The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (2025) Movie Review

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (2025) Movie Review: Same Old Humor

It’s been a while since we last watched anything from the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise and without dating ourselves, probably two decades or more. So it came as a genuine surprise to see that the same brand of humor we remembered growing up still manages to make a new generation laugh. However crude some of the jokes may be, the comedy remains effective, and The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants offers bucketloads of it for viewers of all ages.

Eager to prove that he’s more than just “small,” SpongeBob sets out on a daring quest to impress Mr. Krabs by joining the mysterious Flying Dutchman. To earn his place as a true swashbuckler, he must face a series of dangerous trials and blow the Dutchman’s horn sending him into the deepest and most unfamiliar parts of the sea.

In 2026, we didn’t expect to enjoy a SpongeBob movie, but here we are. The film retains the franchise’s signature charm with a much-needed update with its crisp and vibrant visuals. Surprisingly, having the familiar look and vibe of the original television series in some segments was something we didn't expect to like on the big screen. The narrative is as simple as it gets, but this is a kids’ movie, and it delivers exactly what it sets out to do. Our kids certainly appreciated the straightforward storytelling more than we did.

What truly stood out was the humor, which transported us back to the same carefree viewing experience we had growing up. It’s silly, nonsensical fun which is brainless and entirely guilt-free. There isn’t much more to dissect here, because the film is unapologetically what it is. Either you embrace SpongeBob’s unique brand of quirkiness, or you don’t and that alone should be your deciding factor in giving this film a watch or not.

 

Rating: 3 reels