveiling this poster has the text "And it was all... yellow," referencing a lyric from {{W|Coldplay}}'s {{Time|2000}} song "{{W|Yellow (Coldplay song)|Yellow}}."<ref>The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants on X: [https://x.com/SpongeBobMovie/status/1949818393101561911 "And it was all...yellow! The #SpongeBobMovie: Search for SquarePants sails into theatres December 19. 🏴‍☠️]</ref>

===Dub facts===
*This movie was supposed to release in Sweden on {{Time|December 19}}, {{Time|2025}} but was later pushed back to {{Time|February 20}}, {{Time|2026}}.
*This movie was supposed to release in France on {{Time|December 17}}, {{Time|2025}} but was later pushed back to {{Time|December 24}}.
*This movie was supposed to release in the Netherlands on {{Time|December 17}}, {{Time|2025}} but was later pushed back to {{Time|December 25}}.
*The European French title for the movie was initially "Bob l'Éponge le film : A la recherche de l'éponge perdue."

==Merchandise==
===Books===
<gallery widths="180" captionalign="center" position="center">
The SpongeBob Movie- Search for SquarePants - The Junior Novelization cover.jpeg|''[[The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants - The Junior Novelization|The Junior Novelization]]''
The SpongeBob Movie- Search for SquarePants - Official Activity Book cover.jpeg|''[[The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants - Official Activity Book|Official Activity Book]]''
Pirate Pals cover.jpeg|''[[The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants - Pirate Pals|Pirate Pals]]''
The Rescue Crew cover.jpeg|''[[The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants - The Rescue Crew|The Rescue Crew]]''
How to Be a Swashbuckler! cover.jpeg|''[[The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants - How to Be a Swashbuckler!|How to Be a Swashbuckler!]]''
</gallery>

===Posters===
====Main====
<gallery widths="180" captionalign="center" position="center">
Search for SquarePants teaser poster.jpeg|Teaser poster #1
Search for SquarePants poster 2.jpeg|Teaser poster #2
Search for SquarePants poster 3.jpeg|Teaser poster #3
Extended SFSP Poster 3.jpeg|Teaser poster #3 (extended)
</gallery>

=== International Posters ===
<gallery widths="180" captionalign="center" position="center">
Jaktenpåfyrkant poster.jpg|Swedish Poster
German Poster.jpg|German Poster
FinnishSearchForSquarepantsPoster.jpeg|Finnish poster
Search for SquarePants poster Canadian French.jpg|Canadian French poster
</gallery>

===Other===
<gallery widths="180" captionalign="center" position="center">
Pineapple Paradise box.jpeg|Olipop [[Pineapple Paradise]]
Olipop - SpongeBob Tower Defense event commercial (August 8, 2025, Instagram, Facebook)
SearchForSquarePants Baking Soda.png|{{W|Arm & Hammer}} baking soda
</gallery>

==Videos==
<gallery widths="180" captionalign="center" position="center">
Happy Birthday SpongeBob🍰
</gallery>

===Trailers===
<gallery widths="180" captionalign="center" position="center">
The SpongeBob Movie Search for SquarePants - Teaser Trailer (2025)
The SpongeBob Movie- Search For SquarePants! - Official Teaser - Nickelodeon
The SpongeBob Movie- Search for SquarePants Commercial Spot
The SpongeBob Movie- Search For SquarePants Official Trailer 🧽 - -shorts
</gallery>

===International===
<gallery widths="180" captionalign="center" position="center">
File:Спондж Боб- Търсят се квадратни гащи - трейлър, озвучен на български
File:Bob L’Éponge – Le Film - Un Pour Tous, Tous Pirates ! Bande-annonce VF -Au cinéma le 24 décembre-
File:SpongeBob Schwammkopf- Piraten Ahoi! - Teaser Trailer Deutsch (2025)
File:SvampeBob- Jakten på firkant - Offisiell teaser trailer
File:Paavo Pesusieni- Syvän meren seikkailu Teaser traileri (2025) Dubattu.mp4|alt=Paavo Pesusieni- Syvän meren seikkailu Teaser traileri (2025) Dubattu|Paavo Pesusieni- Syvän meren seikkailu Teaser Traileri (2025) Dubattu
File:Bob Esponja- Em Busca da Calça Quadrada - Teaser Trailer - DUB - Paramount Pictures Brasil
File:SÜNGERBOB- KORSAN MACERASI - Türkçe Dublajlı Birinci Fragman
</gallery>
[[File:🌲 ⛄ ⛄.mp4|thumb|center|180px|{{W|Artificial intelligence visual art}} posted by [[Paramount Pictures]] Portugal on {{Time|July 14}}, {{Time|2025}},<ref>https://www.instagram.com/paramountpicturespt/reel/DMF31owttbb/</ref><ref>https://www.facebook.com/reel/1396889861641729</ref> which led to [[Leo Laifa]] posting [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gxw3kPXWEAAxXue?format=jpg&name=orig part] of [[:File:Something Smells 077.png|an image]] from "[[Something Smells]]" on {{Time|August 7}}, 2025<ref>https://x.com/laifa_l/status/1953497445507182655</ref>]]

==Names in other languages==
{{Foreign names
|Bul = Спондж Боб: Търсят се квадратни гащи
|BulR = Spondzh Bob: Tŭrsyat se kvadratni gashti
|BulM = SpongeBob: Looking for SquarePants
|Cro = Spužva Bob Film: Potraga za Skockanim
|CroM = SpongeBob Movie: The Search for the SquarePants
|Dut = SpongeBob op Piratenpad
|DutM = SpongeBob on the Pirate's Path
|FreA = Bob l'Éponge le film - À la recherche de Bob
|FreAM = SpongeBob the Movie: The Search for SpongeBob
|FreE = Bob L'Éponge – Le Film : Un Pour Tous, Tous Pirates !
|FreEM = SpongeBob the Movie: One For All, All Pirates!
|Ger = SpongeBob Schwammkopf: Piraten Ahoi!
|GerM = SpongeBob SquarePants: Pirates Ahoy!
|Gre = Μπομπ Σφουγγαράκης: Η Αναζήτηση του Τετραγωνοπαντελονη
|GreR = Bob Sfoungarákis: I Anazítisi tou Tetragonopanteloni
|GreM = SpongeBob: The Search for the SquarePants
|Ita = SpongeBob: Un'Avventura da Pirati
|ItaM = SpongeBob: A Pirate's Adventure
|Lat = Sūklis Bobs: Meklējot Kvadrātbiksi
|LatM = SpongeBob: In Search of SquarePants
|ManC = 海绵宝宝：深海大冒险
|ManCM = SpongeBob SquarePants: The Great Deep Sea Adventure
|Nor = SvampeBob: Jakten på firkant
|NorM = SpongeBob: The Hunt for SquarePants
|Pol = SpongeBob: Klątwa pirata
|PolM = SpongeBob: The Curse of the Pirate
|PorA = Bob Esponja - Em busca da calça quadrada
|PorAM = SpongeBob - The Search for SquarePants
|PorE = SpongeBob O Filme: À Procura das Calças Quadradas
|PorEM = SpongeBob the Movie: Searching for SquarePants
|Rus = Губка Боб: В поисках квадратных штанов
|RusR = Gubka Bob: V poiskakh kvadratnykh shtanov
|RusM = SpongeBob: In Search for SquarePants
|SpaA = Bob Esponja: En Busca de los Pantalones Cuadrados
|SpaAM = SpongeBob: In Search of the Lost SquarePants
|SpaE = Bob Esponja: Una aventura pirata
|SpaEM = SpongeBob: A Pirate Adventure
|Swe = Svampbob: Jakten på Fyrkant 
|SweM = SpongeBob: The Hunt for SquarePants
|Tur = Süngerbob: Korsan Macerası
|TurM = Spongebob: Pirate Adventure
|Fin=Paavo Pesusieni: Syvän meren seikkailu|FinM=SpongeBob SquarePants: Adventure at deep sea}}

==External links==
*{{Social media|Website|2=https://www.spongebobmovie.com}}
*{{Social media|Website|2=https://kids.spongebobmovie.com}} (kids site)

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
[[Category:Unreleased products]]