REVIEW: ‘Plankton The Movie’ Is A Love Story Only Bikini Bottom Could Tell

Directed by Dave Needham, Plankton The Movie is exactly what it sounds like—a feature-length story centered around SpongeBob’s tiniest villain. It offers an origin story of sorts for Plankton and Karen while delivering a fun, self-contained adventure. Unlike previous SpongeBob movies, which often take the characters far from Bikini Bottom, this one stays grounded in the world we love. The result? A film that feels more like an extended SpongeBob episode rather than an overblown, out-of-place journey. And honestly, that works in its favor.

At its core, Plankton The Movie is a love story—albeit a hilariously evil one. Karen (Jill Talley), after 25 years of Plankton’s nonsense, has finally had enough and decides to take over the world herself. This forces Plankton to reflect on their relationship, with SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) helping in the most SpongeBob way possible as an armchair psychologist, thanks to a comic book he read.

It’s ridiculous, it’s heartfelt, and it gives us more depth to Plankton and Karen without fundamentally changing who they are. Plankton (Mr. Lawrence) doesn’t suddenly turn good, and the world isn’t drastically different. It’s just another day in Bikini Bottom, and that’s exactly how it should be.

One of the film’s strengths is how it balances its formula for new and old fans. The early moments feel like an introduction to the cast for those who might not be familiar, but it quickly settles into being Plankton’s movie. The story is filled with references that longtime fans will love, yet it’s accessible enough that newcomers, especially kids, can jump in without feeling lost.

Plankton The Movie channels classic SpongeBob, creating more thoughtful comedy.

Where the Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie felt overloaded with rapid-fire jokes for the sake of it, Plankton The Movie takes a more measured approach to its comedy. The physical humor, absurdity, and visual gags feel much more in line with classic SpongeBob. It more closely resembles the original seasons, where the humor was surreal yet carefully placed. It’s not just about throwing jokes at the wall; it’s about creating moments that naturally blend into the story.

Additionally, a layer of adult humor here mirrors what older SpongeBob fans love about revisiting the early seasons. Nothing is over-the-top or forced, but there are plenty of subtle jokes that will go over kids’ heads while making longtime fans chuckle. This makes it a great group watch, especially for adults who grew up with SpongeBob.

Visually, Plankton: The Movie continues SpongeBob’s recent trend of 3D animation, but this might be the best it has looked. More importantly, the movie plays with different animation styles, especially in flashbacks and musical sequences, sprinkling in 2D animation that feels nostalgic and well-integrated.

A major improvement over other recent movies is the lack of human interaction. One of the biggest issues with The Sandy Cheeks Movie was the overuse of humans, which often took away from the fun of seeing Bikini Bottom’s characters do their thing. Here, humans are used sparingly. Plankton’s first failed attempt at world domination involves getting thrown into the ocean by a little girl, which humorously sets up the Chum Bucket’s origin, but that’s about it. This keeps the story grounded where it belongs: in Bikini Bottom.

Pulling back on human characters is the biggest improvement.

A fun surprise in the third act is the return of Sandy, Pearl, and Mrs. Puff as Karen’s gal pals, reinforcing her life outside of Plankton’s antics. Their dynamic adds energy to the climax, delivering a big action sequence that still feels very SpongeBob—absurd, funny, and character-driven. More importantly, it gives Karen depth, showing she has a support system beyond just being Plankton’s voice of reason. It’s a small touch, but it makes Bikini Bottom feel more connected.

At about an hour and a half, Plankton The Movie doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s the kind of film you can throw on, enjoy, and move on with your day—just like the humans on the beach do at the end of the movie. Unlike past SpongeBob movies that felt like “big event” adventures, this one understands that it’s a streaming film meant to be watched at home, either solo or with friends.

If you’ve been disappointed by recent SpongeBob movies, Plankton The Movie is the one to check out. It’s a return to what makes Bikini Bottom special, with humor that lands, characters that stay true to themselves, and just enough depth to make it meaningful without losing its absurd fun. Watching it with fellow SpongeBob fans makes the experience even better—you’ll get to do the Leonardo DiCaprio meme as you catch all the references.

Plankton The Movie might be the best SpongeBob movie for longtime fans since the original Goofy Goober adventure. It doesn’t surpass that film’s cultural impact, but the franchise is finally back on the right track.

Plankton The Movie is streaming now on Netflix.