SpongeBob SquarePants: Sponge Out of Water Takes Fourth Place in US Box Office Debut

The fourth feature-length installment in the beloved franchise, SpongeBob SquarePants: Sponge Out of Water, has hit theaters, marking another significant cinematic event stemming from the creation of Stephen Hillenburg. Released widely in the United States on December 19, 2025, under the banner of Paramount Pictures, this film continues the cinematic journey that began back in 2004. Derek Drymon, a veteran of the franchise who previously directed 'Hotel Transylvania 4' and contributed to the screenplay of the original 2004 movie, took the helm as director for this latest adventure.

The core voice cast, bringing Bikini Bottom’s residents to life, has returned to their iconic roles. This includes Tom Kenny as SpongeBob, Bill Fagerbakke voicing Patrick Star, and Clancy Brown reprising his role as Mr. Krabs. A notable addition to the lineup is Mark Hamill, who steps in to voice the enigmatic ghost pirate, the Flying Dutchman, taking over the role from Brian Doyle-Murray. The film’s narrative centers on SpongeBob’s quest to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs, a mission that spirals into a perilous expedition alongside the Flying Dutchman deep into the ocean’s mysterious depths, known as the Underworld. The screenplay, penned by Pam Brady and Matt Lieberman, based on a story by Mark Sichel, Kaz, and Brady, successfully maintains the signature humor and warmth characteristic of the original television series.

Critical reception for the picture has been generally favorable, with reviewers acknowledging its success in capturing the spirit of the source material. Particular praise was directed toward the highly detailed animation, which surpasses that seen in the television show, and its thoughtful exploration of themes related to maturation. The movie moves at a brisk pace, featuring the quick, whimsical chase sequences that Drymon is known for employing. The runtime clocks in at 1 hour and 28 minutes, and it has been assigned a G rating for general audiences.

The year 2025 proved to be quite busy for the SpongeBob universe. 'Sponge Out of Water' premiered in the same year as another related project, 'Plankton Movie,' which debuted on Netflix on March 7, 2025. Interestingly, the new feature was initially conceived as a streaming-exclusive project, with a primary focus on Mr. Krabs. However, after reviewing the initial script drafts, Paramount executives made the strategic decision to pivot toward a full-scale theatrical release starring SpongeBob himself. The musical score for the film was composed by John Debney, who also worked on 'The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water' in 2015; the soundtrack officially arrived on December 19, 2025.

Despite being positioned as a major animated release, the film garnered 16 million dollars during its opening weekend across North America, securing the fourth spot at the domestic box office. It trailed behind major releases such as 'Avatar: The Ash of War,' 'The Housekeeper,' and Angel Studios’ 'David.' Initial worldwide earnings reports also totaled 16 million dollars, with the first day of release, inclusive of Thursday previews, bringing in 6 million dollars. This particular entry holds significance as it marks the first main franchise film produced without the direct involvement of creator Stephen Hillenburg. Furthermore, it is the first feature film in the series to omit the characters Karen and the Krusty Krab restaurant, and notably, it contains no musical numbers.