Since the first episode of SpongeBob SquarePants aired on May 1st, 1999, the animated sitcom has developed into an entertainment empire. Boasting numerous lines of merchandise, several theme park attractions and as many as three feature films, the series does not plan on stopping anytime soon. With such a long and turbulent history, however, come highs and lows.
After The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie hit theaters in 2004, series creator Stephen Hillenburg moved on to other projects. Losing him was a big blow and the show’s critical reception began to dwindle whilst its popularity continued to rise. A live-action animation hybrid, Sponge Out Of Water followed suit eleven years later. Now, a third film, titled Sponge On The Run, is getting ready for Netflix.
Well, kind of. You see, in a bit of a confusing situation, CBS All Access has the US rights, while Netflix has the international rights (except China). And as you can see down below by just a sample of what folks are saying on Twitter, not too many people are happy about the arrangement.
https://twitter.com/MichelsTristan/status/1283566979035660294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1283566979035660294%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcomicbook.com%2Fmovies%2Fnews%2Fspongebob-squarepants-sponge-on-the-run-netflix-fans-upset%2F
I never understood why shouldn’t area get left out on things
— Chase Casto (@ChaseCasto2) July 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/senpainaenae96/status/1283562031686262789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1283562031686262789%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcomicbook.com%2Fmovies%2Fnews%2Fspongebob-squarepants-sponge-on-the-run-netflix-fans-upset%2F
come on!
— Hunterrr (@Wheelchairboy26) July 16, 2020
— Irie Sori (@Isori_21) July 16, 2020
Welp, this is what VPNs were made for.
— Seth (@CrystalSeth20) July 16, 2020
Spongebob Movie Sponge on the Run coming soon on Netflix?! 😱 pic.twitter.com/sH1LgdP6A0
— Rachel Kelly 🩷 (@AjleeKelly) July 16, 2020
I was gonna make an effort to see this in theaters, despite not getting to see the first 2 movies until their TV releases. Either way, I don't want to pay a ton of money just to watch it on my TV at home. I would pay a movie theater for the experience I don't get at home.
— Jackie (Weatheronthe8s) (@Weatheronthe8s) July 17, 2020
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
— BoyOHBoy (@BoyOH123) July 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/IkeNwosu1113/status/1283583919833702401
Covid-19 and ViacomCBS are jerks. they ruined 2021. 🙁
— Teddy 🍉 #TADC E2 is in MAY! 🎂 (@TFurstman) July 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/KremlingRodney/status/1283846346143944706
Loosely based on an episode in the actual series, Sponge On The Run follows SpongeBob and Patrick as they travel to The Lost City of Atlantic City in order to reclaim the former’s stolen pet snail Gary. Written and directed by longtime SpongeBob SquarePants creative Tim Hill, the film will star Keanu Reeves and Awkwafina alongside the series’ regular voice cast and will arrive next year.
Tell us, though, are you happy with the release strategy the studio has chosen? And are you frustrated that it won’t be coming to theaters? Let us know by dropping a comment in the usual place down below.