If you were a kid 20 years ago, chances are you’re a SpongeBob fan. Even if you’ve never watched an episode, by this point in the history of the internet you’ve probably come across, or maybe even used yourself, a SpongeBob meme. It’s currently in its 12th season, is renewed for its 13th, and has 3 movies under its belt. Not only that, it is also currently Nickelodeon’s longest running cartoon. Everyone wants a piece of the sponge guy, he’s even got a spot at both the Universal Studios theme parks. So in honor of the sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea, here are the 20 episodes of SpongeBob Squarepants I think are worth re-watching. I’m going to stick to the first three seasons though, as that was the height of my own SpongeBob viewing and because there’s just too many episodes to go through across all 12 seasons. It’s just so many. So. Many.
“Sweet Victory”, need I say more? Anyone who says this isn’t THE episode of SpongeBob is a filthy liar and doesn’t deserve your time.
Honestly, all of the episodes that had a musical number just slapped. I’m still cracking up over the fact the SpongeBob inspired a bunch of people to rip their pants for his song. And the song is also a cautionary tale of taking a joke too far, so teaching moment.
SpongeBob and Plankton become friends and sing together, what’s not to love? The song is a bit of an ear worm though, so be prepared to be humming it for days.
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST CHRISTMAS EPISODES IN TV AND I WILL FIGHT ANYONE WHO DISAGREES. Not only is it Christmas, but it’s the first time we are graced with the presence of Patchy the Pirate and I will not let anyone sully his legacy.
Squidward and SpongeBob are forced to work a graveyard shift by Mr. Krabs at the Krusty Krab. Squidward tells SpongeBob the story of the Hash Slinging Slasher in order to try to curb the latter’s optimistic attitude. Watching the two start to freak themselves out is always a laugh, plus there’s a great shout out to Nosferatu.
This episode is a love letter to all students out there, so they should all watch it during finals. The ending in particular, where SpongeBob finally gets his assignment done only to find out it had been cancelled and just rips himself in half, speaks to my soul.
Bring it around town, bring it a-round-town. And then you do this, and this, and this and that and this and that and then! Magic. It hurts me that you can’t actually do that with bubbles in real life. Curse reality.
Squidward locks himself in a freezer and all sorts of time traveling shenanigans ensue. His particular freak out over being in the future is a favorite in the world of SpongeBob memes.
I die laughing just thinking about this episode and SpongeBob and Patrick crying over “catching the ugly” before realizing their breath stinks. I mean honestly, how did they not put that together sooner it was a rancid onion monstrosity. I’m distressed and amused.
This episode gets a shout out because it gave the world the catchphrase “I made it with my tears” which can be applied to any situation.
There’s a lesson about trends and capitalism in there somewhere. Or maybe this is why everyone is obsessed with rainbow/unicorn food foods, because they subconsciously always wanted a Pretty Patty.
This is the best one episode that feature Spongebob’s favorite geriatric heroes because it features the secret lair AND Man Ray voiced by John Rhys Davies. Legendary.
This is a close second in terms of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy appearances. Mostly for Patrick’s iconic line “You Wumbo, I Wumbo, He She Me Wumbo, Wumbo, Wumboing”. All hail the Wumbo.
How could I not mention the Imagination episode? Iconic af.
Spongebob wanting to prove he’s tough but continually getting sent over the Weenie Hut Jr. To this day my friends and I love to slip in a Weenie Hut Jr. reference when one of us is too chicken (usually me and my refusal to watch horror movies.).
I LIVE for the family drama that occurs when Patrick and SpongeBob adopt a baby scallop together. Blissful domesticity it is not. Spongebob knows what’s up now.
Honestly this one is up there in terms of best SpongeBob episodes ever. 10 year old me really thought we were finally going to get to know the Krusty Krab secret formula and I genuinely thought there was a problem with our TV when it cut out before telling us. 10 year old me was a fool.
This episode gave birth to many of the great SpongeBob memes, so we pay our respects by adding it to the list and eating a bar of chocolate. Just don’t let the rabid chocolate guy get you.
SpongeBob has an accident that leaves him afraid of leaving his house, and in doing so comes up with the anthem for introverts everywhere. There is a random and unexplained gorilla at the end, but I’m willing to overlook that since it was a tool for SpongeBob to overcome his fear.
SpongeBob tells us the story of how he lost his identity. This is the episode where he stares blankly in a diner with a cup of coffee, another of my favorite and frequently used memes.
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