Encyclopedia SpongeBobia
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Encyclopedia SpongeBobia

SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series created by former marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. It is broadcasted on the American cable network Nickelodeon. Since its debut on May 1, 1999, the series has aired over 290 half-hour episodes and is currently in its fourteenth season, which premiered on November 2, 2023. The series follows the adventures of the title character and his various friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom.

The series' first feature film, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, was released in theaters in the United States on November 19, 2004. The series' first television movie, "Atlantis SquarePantis," premiered on November 12, 2007, as part of season 5, after a 12-hour television marathon. The series' second television movie, "Truth or Square," premiered on November 6, 2009, as part of season 6, to celebrate the show's 10-year anniversary. A second feature film, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, was released in theaters in the United States on February 6, 2015. The series' third television movie, "SpongeBob's Big Birthday Blowout," premiered on July 12, 2019 as part of season 12, to celebrate the show's 20-year anniversary. The series' third feature film, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, was released digitally on Paramount+ in the United States on March 4, 2021.

The first eight seasons are available on DVD for Regions 1, 2 and 4 as of October 2017. Seasons 9-13 are available on DVD for Region 1 as of December 5, 2023. The series is officially available for streaming on Paramount+.

SpongeBob SquarePants has received two spin-offs: Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years, which premiered on Paramount+ on March 4, 2021; and The Patrick Star Show, which premiered on Nickelodeon on July 9, 2021.

Hillenburg initially began to work on creating the show shortly after the cancellation of Rocko's Modern Life in 1996. To voice the character of SpongeBob, Hillenburg approached Tom Kenny, who had worked with him on Rocko's Modern Life as a voice actor. SpongeBob was originally to be named "SpongeBoy," but the name was already in use for a pencil product. Upon finding it out, Hillenburg decided to use the name "SpongeBob." He chose "SquarePants" as a family name, as it referred to the character's square shape and it had a "nice ring to it."

Title card # Title Airdate
Backstage Pants
1 "Backstage Pants" March 12, 2002
It is the series of some short clips hosted by crew members.
SpongeBob's Start
2 "SpongeBob's Start" (tr • ga) March 12, 2002
In this special, Stephen Hillenburg talks about his idea for SpongeBob and the creation of his world.
GraveyardShiftVoiceOver
3 "Graveyard Shift (voice-over)" (tr • ga) March 12, 2002
Tom Kenny and Rodger Bumpass are recording for "Graveyard Shift."
Texas voice-over title card
4 "Texas (voice-over)" (tr) March 12, 2002
Carolyn Lawrence, Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke record "Texas."
Dying for Pie voice-over title card
5 "Dying for Pie (voice-over)" (tr) March 12, 2002
Tom Kenny and Rodger Bumpass in "Dying for Pie."
DrawingCharacters
6 "Drawing Characters" (tr • ga) March 12, 2002
In this special, Sherm Cohen shows us how he draws SpongeBob and Squidward.
GraveyardShiftInTheBeginning
7 "The Graveyard Shift: In the Beginning" March 12, 2002
In this special, Jay Lender talks briefly about the story process and then reads the storyboards.
ShowDesign
8 "Show Design" (tr • ga) March 12, 2002
In this special, Nick Jennings talks about the problems with the chrome backgrounds in "SB-129" when Squidward travels into the future.
Drawing the Goo Lagoon - Titlecard
9 "Drawing the Goo Lagoon" (tr) January 28, 2003
In this special, John Seymore draws the Goo Lagoon.
Bikini Bottom's 7 Life Strategies
10 "Bikini Bottom's 7 Life Strategies" (tr • ga) March 4, 2003
It is a hilarious look at how to succeed in life in Bikini Bottom.
BehindTheScenesSpecialDelivery
11 "Behind the Scenes: Special Delivery" July 29, 2003
A man who works with handling fan mail for the show is introduced.
The Origin of SpongeBob SquarePants
12 "The Origin of SpongeBob SquarePants" (tr) October 28, 2003
Stephen Hillenburg talks about the origin of the little yellow sponge dude.
Recollections from the First Season Crew
13 "The First Season Crew on..." (tr • ga) October 28, 2003
In this special, the crew look back on the first season and how the show came together.
Everybody's Talking - Titlecard
14 "Everybody's Talking: The Voices Behind SpongeBob SquarePants" (tr) October 28, 2003
In this special, the cast members talk about their characters and the voices they provide.
Around the World with SpongeBob SquarePants
15 "Around the World with SpongeBob SquarePants" (tr • ga) October 19, 2004
In this special, the opening of the show plays in various languages.
The Absorbing Tale Behind The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
16 "The Absorbing Tale Behind The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie" (tr • ga) March 1, 2005
Cast and crew members introduces the world of SpongeBob.
Case of The Sponge Bob
17 "Case of the Sponge "Bob"" (ga) March 1, 2005
In this special, we takes a look at all the real-life counterparts to the undersea creatures that inhabit Bikini Bottom.
Saving the Surf
18 "Saving the Surf" (tr) March 1, 2005
The Surfrider Foundation preaches the importance of protecting our beaches and provides information on how to become a member.
HowToDrawSpongeBobAndHisUnderwaterBuddies
19 "How to Draw SpongeBob SquarePants & His Underwater Buddies" (tr • ga) September 27, 2005
It is the tutorial about drawing SpongeBob, Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Squidward, Sandy, and Plankton.
The Voices of SpongeBob and Friends - Titlecard
20 "Behind the Scenes: The Voices of SpongeBob & Friends" (tr • ga) September 12, 2006
In this special, we see the actors matched up with their cartoon counterparts.
Behind the Scenes with Pick Boy - Titlecard
21 "Behind the Scenes with Pick Boy and SpongeBob" (tr) January 9, 2007
The Nick host Pick Boy invades a recording session of SpongeBob SquarePants.
Inside the SpongeBob Animation Studios
22 "Inside the SpongeBob Animation Studios" (tr) November 13, 2007
The South Korean animation studio, Rough Draft Studios, is viewed, where the series is produced.
Behind the Pantis
23 "Behind the Pantis" (tr • ga) November 13, 2007
It is a behind the scenes look at "Atlantis SquarePantis."
Plankton's Special Sinister Commentary
24 "Plankton's Special Sinister Commentary" (tr) March 3, 2009
Plankton sits in a theater, watches some of "SpongeBob SquarePants vs. The Big One," and rips on SpongeBob and the other characters.
The Great Wave special-3
25 "Πως Γυρίστηκε Στα Ελληνικά Το Επεισόδιο "Το Μεγάλο Κύμα"" September 21, 2009
Θανάσης Τσαλταμπάσης is seen performing the voice of Jack Kahuna Laguna in Greek.
Square Roots
26 "Square Roots: The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants" (tr • ga) September 22, 2009
It is a story about the development of SpongeBob SquarePants.
Lifelessontitle
27 "Life Lessons from Bikini Bottom" (tr • ga) September 22, 2009
It is an old educational film reel and basically acts as a profiler for the various characters.
Help Wanted - The Seven Seas Edition
28 "Help Wanted: The Seven Seas Edition" (ga) September 22, 2009
In this special, we have a look at the "Help Wanted" episode in numerous languages.
BehindTheScenesSpongeBobOpening
29 "Behind the Scenes of the SpongeBob Opening" (tr) November 10, 2009
It is a behind the scenes look at opening credits that accompany "Truth or Square."
How to make Spongebob Squarepants
30 "How to Make SpongeBob SquarePants" (tr • ga) March 16, 2010
The tutorial about how to make SpongeBob SquarePants.
Behind the Scenes - Legends of Bikini Bottom
31 "Behind the Scenes: Legends of Bikini Bottom" (tr • ga) November 16, 2010
It is a behind the scenes look at "Legends of Bikini Bottom."
Inside
32 "Inside the Pineapple with David Hasselhoff" March 29, 2011
Crew members expand on how they made The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.
Getting to the Bottom of a Stop-Motion Bikini Bottom
33 "Change of Sea-Nery: Getting to the Bottom of a Stop-motion Bikini Bottom" (ga) November 6, 2012
It is a behind the scenes look at "It's a SpongeBob Christmas!."

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