The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is expected to be the next big animated title coming from Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Animation. It is the fourth film to hit the big screen after a five-year gap since the last SpongeBob run, and the initial reactions at the festivals praise this film for returning to the classic undersea adventures.The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, a film featuring more series veterans along with new cast members, had a premiere at the AFI Film Festival in October 2025.The film is directed by Derek Drymon, who is not only a creative force from the SpongeBob SquarePants series but also has been part of the same universe for a long time.The screenplay of the film is written by Pam Brady and Matt Lieberman, and the story with Marc Ceccarelli and Kaz. It is a collaboration of various generations of the show’s creative team. Distributed by Paramount Pictures, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is a big end-of-the-year release.The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants premieres in U.S. theaters on December 19, 2025, featuring the returning SpongeBob voice cast alongside George Lopez, Ice Spice, Regina Hall, Sherry Cola, Arturo Castro, and Mark Hamill.When and where is The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants releasing? View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is set to hit theaters in the United States on December 19, 2025. Paramount Pictures is the distributor for the film. It was one of the closing films of the AFI Film Festival, and therefore, it was screened on October 26, 2025, prior to its widespread release.Paramount's confidence in the project is clearly indicated by this premiere. The film had its original release date set for May 2025, but it has now been moved to December due to scheduling being affected by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and the reshuffling of other Paramount titles.Besides the theatrical release of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, there will also be releases of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey. The music is by John Debney, after scoring Sponge Out of Water, and it also features an original song titled Big Guy by Ice Spice.Read More: Paramount launches hostile takeover bid to stop Netflix-Warner Bros. mergerWhat is The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants about and who stars in it?The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (Image via Paramount Pictures)It is a story where SpongeBob, after he had tried to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs, goes into the depths of the ocean. As a result of this quest, he meets the Flying Dutchman, thus creating the main conflict of the narrative.The concept is to maintain the series’ brand of blending heroic storytelling with comedic characters, while also elaborating on the lore of the Flying Dutchman. The film has the primary voice actors from the SpongeBob SquarePants series.Besides Tom Kenny's return as SpongeBob and Gary, there are Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs; Rodger Bumpass as Squidward; Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick; Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy; and Mr. Lawrence as Plankton.The film features a new cast, including George Lopez, Ice Spice, Arturo Castro, Sherry Cola, and Regina Hall, with Hall voicing Barb. Replacement for Brian Doyle-Murray as the Flying Dutchman, Mark Hamill, is coming on board.Work on the movie began after the official announcement of the film in 2022, and Derek Drymon was confirmed as director in the following year.Production on the movie is a collaboration between Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon Movies, Domain Entertainment, and MRC; hence, the franchise must continue the well-known cross-studio production model.Read More: Jacob Elordi becomes a first-time Golden Globe nominee as Frankenstein (2025) secures 5 nominationsThe movie is set to release on December 19, 2025.