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Scaredy Sponge

Animated scene showing SpongeBob SquarePants dressed as a pirate beside Patrick Star, who wears a hook and eye patch. A small inset photo shows a smiling man, and a TIME for Kids Kid Reporter badge appears in the corner.
PARAMOUNT PICTURES 2025; INSET: MICHAEL TULLBERG—FILMMAGIC

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is the newest film in the Bikini Bottom universe. It hit theaters last month.

SpongeBob is growing up. He’s trying to face his fears. He wants to be seen as a brave “big guy.” That quest leads him and Patrick to the Flying Dutchman. The ghostly pirate has bad intentions.

Director Derek Drymon thinks audiences will understand how SpongeBob feels. “You get to a certain age and can now do the thing you wanted to do. But you’re scared to do it,” he told TFK. This fear is totally normal, Drymon says: “It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”