The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
Movie, 2004, The films, Set in Shell City
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie is #2 of 9 in release order and #3 of 9 in chronological order in the SpongeBob SquarePants.
The story
There's trouble brewing in Bikini Bottom. Someone has stolen King Neptune's crown, and it looks like Mr. Krab, SpongeBob's boss, is the culprit. Though he's just been passed over for the promotion of his dreams, SpongeBob stands by his boss, and along with his best pal Patrick, sets out on a treacherous mission to Shell City to reclaim the crown and save Mr. Krab's life.
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie recap
Mr. Krabs opens the Krusty Krab 2 and names Squidward its manager instead of SpongeBob, calling him just a kid. Plankton puts his Plan Z into action: he steals King Neptune's crown, sends it to Shell City and frames Mr. Krabs, whom Neptune freezes. SpongeBob and Patrick set off in the Patty Wagon to bring the crown back within six days, with help from Neptune's daughter Mindy. While they are away, Plankton steals the formula and sells Krabby Patties with free bucket helmets that turn the town into his mind-controlled slaves. Dennis, a hitman Plankton hires, hunts the pair across the ocean trench. Ready to give up, they gain confidence from fake seaweed moustaches Mindy gives them. In Shell City, a diver they call the Cyclops catches them, and they discover the town is a gift shop that dries out sea creatures.
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie ending explained
SpongeBob and Patrick's tears short out the drying lamp, the sprinklers revive everyone, and they escape with the crown. David Hasselhoff swims them home, and they knock Dennis off along the way. They reach Bikini Bottom just before Neptune executes Mr. Krabs, and when Plankton mind-controls Neptune too, SpongeBob plays "Goofy Goober Rock" on guitar and frees everyone. Plankton is arrested, Mr. Krabs is unfrozen, and SpongeBob is made manager of the Krusty Krab 2.
Post-credits scenes
Yes. After the credits, the live action pirates from the opening are still sitting in the cinema, and an usher tells them they have to leave.
Where to watch The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie is streaming on Prime Video, Paramount+, YouTube (free), and Tubi in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.2/10, Rotten Tomatoes 68%
Where it fits
- Release order: after SpongeBob SquarePants, before The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water.
- Chronological order: after SpongeBob SquarePants, before The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water.
What to watch before The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
SpongeBob SquarePants (1999), which The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004) continues.
Cast
- Tom Kenny as SpongeBob / Narrator / Gary / Various (voice)
- Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs (voice)
- Rodger Bumpass as Squidward / Fish #4 (voice)
- Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick Star / Fish #2 / Chum Customer / Local Fish (voice)
- Mr. Lawrence as Plankton / Fish #7 / Attendant #2 (voice)
- Jill Talley as Karen / Old Lady (voice)
- Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy (voice)
- Mary Jo Catlett as Mrs. Puff (voice)
- Jeffrey Tambor as King Neptune (voice)
- Scarlett Johansson as Mindy (voice)
- Alec Baldwin as Dennis (voice)
- David Hasselhoff as David Hasselhoff
Directed by Stephen Hillenburg.