Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures made a splash at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Thursday, July 25, 2024, unveiling exciting new developments in the SpongeBob SquarePants universe. The 25th anniversary panel, held in Hall H for the first time, featured a star-studded lineup including Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Rodger Bumpass, and Clancy Brown, alongside executive producers Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller. The panel, moderated by Ed from “Good Burger,” was a highlight of the four-day convention.
One of the biggest announcements of the panel was the casting of Mark Hamill as “The Flying Dutchman” in the upcoming film “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants,” set to be released by Paramount Pictures on December 19, 2025. Hamill, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the “Star Wars” franchise, will voice the character of the gruff yet humorous ghost pirate who will challenge SpongeBob in his latest underwater adventure.
The panel also featured the premiere of an extended trailer celebrating SpongeBob SquarePants‘ 25 years on air. In addition to the trailer, Nickelodeon and Paramount+ revealed exclusive clips from their upcoming content. These included a sneak peek of “Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie,” set to premiere on Netflix on August 2. The clip showcases Sandy and SpongeBob in a high-stakes police chase as they try to save Bikini Bottom from impending danger.
Another highlight was the debut of the one-hour special “SpongeBob SquarePants: Kreepaway Kamp.” Scheduled to air this fall on Nickelodeon and Paramount+, the special follows SpongeBob and his friends as they reunite at Kamp Koral. However, their reunion turns sinister when a mysterious figure starts stalking the campers, leading to a series of spooky and comedic events.
The panel also included live table reads of iconic SpongeBob episodes. Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass, and Clancy Brown performed a live reading of the 1999 pilot episode “Help Wanted,” where SpongeBob attempts to secure a job at The Krusty Krab. Additionally, Carolyn Lawrence and Mr. Lawrence presented a live reading of “Single-Celled Defense,” which features Sandy teaching Plankton about karate and self-defense.
Since its debut on July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has become a cultural phenomenon. The series remains the most-watched animated show for 22 consecutive years, boasting a wide array of characters, catchphrases, and memes. It has also expanded into theatrical releases, a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, and a range of consumer products. SpongeBob SquarePants is one of Paramount’s most widely distributed properties, available in over 180 markets and translated into more than 30 languages, with an average viewership of over 90 million per quarter.
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Paramount+ has become the go-to streaming service for SpongeBob fans, offering more content related to the beloved sea sponge than any other platform.
Nickelodeon, now celebrating its 45th year, continues to lead as the top entertainment brand for kids, with programming, consumer products, and feature films. Paramount Pictures, a unit of Paramount Global, remains a major player in the film industry, producing and distributing some of the most influential brands in entertainment.
