At some point in your life, you’ve heard of the iconic SpongeBob SquarePants. The sea sponge who’s passionate about fry cooking and jellyfish has had countless adventures. One of his most memorable took place during his feature film, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. The fandom and critics have adored this movie since its wave-making debut. Fans get to celebrate it again since this year marks its 20th anniversary.
Nickelodeon’s Silly Sea Sponge
SpongeBob SquarePants, created by Stephen Hillenburg, made his big entry splash on Nickelodeon in 1991. Since then, the sponge and his underwater friends have enchanted audiences. His companions include his best friend Patrick, pet snail Gary, and stuffy co-worker Squidward. The list also extends to his boss and owner of the Krusty Krab, Mr. Krabs. Of course, SpongeBob’s not without his fair share of adversaries like the troublemaking Bubble Bass. The most frequent and dangerous is his boss’ business rival and evil genius, Plankton.
Audiences have adored the silly sponge since the pilot episode entitled Help Wanted. It regaled viewers with the tale of SpongeBob saving the Krusty Krab from hangry anchovies. Since then, he’s had countless adventures that people enjoy rewatching whenever they need a chuckle. These escapades include becoming a door-to-door chocolate salesman and tangling with a strangling serial killer. His stories have only gotten more prominent and memorable as the years passed. One of his biggest took place in the 2004 animated film The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.
Diving Into The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie opens with SpongeBob dramatically fixing a wrong order. It’s a dream brought on by his excitement for Mr. Krabs’ new restaurant. The crustacean cheapskate will be announcing to the public who its manager will be. Spongebob believes he’s guaranteed to get the job but sadly loses it to Squidward. Krabs explains it’s because the stuffy octopus is more mature than SpongeBob. The sponge and Patrick go on a bender at a local ice cream parlor later.
At the same time, Plankton frames Krabs for stealing and selling King Neptune’s crown. It turns out the headpiece is in a forbidden place called Shell City. Before Krabs gets the death penalty, SpongeBob volunteers to retrieve the crown to save him. Neptune’s daughter Mindy vouches for the sponge to convince her father further. While SpongeBob and Patrick depart on the quest, Plankton steals the Krabby Patty formula. He begins selling the sandwiches until he mind-controls the people and conquers Bikini Bottom.
A Lesson Hidden in the Tide
The tale of The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie is one of self-acceptance. Throughout the film, SpongeBob tries to prove those who call him a kid wrong. Most of this thinking comes from Mr. Krabs and King Neptune. During the climax, SpongeBob proves them wrong but happily accepts that he’s a kid. It’s good that this movie is marketed towards children so they can learn this lesson.
The Original Ending to SpongeBob’s Legacy
If you saw The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie in theaters, you might’ve felt some finale vibes. How SpongeBob’s pants get their shape is revealed, and Plankton finally steals the secret formula. The genius also gets arrested, and the protagonist acquires his rightful promotion. SpongeBob getting his driver’s license and a car is the only unresolved tale. Nevertheless, Hillenburg designed this film to be the finale of the sponge’s story. Due to the movie’s success, more seasons were made, rendering the finale energy mute.
Despite the real-life events, many fans consider The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie the definitive ending. They are not the only ones since Hillenburg considered the show done and stepped down. Paul Tibbitt, a writer and animator for the cartoon series, filled the role. The show changed after that but continued, thanks to newer generations of followers. So, if you think the show should’ve stopped after the movie, you’re not alone.
Movie Hits the Big 2-0
2024 marks the 20th anniversary of The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. Paramount re-released the film on a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc to celebrate this milestone. Fans can now re-live and enjoy this critically acclaimed movie in a higher definition. It also comes in two different covers: a steel book and a regular. The metallic version came out in July, while the other debuted in early November. What a way to celebrate this Nickelodeon masterpiece from the early 2000s.
Final Thoughts
Even after 20 years, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie holds up to this day. It’s a wholesome, funny, and thrilling addition to the famous sponge’s legacy. You also get an exciting cameo by the legendary Baywatch star David Hasselhoff. With the movie re-released, there’s no better time to witness this incredible film. You can also watch The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie on streaming services like Max and Hulu.
