SpongeBob’s 10 Funniest Episodes to Rewatch as an Adult

SpongeBob SquarePants himself is a character whose age is hard to pin down. He holds down a job and is old enough to get a boating license, but he is sometimes treated like he’s just a kid. For some, this might be why SpongeBob appeals to fans of all ages. In fact, some SpongeBob episodes are simply funnier when rewatching the series as an adult than as a kid.

Sometimes, the series makes references and jokes that older viewers are more likely to get. In fact, some viewers are surprised to learn something they thought was made for the show might actually exist in real life. Other times, some of SpongeBob’s everyday activities, especially his work life, can be relatable to adults watching the show. Additionally, some viewers who grew up seeing themselves in SpongeBob might realize that they might find themselves empathizing with some of the show’s more sardonic characters, like Squidward and Plankton, than they originally thought.

10 “Graveyard Shift”

Season 2, Episode 16

“Graveyard Shift” is a spooky story that’s set up when Mr. Krabs decides to keep the Krusty Krab open for 24 hours. SpongeBob is initially ecstatic over never having to leave the restaurant. However, being out late at night starts getting to him, causing a spiteful Squidward to scare him even more with a ghost story. Things take a turn, however, when Squidward’s story seemingly starts coming true. Fortunately, everything has a logical explanation, except, of course, Count Orlock messing with the lights.

Featuring a Cameo From a Silent Movie Star

Any adults who’ve ever worked the late shift might either identify with Squidward, who is apathetic about the situation from the start, or SpongeBob, who is initially excited about the new work opportunity, only for the hard work to eventually get to them. Older viewers are also a bit more likely to get the reference to Nosferatu in the story’s final punchline, as there have actually been viewers who’ve been known to think the character was made up for the show.

9 “Sailor Mouth”

Season 2, Episode 18

“Sailor Mouth” sees SpongeBob and Patrick learn a few new words. Unfortunately, these are under-the-sea profanities, getting them in trouble when they repeat their new “sentence enhancer” out in the open, leading to SpongeBob’s unknowingly cursing on the intercom. Mr. Krabs tries to set them straight, but a game of “Eels and Escalators” gets the best of them.

The Dolphins Sure Are Chirpy Today

The show uses various sounds to represent the various curse words, though some older viewers probably like to fill in the blanks when watching the story. Allegedly, the voice actors even swore during the recording before being censored in the final cut to mimic the proper intonations. Of course, the random sounds lead to the episode’s final punchline: Mr. Krabs’ mother sounds like she just cursed, only for it to turn out to be Old Man Jenkins’ boat.

Another joke that might get lost on younger viewers is when Mr. Krabs mentions there are 13 underwater curse words, only for Squidward to say he thought there were seven. This likely references stand-up comedian George Carlin’s famous “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television” monologue.

8 “Mid-Life Crustacean”

Season 3, Episode 15

“Mid-Life Crustacean” shows what it’s like to be getting on in years when Mr. Krabs finds himself yearning for his younger days. However, his spirits get picked up when he learns SpongeBob and Patrick are planning a big night out and convinces the two to bring him along. However, SpongeBob and Patrick have a different concept of “fun” than the older crustacean, like going to the laundromat or playing a Dungeons & Dragons-style game. Mr. Krabs snaps, so they take him on the somewhat controversial “panty raid.” This backfires, however, when they go to Mr. Krab’s mother’s house.

“Are You Feeling It Now, Mr. Krabs?”

They say that young people spend their lives wishing they were older, and older people spend their days wishing they were younger. Naturally, a story about a literal midlife crisis probably has more appeal to adult viewers than kids, who probably heard the expression “panty raid” for the first time watching this episode.

That said, there are bound to be adult viewers who think SpongeBob and Patrick’s idea of a night on the town still feels pretty fun. Of course, there are also those who identify with the old fish hanging by the cemetery to get some ice cream.

7 “Squidville”

Season 2, Episode 6

In “Squidville,” Squidward has decided to finally move away from living between a rock and a pineapple, moving to a community filled with people like him. Soon, he is overjoyed to experience joys like canned bread and clarinet playing in the park. However, whether it be monotony or simple ennui, Squidward soon grows dissatisfied with his new life. After having some SpongeBob-inspired fun with a leaf blower and promptly being reminded that nothing’s keeping him in the community, he moves back to his old home.

“Tentacle Acres! Where Happiness Is Just a Suction Cup Away!”

The story reflects many themes, such as the grass always being greener on the other side. However, one message is that no matter who you are, you can always use a little excitement in your life to feel alive. In fact, Squidward is so happy to go back home that SpongeBob and Patrick, who’ve gone to the town to look for him, don’t even recognize him. On another note, many viewers were also surprised to grow up and learn that canned bread is indeed a real thing.

6 “I Had an Accident”

Season 3, Episode 16

In “I Had an Accident,” SpongeBob is badly hurt while sandboarding, causing him to become too afraid to leave his house. Sandy and Patrick try their hardest to get their spongy friend to enjoy the outside world again, but he’s made a few friends: a literal potato chip, penny, and tissue. In the end, Sandy and Patrick’s big plan, involving Patrick wearing a gorilla suit, backfires when a real gorilla, or a live-action human in a gorilla suit, shows up.

“Indoors, Indoors…Indoors!”

For viewers who’ve grown to realize they like their own company, the absurdist way SpongeBob makes a new life for himself while staying inside can be funny and relatable. Some even sing along to SpongeBob’s little “Indoors” song. Ultimately, however, this episode prides itself on surreal humor, with the live-action gorilla riding off on a pantomime horse, causing a live-action family to turn off the show.

5 “Chocolate With Nuts”

Season 3, Episode 12

With “Chocolate With Nuts,” SpongeBob and Patrick decide to take life into their own hands by becoming entrepreneurs. The two learn the ins and outs of making a sale, from lying to get people to buy their product to being conned into another pyramid scheme. In the end, however, the two end up cutting a good deal at the last second.

“Thank You for Your Patronage.”

The episode is relatable to anyone who has ever had to work on commission, be self-employed, or try to break into the business world. It also has the surprising message of listening to your clientele, as the story would’ve been a lot shorter if SpongeBob and Patrick had just given the guy screaming “Chocolate” a chance to explain he wanted to buy their wares.

4 “Walking Small”

Season 1, Episode 18

“Walking Small” has Plankton want to build a new restaurant on the beach at Goo Lagoon. Unfortunately, he mostly gets ignored, thanks to his small size. He decides to use SpongeBob to help him clear the beach by teaching him to be more “assertive.” SpongeBob’s initially too nice for this to work, but Plankton is able to convince him to act like a jerk, driving everyone away. However, a horrified SpongeBob decides to make it up to everyone, bringing everyone back to the beach.

“It’s Too Cute! It’s… It’s Disgusting!”

For anyone who has been pressured to toughen up, a story where kindness saves the day in the end can be part of the episode’s charm. On the other hand, the episode’s final punchline, SpongeBob getting to play volleyball with everyone by becoming the volleyball, could be seen as saying being a pushover isn’t such a good idea, either. That said, there are bound to be viewers who even find Plankton crawling away at the happy ending somewhat relatable.

3 “Krusty Krab Training Video”

Season 3, Episode 10

“Krusty Krab Training Video” is one of SpongeBob SquarePants’ more experimental episodes, featuring SpongeBob and his co-workers in a training video explaining the everyday protocol of the Krusty Krab. Throughout, fans are teased with learning just how to make a famous Krabby Patty. Of course, the episode ends just before the narrator can share this information, presumably in case of any scheming plankton getting a copy of the video.

Cue the William Tell Overture…

The video paints SpongeBob as a “good employee” and Squidward as a “bad employee.” That said, even if Squidward can be genuinely lazy, as seen in the video, the episode also clarifies that he has a lot to put up with like Patrick forgetting what he wants while placing an order. Any viewer who has worked in a similar job can probably relate on some level. In fact, some restaurant workers have likely seen training videos that are even stranger than the one the episode presents.

2 “Pizza Delivery”

Season 1, Episode 5

In “Pizza Delivery,” when a customer randomly calls up the Krusty Krab to order a pizza, Mr. Krabs can’t resist a chance to make money and sends Squidward and SpongeBob off to deliver a makeshift pizza. Unfortunately, the two end up in the middle of nowhere and have to travel on foot. Fortunately, SpongeBob’s knowledge of pioneer skills comes in handy, but things don’t go as planned when they finally reach the customer.

“Krusty Krab Pizza Is a Pizza for You & Me”

Infamously, the customer refuses to accept the pizza, claiming that SpongeBob forgot his drink, which he didn’t appear to actually order, causing the poor sponge to run off in tears. An enraged Squidward, however, throws the pizza in his face and cheers up SpongeBob in a surprisingly kind moment. In recent years, with the proliferation of delivery services and customers looking for any excuse to get a refund, many viewers who work in food delivery might consider Squidward their new hero.

1 “Band Geeks”

Season 2, Episode 15

“Band Geeks” has Squidward reunite with his old rival, Squilliam, who ropes him into putting on a show for the Bubble Bowl. Unfortunately, the people of Bikini Bottom aren’t that musically gifted and attempts to turn them into a band cause them to break out into a fight. However, SpongeBob convinces them to come together and put on a good show for Squidward. Granted, Squidward hasn’t done much for them, but they can always pretend he did. Bikini Bottom ultimately steals the show in the end with a rocking rendition of “Sweet Victory.”

“The Winner Takes All…”

Many kids first watching the show often see Squidward as another villain in the series, but many viewers find themselves sympathizing with SpongeBob’s put-upon neighbor as they get older. Seeing Squidward get a happy ending for once really makes the episode worth it for some, especially since Squidward isn’t even that lucky with some of his later run-ins with Squilliam. Likewise, anyone who has been overshadowed by an obnoxious rival or had similar musical ambitions can have an empathetic laugh seeing Squidward best Squilliam.

SpongeBob SquarePants is streaming now on Paramount+. The latest SpongeBob movie, Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, is streaming on Netflix.