New 'Search for SquarePants' Image Puts Mr. Krabs and the Crew in Full Pirate Mode
There's a new look at The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, and it's pure holiday-season comfort. Picture this: Mr. Krabs, Squidward, and Gary the snail decked out like they're about to raid the seven seas - all to keep SpongeBob out of trouble. You can almost hear Squidward sighing already.
The film hits theaters December 19, right before Christmas, and it leans into classic SpongeBob chaos with a bigger canvas. The setup is simple and kind of sweet - SpongeBob wants to prove he's a "big guy (movies and tv series)" at work, so he chases the Flying Dutchman (movies and tv series) all the way to the Underworld. And because that's a dangerous plan for, well, anyone, Mr. Krabs dusts off the old pirate gear and heads after him, with Squidward and Gary in tow.
What's Actually New Here
This is the sixth movie in the growing SpongeBob cinematic lineup, following the Netflix spin-off Plankton: The Movie earlier this year. The difference this time is scale without losing the silliness. That's the promise, anyway.
Director Derek Drymon (movies and tv series) put it plainly: he wanted a movie "you come to where you really can laugh, and you can enjoy it" with the whole family. He also teased "big cinematic moments," but made sure to say the heart of it stays the same: "we're taking moments, taking time for SpongeBob and Patrick to do their silly stuff" inside a larger adventure.
Who's On Board
- Returning cast: Tom Kenny (movies and tv series), Clancy Brown (movies and tv series), Rodger Bumpass (movies and tv series), Bill Fagerbakke (movies and tv series), Carolyn Lawrence (movies and tv series), and Mr. Lawrence (movies and tv series).
- New voices: George Lopez (movies and tv series), Isis "Ice Spice" Gaston, Arturo Castro (movies and tv series), Sherry Cola (movies and tv series), and Regina Hall (movies and tv series).
- The Flying Dutchman: previously voiced by Brian Doyle-Murray (movies and tv series), now played by Mark Hamill (movies and tv series) - who's aiming to make kids "hate his guts" in the best villain way.
- Behind the scenes: Directed by SpongeBob veteran Derek Drymon; co-written by Pam Brady (movies and tv series) and Matt Lieberman, from a story by Brady, Marc Ceccarelli, and Kaz.
The Image Everyone's Talking About
The exclusive still does a lot with a little. Mr. Krabs looks like he never really retired the pirate act, Squidward has that "I can't believe I signed up for this" energy, and Gary - yes, Gary - is ready like a tiny, stoic first mate. It's playful, familiar, and a reminder that the show's visual humor still hits without a line of dialogue.
And honestly, that's the point. The best SpongeBob bits are small, specific, and weirdly heartfelt. If the image is a hint, we're getting plenty of that - just bigger, louder, and with more sea fog.
Why This Could Click Over the Holidays
Families want something everyone can sit through without bargaining for snacks. This looks like that. Big set pieces for the kids (movies and tv series), layered jokes for the grown-ups, and a warm streak of friendship running through the chaos.
There's also the comfort factor. Stephen Hillenburg (movies and tv series)'s spirit still hovers over these characters - the innocence, the earnestness, the dumb jokes that sneak up on you. Drymon's comments suggest they know that's the magic, and they're not messing with it.
What to Watch For
- How Mark Hamill shapes the Flying Dutchman - a familiar character with a fresh edge.
- Whether the "big guy" storyline gives SpongeBob something real to prove, not just a punchline.
- Those "big cinematic moments" Drymon teased, without losing the small, goofy beats.
If you want a quick refresher on the core crew and why this world still works, Nickelodeon's official page is a decent start. Visit the SpongeBob hub.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants lands in theaters December 19. Feels like the kind of thing that'll pack early shows with kids and late shows with nostalgic friends who swear they're "just going for the Dutchman." Sure.
