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SpongeBob SquarePants

SpongeBob SquarePants

Be there and be square!

1999–Ongoing17 seasonsRenewedSeason 18 upcoming363 episodes~23 min/epTV-Y7Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

Deep down in the Pacific Ocean in the subterranean city of Bikini Bottom lives a square yellow sponge named SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob lives in a pineapple with his pet snail, Gary, loves his job as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab, and has a knack for getting into all kinds of trouble without really trying. When he's not getting on the nerves of his cranky next door neighbor Squidward, SpongeBob can usually be found smack in the middle of all sorts of strange situations with his best buddy, the simple yet lovable starfish, Patrick, or his thrill-seeking surfer-girl squirrel pal, Sandy Cheeks.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch SpongeBob SquarePants?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists SpongeBob SquarePants streaming on Paramount+ and Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Rent / Buy

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Highlights

What stands out about SpongeBob SquarePants?

SpongeBob SquarePants earns 8 badges, led by Universally Loved and Top 10% in Animation.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Cast

Reception

Is SpongeBob SquarePants worth watching?

SpongeBob SquarePants' Midcredits score is the 88th percentile of all shows, from 136K ratings across 4 sources. 88% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

88th percentile

Better received than 88% of shows

90th percentile among Animation81st percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)82nd
Approval (how many liked it)89th

Acclaim

Universally Loved: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

78 /100

82nd percentile of all shows

85th percentile among Animation75th percentile among 1990s

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

Approval

How many liked it

88% liked it

89th percentile of all shows

92nd percentile among Animation86th percentile among 1990s
88% rated it 7–1012% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

91st percentile

135K ratings across platforms

91st percentile among Animation84th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 23% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both fans and detractors agree the show's golden era was the first three seasons, after which quality noticeably declined.

Fans praised

  • hilarious and clever humor that appeals to all ages
  • memorable and endearing characters with distinct personalities
  • creative and original premise set in imaginative underwater world

Detractors panned

  • sharp decline in quality after season 3, with lazy writing and gross-out humor
  • characters become one-dimensional caricatures—SpongeBob annoyingly shrill, Patrick dumber, Mr. Krabs greedier

What stands out

HumorDivisive82

clever wit and slapstick in early seasons; later reliance on gross-out and random humor

OriginalityDivisive78

fresh, surreal underwater concept in early years; later recycled plots

AtmosphereDivisive78

vibrant, immersive world of Bikini Bottom remains appealing

Sound and musicDivisive78

catchy theme song and effective background music; later seasons criticized for overwhelming sound design

CharactersDivisive75

iconic, relatable personalities in early seasons; later reduced to annoying stereotypes

DialogueDivisive72

witty, quotable lines in early seasons; later becomes lazy and forced

Plot and storyDivisive65

creative, well-structured stories early; later predictable and repetitive

Emotional impactDivisive60

genuine heart and lessons in early seasons; later becomes joyless and mean-spirited

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 15 points higher than women.

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Under-30s

Under-30s scored it 14 points higher than over-30s.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Users

Users scored it 18 points higher than critics.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US even

Episodes

17 seasons

Season 17 · 2026 · 26 episodes

  • S17E1

    Kiss of the Nematode

    Jun 12, 202611 min
  • S17E2

    Brainless Brawn

    Jun 12, 202611 min
  • S17E3

    Home Away from Home

    Jun 19, 202611 min
  • S17E4

    SpongeBob SpareParts

    Jun 19, 202611 min
  • S17E5

    The Lady in the Lighthouse

    Jun 26, 202611 min
  • S17E6

    Bitter Groans and Gardens

    Jun 26, 202611 min

Watch experience

What is SpongeBob SquarePants like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, light and gentle — an even-paced watch that leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
JoyfulAbsurdWarm
Heaviest: throughout
Absurdist humor: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Register
PlayfulAbsurdist · 6% of shows: Deliberately illogical; embraces nonsense.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Resets each episode · 10% of showsStatus quo each season
ToneThe show plays its absurd underwater world completely straight, never winking at the audience, making its cheerfully ridiculous antics feel earnest rather than ironic.
The rideThe series maintains a consistently light, joyful, and warmly absurd mood across its run, rarely deviating into sustained tension or darkness.
StructureAlmost every episode follows a classic beginning-middle-end structure, with an opening situation, a middle of escalating comic conflict, and a resolved ending.
Episode formatEach episode is a self-contained comedic story with the status quo restored by the end, typical of a classic sitcom format.
Season formatSeasons are interchangeable batches of episodes with no overarching arc; the show's premise and character dynamics remain consistent throughout.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe show leaves viewers grinning from its absurd, good-hearted antics and the warm chemistry between its characters.
How it ends · evidence
Cyclical ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).ComedyFarce
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12% (this title): Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% (this title) · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Farce: Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).

12% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA typical episode follows SpongeBob's well-intentioned but misguided actions that snowball into escalating absurd chaos, fitting the farce subtype of comedy. The show's sitcom-reset structure means each episode is a self-contained chain of hilarious mishaps.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfFriendship
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31% (this title): Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% (this title) · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% (this title) · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% (this title) · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Bonds

FriendshipCommunity: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Ambition · 14% of shows
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeAt its heart, the series celebrates SpongeBob's unwavering optimism and his deep friendships with Patrick and others, set against a quirky underwater community.
StanceThe show celebrates friendship and community through SpongeBob's unwavering optimism and the bonds he forms, with stakes that rarely exceed personal mishaps.

The world

TimelessUrbanDomesticInstitutionalFantasy
Orchestral modernPopSupportive music · original score
Settingthe underwater town of Bikini Bottom, centered on the Krusty Krab restaurant
MusicThe iconic theme song and original score by the show's crew (not a single named composer) are instantly recognizable and perfectly match the whimsical tone.

Content guide

Is SpongeBob SquarePants okay for kids?

TV-Y7

SpongeBob SquarePants is rated TV-Y7. As of October 18, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (44/100), sexual content at mild (33/100), language at mild (27/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (18/100) and frightening material at moderate (56/100). Overall it is heavier than 75% of TV-Y7 shows.

Ratings in 42 other countries
  • UKU
  • CanadaG
  • AustraliaG
  • Germany6
  • FranceTP
  • IrelandG
  • New ZealandG
  • South KoreaALL
  • Brazil12
  • ArgentinaSAM 13
  • Austria8
  • Belgium6
  • CLI7
  • Czechia7+
  • DenmarkA
  • FinlandK7
  • GreeceK
  • Hungary6
  • IDSU
  • IndiaU
  • IsraelG
  • ItalyT
  • MexicoA
  • MYU
  • Netherlands6
  • Norway6
  • PhilippinesG
  • Poland7
  • PortugalT
  • PRTV-Y7
  • ROUnrated
  • Russia6+
  • SingaporeG
  • South AfricaPG
  • Spain7
  • SwedenFrån 7 år
  • Switzerland12
  • Taiwan0+
  • THท
  • TürkiyeGenel İzleyici
  • UA12+
  • VITV-Y7
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 27% of all showsHeavier than 75% of TV-Y7 shows
Violence & Gore
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-Y7 show
heavier than 68%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a TV-Y7 show
heavier than 77%
Profanity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-Y7 show
heavier than 72%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
typical for a TV-Y7 show
heavier than 65%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a TV-Y7 show
heavier than 84%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is frightening material, heavier than 84% of TV-Y7 shows.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does SpongeBob SquarePants have?

MovieCove's classifier found 8 depicted content warnings in SpongeBob SquarePants: Animal cruelty (moderate), Animal death (moderate), Kidnapping or confinement (moderate), Child abuse (mild), Self-harm (mild), Sexual harassment or grooming (mild), Suicide (mild), plus 1 withheld here because it would spoil the plot. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

ModerateAnimal crueltyAnimal deathKidnapping or confinement
MildChild abuseSelf-harmSexual harassment or groomingSuicide

Cast and crew

Who is in SpongeBob SquarePants?

Cast

Tom Kenny
as SpongeBob
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Rodger Bumpass
as Squidward
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Bill Fagerbakke
as Patrick Star
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Clancy Brown
as Mr. Krabs
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Mr. Lawrence
as Plankton
Emmy nominee: Primetime Emmy nomination — Outstanding Short-Format Animated Program
Dee Bradley Baker
as Bubble Bass
newcomer then · star now
Carolyn Lawrence
as Sandy
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Jill Talley
as Karen
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Sirena Irwin
as Lady Fish
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Mary Jo Catlett
as Mrs. Puff
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.

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