The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run
Movie, 2020, The films, Set in The Lost City of Atlantic City
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run is #4 of 9 in release order and #5 of 9 in chronological order in the SpongeBob SquarePants.
The story
When his best friend Gary is suddenly snatched away, SpongeBob takes Patrick on a madcap mission far beyond Bikini Bottom to save their pink-shelled pal.
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run recap
Plankton decides SpongeBob is the real reason he can never steal the Krabby Patty formula, so he needs him out of town. In the Lost City of Atlantic City, the vain King Poseidon uses snail slime to keep his skin smooth and wants a new snail, so Plankton kidnaps Gary and sends him there. SpongeBob and Patrick set off to rescue him in a car driven by Otto, a robot Sandy built. On the way they meet Sage, a tumbleweed spirit, in a dream western town, where they free a saloon full of zombie pirates from the cowboy demon El Diablo and Sage gives them a Challenge Coin he says will make them brave. In Atlantic City they ignore Sage's warnings, party all night, and get thrown in Poseidon's dungeon when they try to take Gary. Back home, the Krusty Krab falls apart without SpongeBob, and a guilty Plankton sets out with Mr. Krabs, Squidward and Sandy to save him.
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run ending explained
SpongeBob's friends reach Poseidon's show just before his execution and tell stories of how they met him at summer camp as kids, then stage a musical number while they grab Gary. Cornered, SpongeBob refuses to give up Gary even to save himself, and Poseidon admits he has no real friends. SpongeBob offers to be one, Poseidon drops his disguise and lets them take Gary home, and his other snails go free with them.
Where to watch The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run is streaming on Paramount+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 5.9/10, Rotten Tomatoes 66%
Where it fits
- Release order: after The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, before Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years.
- Chronological order: after The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, before The Patrick Star Show.
What to watch before The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run
In release order, the essentials before The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020) are SpongeBob SquarePants (1999), The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004), and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015).
Cast
- Tom Kenny as SpongeBob SquarePants / Gary the Snail (voice)
- Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick Star (voice)
- Rodger Bumpass as Squidward Tentacles (voice)
- Mr. Lawrence as Plankton (voice)
- Keanu Reeves as Sage
- Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs (voice)
- Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy Cheeks (voice)
- Matt Berry as King Poseidon (voice)
- Jill Talley as Karen (voice)
- Mary Jo Catlett as Mrs. Puff (voice)
- Awkwafina as Otto (voice)
- Snoop Dogg as The Gambler
Directed by Tim Hill.