Synopsis

When Plankton steals King Neptune's crown and frames Mr. Krabs, SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star set out on a dangerous journey to Shell City. SpongeBob hopes the mission will prove that he is mature enough to manage the Krusty Krab 2, while Plankton uses the crisis to launch his long-planned takeover of Bikini Bottom.

Factoids & Trivia

• Released on November 19, 2004, the film was the first theatrical feature based on the SpongeBob SquarePants television series.

• The movie was originally intended to serve as the series finale. Its success and the continuing popularity of the show led to the production of additional seasons.

• David Hasselhoff's live-action appearance was filmed with the help of an 11-foot-long model of the actor, allowing the crew to capture wide shots without relying on the real performer.

• Motorhead recorded a child-friendly version of their song "You Better Run" for the soundtrack, retitled "You Better Swim."

• The Shell City material combines animation with live-action photography filmed at locations in California, including Paradise Cove Beach in Malibu.

• "Goofy Goober Rock" reworks the Twisted Sister song "I Wanna Rock" as a climactic SpongeBob musical number.

• The film's home-video releases included animatics for deleted scenes, including a sequence involving Sandy on the surface. Elements of that idea were later adapted for The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water.