Search for SquarePants’ OK for little kids?
Here’s what Moms and Dads need to know about the ‘Search for SquarePants.’
‘Search for SquarePants’ trailer finds SpongeBob in the Underworld
SpongeBob SquarePants (voiced by Tom Kenny) is taken to the Underworld by the Flying Dutchman (Mark Hamill) in the animated comedy “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.”
- The new “SpongeBob Movie” arrives in theaters Friday, Dec. 19.
- There’s a fair amount of bathroom humor and some scary images of a zombie sailing crew and Underworld monsters.
- Parents will appreciate the abbreviated length of “Search for SquarePants”: 88 minutes!
Kids of all ages know you have to go to a pineapple under the sea to find SpongeBob SquarePants. And in his new movie, the little yellow dude travels to uncharted territory: the Underworld!
The animated comedy “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” (in theaters Dec. 19) teams best friends SpongeBob (voiced by Tom Kenny) and Patrick Star (Bill Fagerbakke) on a quest full of bravery and silliness that finds them facing the campy villainy of a cursed pirate, the Flying Dutchman (Mark Hamill). Old pals such as SpongeBob’s boss, Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown), and grouchy neighbor Squidward (Rodger Bumpass) also return for the family-friendly fun.
But is the new “SpongeBob Movie” OK for the youngest fans of all things Bikini Bottom? Here’s what Moms and Dads need to know about the latest “SquarePants” outing:
What is ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’ about?
SpongeBob wakes up one morning and is excited to find out he’s finally 36 clams tall – which means he’s finally a “big guy” and can ride the roller coaster at Captain Booty Beard’s Fun Park. However, Mr. Krabs reminds SpongeBob that height alone doesn’t make one a big guy. SpongeBob decides that he wants to earn a “swashbuckler certificate” like his boss, and our hero winds up conjuring the ghostly ship of the Flying Dutchman.
The malevolent buccaneer has been in search of a pure, innocent soul to break his curse, and he takes SpongeBob and Patrick on board for a trip to the Underworld and a series of adventurous trials facing monsters and other obstacles. Meanwhile, Mr. Krabs, Squidward and Gary the Snail hop in a car and go on a rescue mission to save SpongeBob from a watery fate.
What is the age rating of the latest ‘SpongeBob’ movie?
“Search for SquarePants” is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association “for rude humor, action and some scary images.” There are some poop and pee jokes, plus a running gag involving bricks falling out of characters’ behinds, and also a couple of playful euphemisms (“We’re in deep shrimp,” “son of a perch”). The roller coaster takes SpongeBob and Patrick on quite a harrowing ride, and a bunch of freaky monsters with big eyes and sharp teeth populate the Underworld.
How long is the new ‘SpongeBob’ movie?
The film runs a tight 88 minutes, which is good news for parents as well as youngsters who can’t sit still for long periods of time.
Is Ice Spice in the new ‘SpongeBob’ movie?
She is! Isis “Ice Spice” Gaston plays a bored ticket taker that SpongeBob talks with to see if he’s big enough to ride the roller coaster. The rapper also contributes the single “Big Guy,” which plays during the movie and is part of the soundtrack.
Other cameos include George Lopez as movie executive JK Fishlips and Regina Hall as Barb, the Flying Dutchman’s second-in-command.
Does ‘SpongeBob’ have any inappropriate scenes for little ones?
Patrick wearing an eye patch as a thong is disturbing for everybody on many levels. But overall, the movie’s fairly harmless for even small youngsters. All the “scary” aspects, like the Flying Dutchman’s zombie sailing crew, are pretty cartoonish and played for laughs. And though the giant, snarling Underworld monsters might seem icky and eerie at first, that feeling goes away when a couple of them start making out. There’s an underlying message of being ready for the next stage of growing up that’s cool for kids, Hamill makes for a charming baddie, and SpongeBob is as goofy as ever.
How many ‘SpongeBob’ movies are there?
“Search for SquarePants” is the fourth, following 2004’s “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie,” 2015’s “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water,” and 2021’s “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run.” All three are streaming on Paramount+, as are 14 seasons of the “SpongeBob SquarePants” TV series. So, lots to watch over the holiday break for the kiddos if they’re into it.
Where can I watch the new ‘SpongeBob’ movie?
The film is in theaters Dec. 19. The latest “SpongeBob” adventure will likely be available as video on demand in late January, to be followed by a Paramount+ release probably a month later.
