The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020)
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SpongeBob embarks on a perilous journey to Atlantic City to rescue his kidnapped pet snail, Gary.
The story
In Bikini Bottom, Plankton hatches a new plan to steal the Krabby Patty formula, leading him to kidnap SpongeBob's pet snail, Gary, to prevent SpongeBob from interfering. Meanwhile, in Atlantic City, the selfish ruler King Poseidon requires a new snail to maintain his appearance. SpongeBob learns of Gary's kidnapping from Patrick and sets off on a journey to Atlantic City. They are joined by Otto, a robot built by Sandy, who takes them to an old Western town. There, they meet a tumbleweed spirit named Sage, who reveals they are dreaming and must complete a special mission to continue their search.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In Bikini Bottom, Plankton plans to steal the Krabby Patty formula, but King Poseidon in Atlantic City needs a new snail's slime for his appearance. Plankton kidnaps Gary to keep SpongeBob away from the Krusty Krab. SpongeBob and Patrick travel to Atlantic City with Otto, a robot, and meet Sage, a tumbleweed spirit. They enter a dream world where they free ghostly pirates from the spirit El Diablo. Upon reaching Atlantic City, they are imprisoned in Poseidon's dungeon. Back home, Mr. Krabs, Squidward, Sandy, and a repentant Plankton team up to rescue them. In prison, Sage reveals that bravery comes from within. Before their execution, the group performs a musical number to distract Poseidon. SpongeBob refuses to leave Gary behind, eventually befriending Poseidon by offering him friendship. Poseidon returns to his true appearance, and everyone accepts him. SpongeBob rescues Gary and all the enslaved snails return to Bikini Bottom.
- First release year
- 2020
- Runtime (minutes)
- 91
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Tim Hill
- Writers
- Tim Hill · screenplay; Tim Hill · story; Jonathan Aibel · story; Glenn Berger · story
- Cast and characters
- Tom Kenny · SpongeBob SquarePants, Gary the Snail, and French Narrator; Awkwafina · Otto; Matt Berry · King Poseidon; Clancy Brown · Mr. Krabs; Rodger Bumpass · Squidward Tentacles; Snoop Dogg · The Gambler; Bill Fagerbakke · Patrick Star; Tiffany Haddish · Master of Ceremonies; Carolyn Lawrence · Sandy Cheeks; Mr. Lawrence · Plankton; Keanu Reeves · Sage; Danny Trejo · El Diablo
- Genres
- adventure; comedy; animation; fantasy
- Themes
- friendship; bravery; selflessness
- Tone and mood
- wacky; surreal; fun; demented
- Setting
- Bikini Bottom and Atlantic City in the modern era.
- Premise and plot tags
- kidnapping; road trip; fantasy adventure
- Source material / true-story basis
- SpongeBob SquarePants television series
- Franchise connections
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics, described as a wacky and fun visit to Bikini Bottom that retains the charm of the original series.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 65 · scale: 100 · review count: 20
- Awards and nominations
- Favorite Animated Movie · Kids' Choice Awards · 2022 · Nominated; Favorite Voice in an Animated Movie · Kids' Choice Awards · 2022 · Nominated; Favorite Voice in an Animated Movie · Kids' Choice Awards · 2022 · Nominated; Favorite Voice in an Animated Movie · Kids' Choice Awards · 2022 · Nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was the first in the franchise to be fully animated in stylized computer-generated imagery.; The film was originally titled 'It's a Wonderful Sponge' before being changed to 'Sponge on the Run'.; The film was dedicated to the series creator, Stephen Hillenburg, who died in 2018.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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