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SpongeBob SquarePants watch order

SpongeBob movies in order, release and chronological. Updated October 20, 2026.

Start SpongeBob SquarePants with the original series (1999), which the films and spin-offs all build on; its first three seasons are the classic era. Watch the theatrical films in release order: The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004), Sponge Out of Water (2015), Sponge on the Run (2020) and Search for SquarePants (2025). Kamp Koral is a prequel about SpongeBob as a kid, and the Netflix films about Sandy and Plankton are optional side stories.

How to watch the SpongeBob movies in order: the full guide

All 9 films and series in the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise, in release order and in chronological (story) order. The first in release order is SpongeBob SquarePants (1999); the first in chronological order is Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years (set in SpongeBob at age 10).

Release order

  1. SpongeBob SquarePants (Series, 1999): The main show, from 1999 and still running; everything else spins off from it.
  2. The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (Movie, 2004): SpongeBob and Patrick leave Bikini Bottom to recover King Neptune's crown and save Mr. Krabs.
  3. The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (Movie, 2015): The Krabby Patty formula vanishes and the gang ends up on land as superheroes.
  4. The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (Movie, 2020): Gary is snail-napped, and SpongeBob and Patrick head to the Lost City of Atlantic City.
  5. Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years (Series, 2021): A CGI prequel: 10-year-old SpongeBob and friends at summer camp.
  6. The Patrick Star Show (Series, 2021): Patrick hosts a TV show from his family's home.
  7. Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (Movie, 2024): Bikini Bottom is scooped from the sea, and SpongeBob goes with Sandy to Texas.
  8. Plankton: The Movie (Movie, 2025): Plankton's computer wife Karen goes rogue and tries to take over the world.
  9. The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (Movie, 2025): SpongeBob follows the Flying Dutchman into the Underworld to prove he is a big guy.

Chronological order

  1. Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years (set in SpongeBob at age 10): A CGI prequel: 10-year-old SpongeBob and friends at summer camp.
  2. SpongeBob SquarePants (set in Bikini Bottom): The main show, from 1999 and still running; everything else spins off from it.
  3. The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (set in Shell City): SpongeBob and Patrick leave Bikini Bottom to recover King Neptune's crown and save Mr. Krabs.
  4. The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (set in Bikini Bottom and the surface): The Krabby Patty formula vanishes and the gang ends up on land as superheroes.
  5. The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (set in The Lost City of Atlantic City): Gary is snail-napped, and SpongeBob and Patrick head to the Lost City of Atlantic City.
  6. The Patrick Star Show (set in Patrick's home TV show): Patrick hosts a TV show from his family's home.
  7. Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (set in Texas): Bikini Bottom is scooped from the sea, and SpongeBob goes with Sandy to Texas.
  8. Plankton: The Movie (set in The Chum Bucket): Plankton's computer wife Karen goes rogue and tries to take over the world.
  9. The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (set in The Underworld): SpongeBob follows the Flying Dutchman into the Underworld to prove he is a big guy.

Common questions

What order should I watch the SpongeBob movies in?

Start SpongeBob SquarePants with the original series (1999), which the films and spin-offs all build on; its first three seasons are the classic era. Watch the theatrical films in release order: The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004), Sponge Out of Water (2015), Sponge on the Run (2020) and Search for SquarePants (2025). Kamp Koral is a prequel about SpongeBob as a kid, and the Netflix films about Sandy and Plankton are optional side stories.

How many SpongeBob movies and shows are there?

There are 9 titles in the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise: 6 films and 3 series, released from 1999 to 2025.

How long does it take to watch all the SpongeBob movies?

About 203 hours for all 9 titles, counting every episode. The essentials only (5 titles) take about 154 hours.

What is the first SpongeBob title in chronological order?

Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years, set in SpongeBob at age 10. In release order the first is SpongeBob SquarePants (1999).

Which SpongeBob titles can I skip?

Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years, The Patrick Star Show, Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, and Plankton: The Movie. They are spin-offs, side stories or non-canon entries; the main story holds without them.