Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies are bringing fans back to Bikini Bottom with The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, hitting U.S. theaters on December 19, 2025. The latest adventure promises laughs, heart, and star-studded voice talent.
In the film, SpongeBob sets out to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs by tracking down the Flying Dutchman, a ghostly pirate, diving into the deepest parts of the ocean where no sponge has gone before.
Hall voices Barb, a brand-new character created for the film. Barb is a green ghost fish who serves as the first mate to the Flying Dutchman, guiding SpongeBob and Patrick through the eerie “underworld” sections of their journey. In her featurette, Hall describes Barb as a tough, no-nonsense spirit with “one eye and bad teeth,” bringing both grit and humor to SpongeBob’s biggest quest yet.
Alongside franchise favorites Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy), and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton), the film features Regina Hall as Barb, Mark Hamill as the Flying Dutchman, and voice performances by George Lopez, Arturo Castro, Sherry Cola, and Ice Spice, who also performs an original track, “Big Guy.”
Regina Hall and George Lopez recently shared insights about bringing their characters to life in newly released featurettes, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the voice acting process.
Directed by Derek Drymon, from a screenplay by Pam Brady and Matt Lieberman, the story is crafted alongside series creatives Marc Ceccarelli and Kaz. Producers Lisa Stewart, Pam Brady, and Aaron Dem lead the production, with executive producers Marc Ceccarelli, Vincent Waller, Pete Chiappetta, Anthony Tittanegro, and Andrew Lary.
Rated PG for rude humor, mild language, and some thematic elements, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants delivers fun for kids and nostalgia for longtime fans.