Movie review
December 16, 2025 · 88 min · PG
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
This is a straight-up silly SpongeBob adventure where he tries to prove he’s a “big guy” by tagging along with the Flying Dutchman on a goofy pirate quest to the Underworld. The narrative sticks to classic friendship, bravery, and “be yourself” lessons wrapped in absurd comedy—no lectures, no identity arcs, no political sermons. Casting adds a few celebrity voice cameos like Ice Spice in a tiny role and a tie-in song, but they’re promo flavor, not story drivers. No canon changes or creator push for social messaging. Light modern touches at most.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.
Woke representation / casting
Light celebrity voice cameos (Ice Spice minor role/tie-in song, Regina Hall, George Lopez) for promo appeal; incidental to story, no reported diversity emphasis or framing.
Woke political dialogue
No explicit political or activist dialogue reported in plot or reviews.
Identity-driven story themes
Light “big guy”/self-acceptance messaging via friendship and staying silly; comedic and not centered on modern identity politics.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Negligible; one innocuous capitalism gag noted but not central or activist.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Some backlash on marketing/Ice Spice but primarily non-ideological (appropriateness, celebs over originals); woke framing weak and fringe.
Creator track record context
Veteran SpongeBob/South Park/family-film team with no pattern of strong activist or identity-driven work.
Production
