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New ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’ Image Dresses Mr. Krabs and the Gang for Swashbuckling Adventure [Exclusive]

November 13, 2025

Nickelodeon’s favorite yellow sponge is about to go where no sponge has gone before. The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants will arrive in theaters just before Christmas on December 19, sending Tom Kenny‘s relentlessly optimistic sea creature on a swashbuckling adventure to the deepest reaches of the ocean. Before he sets sail, however, we’re excited to spotlight some of his friends as part of Collider’s Exclusive Preview event for upcoming winter film and television titles. Our new image sees Mr. Krabs, Squidward, and even Gary the snail dressed up in pirate attire in preparation for the journey ahead.

Search for SquarePants is the sixth movie in the wider SpongeBob SquarePants cinematic universe, following the Netflix spin-off Plankton: The Movie earlier this year. This big new adventure follows SpongeBob’s desperate attempts to be a “big guy” and prove his mettle to his boss at the Krusty Krab. To show his bravery, he follows the mysterious ghost pirate, The Flying Dutchman, on a voyage to the deepest depths of the deep sea — the Underworld. Realizing the danger of his #1 employee’s plan, Mr. Krabs gathers Gary and Squidward, dusts off his old swashbuckling gear, and follows them to ensure the sponge isn’t in over his head.

All of SpongeBob‘s regular cast will be back for this sea-faring comedy adventure, including Kenny, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, and Mr. Lawrence. However, Search for SquarePants also boasts enough extra celebrity talent to fill out an entire pirate crew. George Lopez, Isis “Ice Spice” Gaston, Arturo Castro, Sherry Cola, and Regina Hall are all on board for the ride, with the Flying Dutchman, played in the series by Brian Doyle-Murray, now being voiced by Mark Hamill, who’s determined to make children “hate his guts” with his villainy. SpongeBob veteran and Hotel Transylvania 4 co-director Derek Drymon directed the film, which was co-written by South Park alum Pam Brady and Free Guy scribe Matt Lieberman, with a story by Brady alongside Marc Ceccarelli and Kaz.

‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’ Doesn’t Lack for Jokes

In building on the globally popular SpongeBob and carrying on the legacy of the show’s creator, Stephen Hillenburg, Drymon sought to make a movie “you come to where you really can laugh, and you can enjoy it” with the whole family. In an interview with Collider’s Steve Weintraub, he teased that he most wanted to translate the jokes and whimsy that have made the innocent sponge and his friends so iconic, while still providing a little flair for the big screen. “There are big cinematic moments in it, which are nice,” he added. “In the long form, you can do things that are bigger than you can do in a short. Still, we’re taking moments, taking time for SpongeBob and Patrick to do their silly stuff within this big adventure.” If our image is any indication, all of the main residents of Bikini Bottom will get a chance to shine and split sides throughout the pirate-themed ride.

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants sails into theaters on December 19. Check out our exclusive image above and stay tuned here at Collider throughout the week for more on the biggest upcoming winter titles to look out for.