Movies like The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (2025)
The best movies like The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (2025) are The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020), The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015) and Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie (2018). If The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants hooked you with its adventure and family, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedPAW Patrol: The Dino Movie (2026)8.1/10 from 204 votes
- NewestForgotten Island (2026)Released 2026
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020)
When his best friend Gary is suddenly snatched away, SpongeBob takes Patrick on a madcap mission far beyond Bikini Bottom to save their pink-shelled pal.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015)
Evil pirate Burger Beard is in search of the final page of a magical book that makes any evil plan he writes in it come true, but the final page happens to be the Krabby Patty secret formula. When Burger Beard endangers Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob, Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Squidward, Sandy, and Plankton must embark on a quest to retrieve the recipe and save their city...a quest that takes them to the surface world and transforms them into superheroes.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHey Arnold! The Jungle Movie (2018)
When their trip to San Lorenzo takes a turn for the worst, Arnold and his classmate’s only hope of getting home is retracing the dangerous path that led to Arnold's parents' disappearance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Monkey King (2023)
A stick-wielding monkey teams with a young girl on an epic quest for immortality, battling demons, dragons, gods — and his own ego — along the way.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDuckTales: The Movie - Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990)
With his nephews and niece, everyone's favorite rich uncle, Scrooge McDuck, treks from his mansion home in Duckburg in search of the long-lost loot of the thief Collie Baba. But finding the goods isn't quite what it's "quacked" up to be! Their thrilling adventure leads to comical chaos, magical mayhem, and a lesson about what is far more valuable than money, gold and jewels.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPAW Patrol: The Dino Movie (2026)
The Paw Patrol lands on a mysterious dinosaur island after a storm, where they meet Rex, a stranded pup. When Humdinger's reckless mining triggers a volcano, the team faces their biggest rescue mission yet to save the island.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMinions & More Volume 1 (2022)
This collection of 10 short films produced by Illumination includes: From the "Despicable Me" franchise: Puppy (2013); Minion Scouts (2019); Training Wheels (2013); The Secret Life of Kyle (2017); Santa's Little Helpers (2019). From the "Grinch" franchise: The Dog Days of Winter (2019). From the "Secret Life of Pets" franchise: Norman Television (2016); Weenie (2016). From the "Sing" franchise: Love at First Sight (2017). From the "Lorax" franchise: Forces of Nature (2012).
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTom and Jerry: Shiver Me Whiskers (2006)
Dueling cat-and-mouse team Tom and Jerry hit the high seas on a hunt for buried treasure in this pirate adventure. The tale begins when crew member Tom sets sail with an infamous pirate and finds a treasure map along with stowaway Jerry. The furry swashbucklers race to a deserted island where X marks the spot, but along with battling each other, they must outwit ruthless buccaneers, angry monkeys and a giant octopus to strike it rich.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDespicable Me 3 (2017)
Gru and his wife Lucy must stop former '80s child star Balthazar Bratt from achieving world domination.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003)
The sailor of legend is framed by the goddess Eris for the theft of the Book of Peace, and must travel to her realm at the end of the world to retrieve it and save the life of his childhood friend Prince Proteus.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRevolting Rhymes (2017)
Two half-hour animated films based on the much-loved rhymes written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisReturn to Never Land (2002)
In 1940, the world is besieged by World War II. Wendy, all grown up, has two children; including Jane, who does not believe Wendy's stories about Peter Pan.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Loud House Movie (2021)
The Loud family travel to Scotland and discover they are descendants of Scottish royalty as they move into their giant ancestral castle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAn American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster (1999)
Follow the clues to fun and excitement as the beloved little mouse takes on a big monster in this charming, full-length adventure. When a ferocious, mouse-nabbing creature puts fear into the hearts of New York City's rodents, Fievel and his friends team up with a reporter to chase after the scoop of the century and -- just maybe -- get a close-up look at the bad guy himself!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Sea Beast (2022)
When a young girl stows away on the ship of a legendary sea monster hunter, they launch an epic journey into uncharted waters — and make history to boot.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisZootopia 2 (2025)
After cracking the biggest case in Zootopia's history, rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves on the twisting trail of a great mystery when Gary De'Snake arrives and turns the animal metropolis upside down. To crack the case, Judy and Nick must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNo Time to Spy: A Loud House Movie (2024)
Lincoln and the Louds are ecstatic to welcome their new Gran-Gran, Myrtle, into the family with a tropical wedding celebration; but the festivities are cut short when an old nemesis from Myrtle's secret agent past appears on the island.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSlumberland (2022)
A young girl discovers a secret map to the dreamworld of Slumberland, and with the help of an eccentric outlaw, she traverses dreams and flees nightmares, with the hope that she will be able to see her late father again.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPlankton: The Movie (2025)
Plankton's tangled love story with his sentient computer wife goes sideways when she takes a stand — and decides to destroy the world without him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2026)
The Mandalorian and Grogu join their misfit allies for an epic party, celebrating their heroism. As friends regale the crowd with tales of their adventures, a pirate threat looms.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisForgotten Island (2026)
While celebrating their last night together, high school graduates and best friends Jo and Raissa stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali. When they discover that the memories of their entire friendship are the price for returning home, Jo and Raissa must race to find a way to leave the island before they forget each other forever.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisStrange World (2022)
A journey deep into an uncharted and treacherous land, where fantastical creatures await the legendary Clades—a family of explorers whose differences threaten to topple their latest, and by far most crucial, mission.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMarmaduke (2022)
Great Dane Marmaduke epitomizes the overgrown lapdog, with an irascible streak and a penchant for mischief that is tempered with a deep sense of love and responsibility for his human family, the Winslows. The new animation is set in the world of elite dog shows, rife divas, rivalries and slapstick comedy.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
SnoozefestMovies like thisToy Story 4 (2019)
Woody has always been confident about his place in the world, devoted to taking care of his kid—whether that's Andy or Bonnie. But after Bonnie creates a reluctant new toy called "Forky", a road trip adventure alongside old and new friends challenges everything Woody believes about loyalty, purpose, and what it truly means to be a toy.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHoward Lovecraft & the Undersea Kingdom (2017)
After conquering R'yleh and the Frozen Kingdom young Howard Lovecraft must now travel to the Undersea Kingdom in order to free his captured family, protect three mysterious magical books, and prevent the impending wrath of Cthulhu.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Minions & Monsters (2021)
Laundry day goes cosplay when a Minion noob gets a seat at the table of some pro-role-playing gamers. Starting as a punching bag for monsters and punchline for peers, his perseverance unlocks bardacious skills just in time to save the day.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas (2004)
Santa Claus, Mickey Mouse and all his Disney pals star in an original movie about the importance of opening your heart to the true spirit of Christmas. Stubborn old Donald tries in vain to resist the joys of the season, and Mickey and Pluto learn a great lesson about the power of friendship.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTangled (2010)
Feisty teenager Rapunzel, who has long and magical hair, wants to go and see sky lanterns on her eighteenth birthday, but she's bound to a tower by her overprotective mother. She strikes a deal with Flynn Rider, a charming wanted thief, and the duo set off on an action-packed escapade.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisZan Orangutan (TBA)
The year is 2030 and Zan is believed to be the last living Orangutan. His "human parents" have been tasked to save the species using Zan's DNA, however they have only managed to produce a Simian Translator that allows Zan to talk to humans and more. Zan sings and dances.... making him a global superstar through his hit song "Lil' Bit Crazy". Zan's life gets even "crazier" when he is kidnapped , falls from a plane and is trapped in a jungle... where he soon discovers that he is not so special after all... as there are a few living Orangutans who believe that he is the "Awaited One" to save them from the evil Komodo Dragon, Naga. As a total misfit with an unfit body, the pampered Zan has to learn to become a true Orangutan fast... to survive in a jungle full of predators.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & animation
The Adventures of Timmy the Tooth: Rainy Day Adventure (1995)
During a rainy day, Timmy imagines that he is Captain Good Guy, and Brushbrush is his first mate. They work to save Sunny the Sun from The Cavity Goon and Miss Sweety.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & adventure
Like The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants?
The closest matches to The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants are The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020), The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015) and Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie (2018). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants?
Start with The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020), the closest match to The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.
What is the highest-rated movie like The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants?
PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie (2026), rated 8.1/10 by 204 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants?
Forgotten Island (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants?
Yes: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020), The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015) and Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie (2018).
How are movies similar to The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.