BURBANK, Calif.–Nickelodeon brought fans down to Bikini Bottom and beyond to celebrate SpongeBob SquarePants’ landmark 25th anniversary during an exclusive panel at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Appearing in Hall H for the first time, iconic voices Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton), along with executive producers Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller, kicked off the four-day Comic-Con weekend with the Best. Panel. Ever. — “Celebrating 25 Years of Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants.”
Moderated by Good Burger‘s Ed (Kel Mitchell), the panel highlights include:
- A surprise live appearance by legendary actor Mark Hamill (Star Wars) to announce his role as “The Flying Dutchman” in Paramount Pictures’ upcoming fourth theatrical film, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants. Produced by Nickelodeon Animation, Hamill will lend his voice as, “The Flying Dutchman,” a gruff and goofy ghost-pirate who will face off against SpongeBob in his newest underwater adventure. The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is slated to hit theaters Dec. 19, 2025.
- An exclusive clip reveal of the upcoming movie, Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, available August 2 on Netflix. In the clip, Sandy and SpongeBob’s pursuit to save the denizens of Bikini Bottom turns into a police pursuit, as the Cheeks family (voiced by Craig Robinson, Johnny Knoxville and Grey DeLisle) takes them along for the ride on a high-speed car chase.
- A first look at the one-hour special SpongeBob SquarePants, “Kreepaway Kamp,” which shows fan-favorite characters going to a reunion at Kamp Koral, including SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Mr. Krabs, Pearl, Bubble Bass, Kevin C. Cucumber, Larry the Lobster, Mrs. Puff and more. In “Kreepaway Kamp,” while at Kamp Koral for a reunion, SpongeBob and the gang are stalked by a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows as campers start disappearing one by one! The special is coming this fall to Nickelodeon and Paramount+.
- Veteran voice cast Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs) conducted a live table read of the beloved 1999 pilot episode SpongeBob SquarePants, “Help Wanted,” where SpongeBob tries to get a job as a fry cook at The Krusty Krab restaurant.
- Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy Cheeks) and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton) performed a live table read from SpongeBob SquarePants, “Single-Celled Defense,” where Sandy teaches Plankton all about Karate and self-defense.
Since its launch July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the most-watched animated series for 22 consecutive years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base. SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the most widely distributed properties in Paramount history, seen in more than 180 markets, translated in 30+ languages, and averaging more than 90 million total viewers every quarter. SpongeBob SquarePants was created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif. The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurable optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.
Paramount+ is the streaming home for SpongeBob fans with more Bikini Bottom content than any other streaming service.
About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 45th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon is a part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment brands.
About Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Paramount Pictures has some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, and Paramount Players. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
About Paramount+
Paramount+, part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment and news brands, is a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, combining live sports, breaking news and A Mountain of Entertainment™. The streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME ® , the service’s cornerstone plan, is also home to SHOWTIME content, including scripted hits and critically acclaimed nonfiction projects and films. This premium plan includes unmatched events and sports programming through the local live CBS stream, including golf, basketball and more. All Paramount+ subscribers have streaming access to CBS News Network for 24/7 news and CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis.
For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com, and follow @ParamountPlus on social media.
