SpongeBob needs no introduction, which has captivated audiences since debuting on Nickelodeon in 1999. On top of 14 seasons over the span of the past two decades, the character has also witnessed three theatrical releases, with the last one being 2020’s Sponge on the Run. And on the character’s 25th anniversary, a fourth film has been announced, set to be led by director Derek Drymon, who served as the creative director for the first three seasons of SpongeBob SquarePants.
However, some are conflicted about the upcoming theatrical release, after director Drymon revealed that the upcoming film will feature n-dity.
Fans Aren’t Jovial About the Inclusion of N-dity in Derek Drymon’s The SpongeBob Movie
While SpongeBob SquarePants is no stranger to adult jokes, which were incorporated to keep the adults hooked, the Nickelodeon show’s main target audience includes kids. However, with The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants, one of the four upcoming movies based on Nickelodeon’s animated IPs, fans are raising concerns about it being inappropriate for kids.
With Derek Drymon revealing that the upcoming theatrical release, slated for a late December release next year, will feature n-dity, some took to x to share that it will be a big disaster.
horrible timing for nickelodeon
— 1NFINIT3 (@iamthekid42) April 13, 2024
multiple lawsuits will be filed because you couldn't leave the children alone.. have fun in court 👍🏻
— misha꙳ (@schizarella) April 12, 2024
As a single mother of 5 I am disgusted that Spongebob will do this and will be filing a lawsuit
— Marc Gobi 🌱 (@MarcGobi) April 12, 2024
Oh no! pic.twitter.com/pb4aUE9kBd
— ♠️Audsauce♠️ (@Audjuice9989) April 12, 2024
We don't want that
— El-Kopik👑 (@Ikopima09) April 12, 2024
Furthermore, the controversy surrounding the former Nickelodeon EP Dan Schneider, and the network’s dark history of treating kids behind the scenes, is doing little to alleviate things.
But on the flip side, fans of the show argued that it isn’t really a big matter, as SpongeBob is no stranger to being without pants, especially in 2000’s The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. While it’s uncertain how severe the n-dity in the upcoming film will be, it’s safe to presume Drymon knows what he’s doing, as he is responsible for some of the best episodes the show has to offer.
Nothing Has Topped the SpongeBob Pilot for Bill Fagerbakke
The fourth SpongeBob feature film will see him heading to the depths of the ocean to face the Flying Dutchman’s ghost, which will see the original voice cast return, including Bill Fagerbakke.
Fagerbakke, who has been playing Patrick Star for the past 25 years, is still ecstatic about the role. But despite being part of hundreds of episodes and acclaimed spin-offs, nothing has topped the show’s Pilot, Help Wanted, for him.
He explained (via IGN);
“It’s in so many ways, a perfect standalone cartoon. It’s eight minutes long, and it has such a rich feel, an immediately recognizable cast of characters, and relationships, and types. And it features what remains my favorite line in the entire run of the series, which is from Squidward, because he’s anxious that he sees his annoying neighbor applying for a job where he works. And then to his relief, he hears Mr. Krabs clearly sending SpongeBob on a fool’s errand, because he’s not taking the application seriously.”
While it remains to be seen what the rating for the upcoming theatrical release will be, it’s reasonable to assume the brief n-dity will be nothing substantial, and will not hinder its story.
The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants is slated to release on December 19, 2025.
