The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants Parent Guide

After a recent growth spurt, SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) is finally tall enough to ride the biggest roller coaster in Bikini Bottom, the one that he and his best friend Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke) have been dreaming of for years. But when finally faced with the terrifying coaster, SpongeBob discovers he’s too scared to get on board. Afraid that he’s not as grown up as he thought he was, SpongeBob turns to Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown), who regales him with tales of his younger days adventuring on the Seven Seas with the frightening Flying Dutchman (Mark Hamill).

Hoping that becoming a swashbuckler will help him overcome his fears, SpongeBob joins the crew of the Flying Dutchman and ventures into the Underworld, determined to prove his courage, grit, and intestinal fortitude. But the further he gets into the Underworld, the more SpongeBob starts to suspect that the Flying Dutchman might have an ulterior motive for bringing the ever-positive sponge along.

As a card-carrying Millennial, I consider myself a connoisseur of SpongeBob-related content. The original 2004 flick has a special place in my heart, and I regularly quote some of the best episodes, which I maintain all came from the first four seasons. Though the show has gone downhill steadily over the years, the theatrical releases, of which this is the fourth, have managed to maintain a decent level of quality, and this entry is no exception. Though not reaching the heights of the original, this story hits many of the same beats and messages, making it feel comfortingly familiar for older fans like myself.

The overall message of the story is that being a “swashbuckler” isn’t just about being brave and tough; it’s also about being a good friend and being true to yourself. It’s a sweet message that both parents and children are sure to appreciate. What parents will appreciate less is the persistent potty humor, which is par for the course in this franchise but felt more noticeable in this installment. (It’s also possible that I’m just getting older and crankier). I will also note that the Underworld has scarier imagery than I expected, so parents with sensitive young children should proceed with caution.

Fans of the franchise will be sure to enjoy this newest adventure, and Mark Hamill’s performance as the Flying Dutchman is particularly fun. If you’re a SpongeBob hater, you already know that you won’t like this film, so why are you even reading this review in the first place? Though not a particularly noteworthy entry into the film franchise, Search for SquarePants has enough humor and heart to please its built-in audience.

About author

Savannah Sillito

Savannah Sillito is a librarian with a master's in library science, a bachelor's degree in English, and a certificate in early childhood education. She enjoys nonfiction books, travel, and is a staunch proponent of the Oxford comma.