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SpongeBob SquarePants: Sponge On The Run Fans Are Upset About The Netflix Release

US SpongeBob SquarePants fans are annoyed by the limited distribution of Sponge On the Run, which they'll only be able to watch on VOD or CBS All Access.

SpongeBob-SquarePants

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.

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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

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

SpongeBob-SquarePants

https://twitter.com/IkeNwosu1113/status/1283583919833702401

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.