

It was followed by two sequels, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water in 2015 and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run in 2020. It grossing $140 million worldwide, and was positively welcomed from audience and fans of the series alike. The film had its yellow-carpet premiere at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California on Novemand it was released in the United States on November 19, 2004. The film was widely promoted by Paramount and Nickelodeon, with tie-in promotions made by 7-Eleven, the Cayman Islands, and Burger King, which decorated various of its franchises with 9-foot (2.7 m) SpongeBob inflatable figures.

The film was originally intended to serve as the series finale, but Nickelodeon ordered more episodes of the series as it had become increasingly profitable, so Hillenburg resigned as showrunner, with Tibbitt taking his place (although the show runners confirmed that when the show does come to an end it will be similar to the events in the film. He assembled a team from the show's writing staff, including Paul Tibbitt, Derek Drymon, Aaron Springer, Kent Osborne, and Tim Hill, and they structured the film as a mythical hero's journey that would bring SpongeBob and Patrick to the surface. Hillenburg accepted an offer for a film adaptation of SpongeBob SquarePants from Paramount Pictures in 2002, after having turned it down multiple times the previous year. Krabs from Neptune's wrath and the oceanic world from Plankton's rule. SpongeBob and Patrick team up to retrieve the crown from Shell City to save Mr. Krabs, steal the Krabby Patty secret formula and take over the world by stealing King Neptune's crown and framing Mr. In this film, Plankton devises a plan to discredit his business nemesis Mr. It is also the first film in the SpongeBob SquarePants film series.

Lawrence reprising their roles from the series with Alec Baldwin, David Hasselhoff, Scarlett Johansson, and Jeffrey Tambor joining them voicing new characters. It features Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass and Mr. The film was directed, co-written, and produced by series creator Stephen Hillenburg, with live-action sequences directed by Mark Osborne.
