SpongeBob heads to the underworld in wild new trailer for 'Search for SquarePants'

SpongeBob dives into a new 3D adventure where he faces the Flying Dutchman in a spooky underworld showdown.

SpongeBob SquarePants is back for another big-screen adventure, this time diving into darker waters than ever before. In The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, the beloved Bikini Bottom resident finds himself in the underworld facing off against the ghostly Flying Dutchman.

This marks SpongeBob’s fourth feature film since his television debut in 1999. The upcoming release features a high-stakes journey beneath the sea where SpongeBob must confront the legendary spectral pirate. While the Dutchman has previously been voiced by Brian Doyle-Murray, the film now enlists Mark Hamill for the role, giving the villain a fresh and ominous presence.

The film sticks with the original voice cast including Tom Kenny as SpongeBob, Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick Star, and Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs. Newcomers like Ice Spice, George Lopez, Regina Hall, Arturo Castro, and Sherry Cola will also appear as yet-unnamed characters.

Unlike the show’s 2D animation, Search for SquarePants uses a vivid 3D animation style. The film is directed by Derek Drymon in his feature debut and written by veteran SpongeBob scribes Marc Ceccarelli, Kaz, and Pam Brady. Brady also serves as a producer alongside Lisa Stewart and Aaron Dem.

The story picks up with SpongeBob on a daring mission that blends comedy and creepiness, offering a visual upgrade while staying true to its underwater roots. This is the franchise’s first theatrical release in over a decade, following 2020’s Sponge on the Run, which went straight to streaming.

Paramount will release the film in theaters on December 19, just in time for the holiday season. With its blend of nostalgia, new faces, and bold visuals, this could be SpongeBob’s most daring journey yet.