He lives in a pineapple under the sea. He’s absorbent, yellow, and porous. And for the past 25 years, he’s been the moment. SpongeBob SquarePants has captured the hearts and minds of kids and adults alike ever since it premiered back in 1999. The show, created by Stephen Hillenburg, is simple in concept: SpongeBob (a sponge) works as a fry cook and has fun with his friends Patrick (a starfish), Sandy (a squirrel), and Squidward (an octopus). But it’s that conceptual simplicity that allows for boundless creativity in script and visuals. SpongeBob is a hilarious show with compelling and lovable characters, creative and visionary animation, and a gleefully absurdist bent. It may sound cliché, but there isn’t anything else on television quite like SpongeBob SquarePants. Its storytelling is tremendous, telling complete, engaging, and hysterical tales in 11-minute episodes.
Its hold on pop culture is extraordinary, resulting in four films, an endless array of merchandise, a Broadway musical, and a staggering swath of video games. It’s also extremely prevalent on the internet, specifically in meme culture, as some of the show’s most memorable gags and visuals have taken on an entirely new life online.
Through all of SpongeBob’s lasting cultural influence, it’s the series itself that has had the biggest impact of all. SpongeBob SquarePants continued for many years after Hillenburg wanted to end it, and many fans will tell you the quality of the show dipped (and never recovered) after the 2004 movie, which Hillenburg intended as the series finale. That’s largely true and is reflected in this list, as there are no entries beyond season six (though there are still lots of hidden gems in later seasons, even if they can’t reasonably be considered essential). As SpongeBob SquarePants celebrates its 25th anniversary, these are the 25 essential episodes (presented in chronological order), perfect for both newcomers to the Bikini Bottom lifestyle and full-fledged goofy goobers alike.
“Tea at the Treedome†(Season 1, Episode 1)
The final segment in SpongeBob’s first episode, “Tea at the Treedome,†provides an excellent introduction to the Texan scientist squirrel Sandy (Carolyn Lawrence), who caps off the show’s main cast of undersea misfits. Here we find SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) facing his greatest enemy: dehydration. It’s a perfect character beat — SpongeBob is such a courteous guest in Sandy’s waterless home that he can’t fathom telling her he’s in desperate need of water, which leads to some terrific jokes. Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke) enters the equation, which turns the dial on the absurdity up, culminating in a legendary joke in which SpongeBob and Patrick turn into a literal sponge and starfish.
“Jellyfishing†(Season 1, Episode 3)
Squidward (Rodger Bumpass) does not want to go jellyfishing. That decision winds up being his downfall as he gets badly stung by a jellyfish while avoiding SpongeBob and Patrick, who do not understand sarcasm. Squidward’s agony is delicately and expertly balanced by Patrick and SpongeBob’s genuine desire to make him feel better, which goes increasingly awry. There’s a loveliness that courses through “Jellyfishingâ€; there may not be a more wholesome sound in the world than the tra-la-las of SpongeBob and Patrick skipping through Bikini Bottom.
“Pizza Delivery†(Season 1, Episode 5)
Upon discovering making pizza could make him more money, Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown) sends SpongeBob and Squidward out on a pizza delivery. In true SpongeBob SquarePants fashion, everything that could go wrong does: The pair get lost, they lose their boat, and Squidward loses his mind. SpongeBob is seldom more likable than he is here, ferociously determined to follow the rules and get the pizza delivered. Squidward is also rarely more lovable, understandably irritated by SpongeBob’s determination. And the punch line about a missing beverage is the chef’s kiss.
“F.U.N.†(Season 1, Episode 10)
Plankton (Mr. Lawrence) has always been something of a tragic figure, just wanting to steal the Krabby Patty recipe to improve his Chum Bucket restaurant. His wife is a computer. But SpongeBob’s eternal optimism and kindness means “F.U.N.†is all about his determination to be friends with Plankton (the most hated person in Bikini Bottom, according to Squidward). The titular “F.U.N.†song perfectly encapsulates SpongeBob’s spirit, and Mr. Krabs and Plankton’s rivalry is never not funny.
“SB-129†(Season 1, Episode 14)
So much great humor in SpongeBob SquarePants comes from Squidward’s endless annoyance at his neighbors SpongeBob and Patrick. But when he inadvertently freezes himself and travels 2,000 years into the future, he’s finally free of them. Except he’s not: SpongeTron, made entirely of chrome, waits for him. Traveling back in time is no better, as prehistoric SpongeBob and Patrick are there, too. The caveman bit allows the characters free rein to get extremely silly, and their disgust for Squidward’s clarinet-playing is immortal. It’s a hilarious, if also damning, episode; Squidward will never be free from his tormentors. It’s funnier that way.
“Arrgh!†(Season 1, Episode 17)
An innocent board game between SpongeBob and Patrick grows into an electric adventure as Mr. Krabs becomes completely obsessed with the treasure-hunt game, winning 17 times in a row. The next day, Krabs arrives on a pirate ship to take the pair on an actual treasure hunt, convinced that the game board is a real treasure map. Krabs is a nightmarish captain, driving SpongeBob and Patrick to exhaustion on his quest for gold, letting his greed cloud his already poor judgment. It’s funny, of course, but it’s also rich with character detail, and the kindness and honesty of SpongeBob always wins in the end.
“Rock Bottom†(Season 1, Episode 17)
After having the time of their lives at Glove World(!), SpongeBob and Patrick get on the wrong bus, which takes them out of Bikini Bottom and into Rock Bottom. The episode gives the characters a new place, and a different aesthetic to play with, one that fits seamlessly into the show’s overall vibe. From SpongeBob’s giant glove balloon constantly beating up the bus driver to confusing bathroom signage, “Rock Bottom†is full of great details. None are better than SpongeBob’s endless mishaps while trying to get a bus back home. “Rock Bottom†really pushes SpongeBob to his limit, and the episode is a terrific showcase for the sponge, who faces enormous adversity to try and get home.
“Texas†(Season 1, Episode 18)
Sandy grows desperately homesick for Texas in this heartwarming episode. SpongeBob and Patrick would do anything to help their friend feel at home, even if they are terrible at accurately reading a situation. “Texas†captures what makes Bikini Bottom a place we all love — there’s a wholesome community spirit that comes alive when people need it most.
“Something Smells†(Season 2, Episode 2)
SpongeBob’s general ignorance is typically endearing, but it has some outrageous consequences in “Something Smells.†He eats the nastiest food you’ve ever seen and gets atrocious breath as a result. This clashes badly with his to-do list, which consists of saying hello to everyone in town(!). Predictably, and hilariously, madness ensues. The animators spin gold out of a silly concept, particularly in drawing his bad breath: Turning it into a bowling ball and knocking out a crowd with it is nothing short of genius.
“Imitation Krabs†(Season 2, Episode 4)
Plankton takes his scheming to the next level in the hysterical “Imitation Krabs.†SpongeBob pushes himself to the brink of madness to stop Plankton from stealing the Krabby Patty recipe, including tearing the head off a customer — “Everyone at the Head-Enhancement Clinic said nobody would notice!†the customer cries. Plankton creates a robot–Mr. Krabs suit to try and get the recipe from SpongeBob, and lots of absurd high jinks ensue.
“Squidville†(Season 2, Episode 6)
After experiencing endless agony living between SpongeBob and Patrick, Squidward decides to finally leave Bikini Bottom behind for Tentacle Acres, a planned community where everyone is just like him. It has everything he could ever want: Canned Bread! An interpretive-dance academy! But the endless joy becomes so monotonous, and he craves the very thing he’s always hated: someone — or, rather, some sponge — to make his life unpredictable. Watching Squidward embrace chaos and become a menace to society is one of the great joys SpongeBob SquarePants has to offer.
“Survival of the Idiots†(Season 2, Episode 9)
All SpongeBob and Patrick want to do is have fun with their friend Sandy, and they’re left baffled to discover that she’s hibernating — they have no idea what that means, so they go visit her anyway. The visual gags are brilliant here, including an especially creative snowball fight, one of Patrick’s most ridiculous faces, and a killer gravestone joke. Sandy doesn’t get as many opportunities as her pals to be completely outrageous, but her furious desire to hibernate (which is constantly interrupted by Patrick and SpongeBob) takes center stage in this bonkers episode.
“No Free Rides†(Season 2, Episode 10)
Driving instructor Mrs. Puff (Mary Jo Catlett) is one of the great characters in SpongeBob SquarePants; whenever she makes a semi-rare appearance, you know it’s gonna be good. That’s never more true than in “No Free Rides,†in which she’s completely exhausted by SpongeBob, who cannot pass her class to save his life. So she offers him bogus “extra credit†(which he also has a remarkably tough time earning) so he can pass the class and she can be at peace. But then she realizes she’s made a terrible mistake, and letting SpongeBob drive could spell doom for Bikini Bottom. So she does what any reasonable puffer fish would do: She steals his car. Part of becoming an adult means you relate more to Mrs. Puff than any other character.
“Shanghaied†(Season 2, Episode 13)
The Flying Dutchman gets the spotlight in “Shanghaied,†and he ends up becoming every bit as annoyed with SpongeBob and Patrick as Squidward typically is. Dutchman proves to be quite the menace, casting Squidward off his ship into a long, nightmarish fall to oblivion and kidnapping SpongeBob and Patrick. It features one of the series’ most absurd and hysterical moments: SpongeBob and Patrick have to brave the dreaded perfume section of a department store to escape from the Flying Dutchman’s ship.
“Band Geeks†(Season 2, Episode 15)
Perhaps the single-most-essential SpongeBob episode of them all, “Band Geeks†delivers a major win for the oft-troubled Squidward. His rival, Squilliam Fancyson (Dee Bradley Baker), gives Squidward the chance to perform with his band at the Bubble Bowl. But there’s only one wrinkle: Squidward doesn’t have a band. He quickly assembles the best musicians — or, really, just who’s available — in Bikini Bottom to put together an unforgettable show. “Band Geeks†is hilarious, of course, but it’s also heartwarming and a perfect ensemble piece that gives every character you love a moment to shine, especially in the genuinely epic “Sweet Victory†performance. The episode is so beloved that fans petitioned “Sweet Victory†to be played at the Super Bowl, a glorious wish that came true earlier this year. Plus it finally answers the eternal question Is mayonnaise an instrument?
“Graveyard Shift†(Season 2, Episode 16)
Mr. Krabs decides to open the Krusty Krab 24 hours a day, leaving Squidward devastated and SpongeBob elated: “Isn’t this great, Squidward? Just you and me working together for hours and hours and hours?†“Graveyard Shift†is an outrageous episode that twists Squidward’s plan to torment SpongeBob on its head. It also has the single-most-outlandish ending SpongeBob SquarePants has ever done.
“Sailor Mouth†(Season 2, Episode 18)
SpongeBob has always been the sweetest guy in town, but his reputation shifts when he reads a bad word — and starts using it — in “Sailor Mouth.†SpongeBob has no idea the word is a profanity (Patrick calls it a “sentence enhancerâ€). The montage of everyone reacting to SpongeBob’s foul mouth in the Krusty Krab is comic gold. SpongeBob imagining their punishment (“We’ll probably get 40 lashes!â€) is even better. The various sound effects replacing the swear words never get tired.
“Just One Bite†(Season 3, Episode 3)
SpongeBob loves his job at the Krusty Krab. When he discovers that Squidward has never once tasted a Krabby Patty, he’s horrified and goes to absurd and extreme lengths to make sure his pal finally eats one. It won’t be easy; Squidward refers to Krabby Patties as “radioactive sludge balls.†The jokes never stop coming in “Just One Bite,†and the twist — Squidward becomes obsessed with the burger but refuses to tell SpongeBob he likes it — leads to some great visual gags, including a montage of Squidward spending a lifetime with a big juicy Krabby Patty.
“Idiot Box†(Season 3, Episode 4)
Squidward may not have thought SpongeBob and Patrick couldn’t get any dumber, but they’ll show him! The duo buy a gigantic TV so they can throw it away and play in the box. “Idiot Box†is a delightful celebration of the endless creativity of both its characters and the show itself. Squidward gets annoyed and kicks the box, which sets off a ridiculous, surprising, and extremely satisfying chain of events. What really works here is Squidward’s typical annoyance morphing into jealousy as he tries to figure out how they’re having so much fun. It also spawned the wonderful “imagination†meme.
“Wet Painters†(Season 3, Episode 10)
A display of impressive visual humor — ridiculous facial expressions and extreme close-ups reign supreme here — “Wet Painters†also makes great use of the now-famous SpongeBob “hours later†time cards. All SpongeBob and Patrick want to do is clean Mr. Krabs’s precious dollar bill they accidentally painted over, which proves to be an insurmountable challenge. The standout joke, in which Patrick says, “We’re not cavemen; we have technology†— and then proceeds to smash a dollar bill with a computer — makes this episode immortal.
“Krusty Krab Training Video†(Season 3, Episode 10)
A high-concept installment that turns a corporate exercise into an entire episode, “Krusty Krab Training Video†delivers the right kind of stupid, absolute nonsense that translates into a wicked parody of corporate training (“P.O.O.P.†is an unbeatable joke) and some great character humor. All SpongeBob wants is to be the best worker and make Krabby Patties, and all Squidward wants is to make sure he’s getting paid overtime for suffering through this. The extremely long reveal of the Krabby Patty ties it all together.
“Chocolate With Nuts†(Season 3, Episode 12)
SpongeBob loves being a fry cook, but in “Chocolate With Nuts†he takes on the daring life of an entrepreneur with his best friend, Patrick. What ensues is a perfectly paced laugh riot as SpongeBob and Patrick go through all the phases of business ownership while selling chocolate, from shady dealers to struggling sales to the funniest gag about an old fish you’ve ever seen.
“Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy V†(Season 3, Episode 12)
Everyone’s favorite senior superheroes, Mermaid Man (Ernest Borgnine) and Barnacle Boy (Tim Conway), are on the outs. Tired of being treated like a child, Barnacle Boy becomes Barnacle Man. He forms a devastating new group of villains with the perfect name: Every Villain Is Lemons (a.k.a. EVIL). SpongeBob SquarePants is never afraid to lean into silliness, and “Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy V†is a gleefully foolish superhero parody. There are quite a few episodes about this duo, but this one has that extra dash of spectacular nonsense that makes it rise above its brethren.
“Krusty Towers†(Season 4, Episode 9)
Mr. Krabs has always cared about one thing more than anything else: money. His obsession with cold hard cash takes ludicrous new heights in “Krusty Towers,†in which he decides to turn the Krusty Krab into a hotel. The hotel setup gives Squidward a whole new reason to despise his job, but he ingeniously turns things in his favor, and Mr. Krabs ends up discovering that his relentless greed has a hefty price. It’s hugely satisfying to see the long-suffering squid finally get the upper hand, and his smug satisfaction is priceless.
“Penny Foolish†(Season 6, Episode 2)
Mr. Krabs has an enormous crisis of confidence: He witnesses SpongeBob finding a lucky penny, but it could have been his! One of the best post-Hillenburg episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants, “Penny Foolish†is an episode that dives into Mr. Krabs’s money-loving mind, comically and joyfully. The drive home, in which everything starts turning into pennies, is especially funny. And it does it without the mean-spiritedness of many late SpongeBob episodes, all while maintaining the Hillenburgian character humor, absurdism, and visual adventurousness that have made the show a defining classic for 25 years.