20-Year Celebration of The Spongebob Squarepants Movie!

The sponge who lives underwater in a pineapple will save the day!

The Spongebob Squarepants Movie splashed into theaters in 2004. Spongebob’s most anticipated day is shattered when Mr. Krabs gives managerial promotion to Squidward. Determined to prove that he’s not just a kid, Spongebob and Patrick go on a daring mission to retrieve King Neptune’s stolen crown in the forbidden Shell City.

Has it really been 20 years since I watched The Spongebob Squarepants Movie in theaters? As a kid, I always sang along the moment the Spongebob theme song started. My inner kid wanted to revisit this hilarious movie, so I sat down and was hit by nostalgia. The film remains a hilarious gem for its whimsical comedy, adventure, and message about courage.

Spongebob is a quirky, fun-loving, and optimistic sea creature. This time, the yellow sponge needs to prove to others that he is more than a goofball. Spongebob’s best friend, Patrick joins him on his journey where all sorts of mayhem and friendship moments occur.

The movie is the best representation of their friendship, also showcasing Patrick at his best before the series ruined his character. Patrick is not the brightest starfish, but there is more to him than that.

Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke made an excellent voice team for the duo. The rest of the voice cast for Spongebob includes Roger Bumpass, Clancy Brown, Mr. Lawrence, Carolyn Lawrence, and Jill Talley in their respective roles.

New credits include Jeffrey Tambor, Scarlett Johanson, and Alec Baldwin. There’s also a special appearance by David Hasselhoff, playing himself. An 11-foot figure of Hasselhoff was built to make certain scenes easier to film. The actors accepted their roles on behalf of their love for the show. The ensemble of pirates was a creative way to start the film. Speaking of which, why wasn’t Patchy the Pirate in this segment?

The late Stephen Hillenberg and the Spongebob team created a wacky adventure, supplied with clever twists and turns. Hillenburg was involved in every detail, ensuring the humor stayed sharp, the characters remained as lovable as ever, and the story’s moral was delivered with SpongeBob's signature quirky flair.

I had no idea what to expect when I was nine. Writers added lively songs to the feature. My dad’s car used to have a DVD player and I would replay Spongebob and Patrick’s ‘Now That We’re Men’ song constantly. Who could forget the rocking song, ‘I’m a Goofy Goober?’’

Now let’s talk about the nautical world’s animation. The animation is as energetic as ever. Animators studied oceanography for this film to make a solid representation of the ocean. This was the last animated feature to use traditional animation. I wish this style would return because it breathes more life than digital animation.

As Spongebob and Patrick cruise along in their oversized patty wagon, the animators create a variety of vibrant underwater locations, even wandering onto the sandy beaches.

Hillenberg loved making audiences laugh. The Spongebob Squarepants Movie has an unforgettable message. Don’t let go of your inner kid in adulthood. Spongebob is happy to be who he is.

The Spongebob Squarepants Movie holds a special place in my heart. My late aunt LOVED Spongebob. I always remember the day I watched it with her. I counted down from 10 perfectly timing it with the first time Hasselhoff appeared on the screen. Movies build memories.

This movie was originally intended to end the series, but fans wanted more. It went on longer than it should have, but The Spongebob Squarepants Movie is forever a childhood treasure.