The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants Review

A Pirate Adventure That Still Feels Like Bikini Bottom

If you skipped The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants in theaters, here’s the good news: it’s available to buy or rent on digital starting January 20, 2026. And honestly, that’s a pretty perfect way to watch this one. It plays like a big, bright SpongeBob “event episode” with a little extra spectacle, a few louder laughs, and just enough weirdness to remind you why this franchise has stayed lovable for so long.

This is the fourth SpongeBob theatrical movie, and it knows the assignment. It is silly, fast, and proud of it. The story kicks off with SpongeBob trying to prove he’s a “big guy” in the way only SpongeBob would take literally. That push for validation sets him and Patrick on a swashbuckling path that pulls in the Flying Dutchman, a spooky underworld detour, and the kind of chaotic side quests that feel like they were designed to keep kids laughing while parents catch the occasional joke aimed at them.

The Setup: Simple, Silly, and Built for Momentum

The plot is not trying to be complicated. SpongeBob wants to level up in his own mind, things go sideways, and the adventure escalates into pirate-flavored madness. That simplicity is a strength because the movie moves. It rarely sits still long enough to overthink itself, which is exactly what you want from a SpongeBob movie when it’s firing on all cylinders.

There’s also a nice little throughline about courage, growing up, and not letting insecurity drive the bus. It’s not deep, but it’s sincere. SpongeBob works best when the emotional core is simple and honest, surrounded by absolute nonsense.

The Humor: More Hits Than Misses

The comedy here is very “classic SpongeBob,” just scaled up. Expect quick visual gags, wordplay, and a steady stream of absurd moments that feel like they came from the show’s DNA rather than a committee trying to modernize it. When it’s funny, it’s the kind of funny that lands for multiple ages at once.

That said, the pacing can get a little episodic. The movie sometimes feels like it’s bouncing from one bit to the next instead of building to a truly unforgettable run of set pieces. If you’re expecting the kind of lightning-in-a-bottle weirdness the franchise occasionally nails, this one is closer to “consistently enjoyable” than “instant classic.”

Mark Hamill’s Flying Dutchman Is a Cheat Code

The standout voice work is easy to spot. Tom Kenny is still the heart of the whole operation, and the core cast remains a comfort blanket for longtime fans. But Mark Hamill as the Flying Dutchman brings the kind of theatrical energy that makes every scene he’s in feel bigger. He leans into the character’s over-the-top menace and showmanship in a way that fits SpongeBob perfectly.

There’s also a fun boost from the newer characters in the mix, including Regina Hall’s addition to the pirate chaos. The movie’s best stretches tend to happen when it lets the villains and weird side characters turn the story into a carnival.

The Look: Polished, but the Style Debate Is Real

Visually, Search for SquarePants is clean and bright, with a modern CG approach that keeps things smooth and cinematic. It works, and it’s easy to watch. But if you’re someone who loves the rougher, more elastic feel of classic SpongeBob animation, you might miss a bit of that “anything can happen” texture. Some gags feel like they would hit harder with the older, more hand-crafted chaos.

Still, the movie does a nice job giving Bikini Bottom and the underworld sequences their own personality. When it commits to going strange, it looks great doing it.

Is It Worth the Digital Rental?

Yeah, especially if your goal is a fun family movie night that does not demand homework. It’s short, it’s lively, and it delivers the comfort-food version of SpongeBob without feeling lazy. It may not top the best moments of the franchise’s theatrical history, but it does what a SpongeBob movie should do: keep the energy up, keep the jokes coming, and leave you with that slightly goofy grin by the end.

If you grew up on SpongeBob, you’ll probably enjoy the familiarity. If you’re putting it on for kids, it’s an easy win. And if you just want something light after a long day, watching SpongeBob and Patrick stumble into pirate underworld trouble is about as low-stress as it gets.