The SpongeBob franchise returns in a brand-new theatrical film this December with The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants. The story follows SpongeBob, who sets out on a deep-sea quest to prove his bravery to his boss, Mr. Krabs. To do that, SpongeBob must track down the legendary ghost pirate, the The Flying Dutchman, and venture to dangerous depths no sponge has gone before.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants will be released in the U.S. on December 19, 2025, with some international dates like France on Dec 17, Austria, Germany, Italy on Dec 18, while Nigeria and Australia on Dec 26, 2025.
Star-Studded Voice Cast & Characters
The film brings back fan-favorite voices and introduces exciting new talents:
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SpongeBob SquarePants (voiced by Tom Kenny)
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Patrick Star (Bill Fagerbakke)
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Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown)
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Supporting Bikini Bottom favorites: Squidward Tentacles, Sandy Cheeks, and Plankton return for the underwater mayhem. New additions: Actors such as Mark Hamill lend their voices. Mark plays the Flying Dutchman himself, adding spooky swagger to the ghost-pirate villain.
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Plus a fresh lineup including George Lopez, Ice Spice, and others, promising energetic new characters and fresh comedic depth.
What to Expect — Humor, Heart & High Seas
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Adventure & Comedy: Expect classic SpongeBob humour, sea creature antics, and dramatic chaos as our heroes dive deep and face the ghost-pirate threat.
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Nostalgic Vibes + Fresh Twists: Longtime fans will enjoy the return of core characters, while newcomers get a fresh, exciting storyline.
- Family-friendly Fun: True to its roots, the film remains kid-friendly yet appealing to older fans, a cinematic treat for all ages ready for a festive December release.
Why This Release Matters
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants marks the return of a beloved animated franchise to the big screen after several years. The combination of humour, voice-talent star power, and a deep-sea adventure story makes this film one of the most anticipated releases of December 2025. For fans of animation, nostalgic childhood cartoons, or just good family movies this is one to watch.
