SpongeBob SquarePants Cast Reveal How New Movie Balances “Slightly Naughty’ Jokes for Adults

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The beloved characters of SpongeBob SquarePants return in The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, this time joining forces with the quirky pirate, The Flying Dutchman. The film promises plenty of laughs for viewers of all ages, cleverly balancing silly humor for kids with more sophisticated jokes for adults. ComicBook recently spoke with stars Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Bill Fagerbake (Patrick), and Mark Hamill (Flying Dutchman) about how the movie strikes that balance, keeping the humor playful without being inappropriate.

When asked about any jokes that unexpectedly made it into the final version, Kenny said he wasn’t surprised by any of them. He explained that everyone involved understands SpongeBob very well, and the show’s boundaries are clearly defined. There have always been jokes with double meanings that are a little suggestive, but they never go too far.

Fagerbake and Hamill both highlighted how The Lego Movie cleverly included subtle jokes for adults. Fagerbake used the ‘Bricks’ bit as an example, explaining it wasn’t overtly suggestive, just a knowing nod to those familiar with the reference. Hamill pointed to the film’s marketing, specifically the phrase “ship happens,” as another instance. He noted that while perfectly acceptable for a child, it was adults who were meant to appreciate the double meaning.

Will Any Franchise Ever Beat SpongeBob SquarePants’ New Record?

With the release of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, the popular franchise continues to thrive, especially as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. In 2025, SpongeBob SquarePants became the longest-running animated children’s series ever, surpassing Arthur. Given the new movie and the show’s continued success, it makes you wonder if this record will ever be broken.

Arthur aired for 25 seasons over 26 years, concluding in 2022. SpongeBob, however, is still going strong with new seasons, spin-off games, and movies, and doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon. Even if it does end in about five years, it’s hard to imagine another show surpassing its longevity.

When it comes to consistently popular kids’ shows, Bluey, Paw Patrol, and Peppa Pig are the main competitors, as they have a large number of episodes and appear to be long-lasting. Peppa Pig currently leads with 404 episodes, but SpongeBob SquarePants, which started in 1999, has been on the air much longer. Whether SpongeBob will continue for many more years remains to be seen, but for now, it’s extending its lead and could potentially hold the record for the longest-running show.

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants hits theaters on December 19.

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2025-12-18 22:44