Best Spongebob Episodes of All Time

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Emily Medlock

Emily has been a fan of SpongeBob since it first aired in the late 90s. She often finds herself referencing SpongeBob in everyday conversations. As a writer, Emily loves that the show offers a chill and laid-back vibe that allows for a lot of fun and creativity.

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• Best Spongebob Episodes of All Time - July 17, 2023
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• Best Spongebob Pajamas for Kids - July 5, 2023

The best SpongeBob episodes of all time live rent-free in my head. I think SpongeBob SquarePants is the most quotable cartoon of all time, bridging generations since the early 2000s.

Over the last twenty-plus years, SpongeBob has given us iconic episode after iconic episode. But there are certain episodes that most fans can agree are top-tier. So if you’re looking for a cozy bedtime show, perhaps rewatching some of the best SpongeBob episodes is exactly what you need.

Top 5 Episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants

What Makes a SpongeBob Episode Good?

• Humor – none of the episodes on my list lack humor
• Hook – a good premise goes a long way if executed well in SpongeBob
• Quotes – if there isn’t at least one quote that replays in your head, it’s not worth the watch
• Connection – this refers to the emotional connection you have to the characters during the episode

25 Best SpongeBob Episodes of All Time

Let me tell you, this was one of the hardest lists I’ve ever made because almost every episode in the first three seasons is iconic. I had to give it some time before I was confident in my decision, so know that these were not picked from a hat.

25. Welcome to the Chum Bucket – Season 2, Episode 34a

• Sister Episode – “Frankendoodle“
• Song – “Without You”
• Featured Characters – Plankton, SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs
• Top Quote – “That’s it, Mister! You’ve just lost your brain privileges!” – Plankton

In “Welcome to the Chum Bucket,” Mr. Krabs bet SpongeBob’s employment and lost it in a card game against Plankton. This episode shows us what Plankton is capable of, features Karen (possibly my favorite character), and gives us a new perspective on SpongeBob.

“Without You” was such a cringe performance that it was amazing. But I think it is so popular because we get to see Plankton, SpongeBob, and Mr. Krabs’ dynamic in full force for the first time.

24. Squidville – Season 2, Episode 26b

• Sister Episode – “Grandma’s Kisses”
• Top Song –  “Happy Go Lively”
• Featured Characters – Squidward
• Top Quote – “I hate this channel” – Patrick

“Squidville” is a favorite of mine, and it seems I’m not alone. In this episode, Squidward gets quite annoyed with his neighbors and decides to move to a neighborhood with only other octopi.

Everything is great at first, but soon Squidward gets bored, and a new side of him comes out. It turns out he’s the SpongeBob and Patrick of Squidville. The perspective this puts on Squidward is phenomenal.

23. Bubble Buddy – Season 2, Episode 23b

• Sister Episode – “Big Pink Loser”
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – SpongeBob, Bubble Buddy
• Top Quote – “Things are getting a little weird around here.” – Bubble Buddy

“Bubble Buddy” is an episode named after the character Bubble Buddy. In the episode, SpongeBob finds out that his friends are all busy, so he makes a new one by blowing a bubble.

The entire town thinks Bubble Buddy is just a bubble SpongeBob is playing with and causing trouble. However, the thing that makes the episode so memorable is the end when we find out just how real Bubble Buddy may be.

22. Patty Hype – Season 2, Episode 25b

• Sister Episode – “Wormy“
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs
• Top Quote – “Look what I got under me kilt!” – random Scottish fish

“Patty Hype” is a unique upside of SpongeBob, whose name you may not recognize. If you’re like me, it’s because you thought the episode was called “Pretty Patties.” If this rings a bell, congrats.

SpongeBob creates the colorful patties and quits his job when Mr. Krabs and Squidward won’t like them. I literally dreamt of Pretty Patties when I was younger, imagining what each color tasted like, hoping they weren’t like the colored ketchup.

21. Hall Monitor – Season 1, Episode 7a

• Sister Episode – “Jellyfish Jam”
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – SpongeBob, Mrs. Puff, Patrick
• Top Quote – “That’s ‘Hall Monitor’ to you.” – SpongeBob

“Hall Monitor” single-handedly made hall monitors simultaneously a lot cooler and a lot geekier. SpongeBob gets so passionate about being the hall monitor that he becomes a maniac.

His passion for enforcing rules is inspiring, but he’s also a good example of what it’s like to let the power go to your head. But the best part of the episode is the end when Mrs. Puff gets arrested for the first, but far from the last, time.

20. Jellyfish Hunter – Season 2, Episode 39a

• Sister Episode – “The Fry Cook Games”
• Top Song – “Hey All You People”
• Featured Characters – Mr. Krabs, No Name, SpongeBob
• Top Quote – “I guess Gary forgot to pay the electric bill.” – SpongeBob

“Jellyfish Hunter” is a favorite of mine because I love the jellyfish episodes. It features the large, rare jellyfish named No Name. The whole episode gave me the creeps because of how Mr. Krabs treated the jellyfish, as it was my introduction to animal cruelty.

The episode also made me want to try jelly on a burger really bad, but I was never brave enough as a kid. Times have changed, and I’m sure many people have tried this, though I cannot confirm it’s ever been a hit.

19. No Weenies Allowed – Season 3, Episode 48a

• Sister Episode – “Squilliam Returns”
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – SpongeBob, Sandy, Patrick
• Top Quote – “I only cried for twenty minutes.” – SpongeBob

“No Weenies Allowed” is extremely quotable. It features SpongeBob’s weakness as a Sponge, despite this being contradicted in other episodes. In this episode, we focus on SpongeBob being a total wimp.

Most SpongeBob fans remember the quote about him only crying for 20 minutes and quote the “Super Weenie Hut Jr’s” line to their friends. The only downside is we never get to see inside the Salty Spitoon.

18. Ripped Pants – Season 1, Episode 2b

• Sister Episode – “Bubblestand”
• Top Song – “Ripped Pants”
• Featured Characters – SpongeBob, Larry
• Top Quote – “And now, with the addition of two, count ’em, two marshmallows.” – SpongeBob

“Ripped Pants” let us know early on that SpongeBob would be a hit show. We got the iconic Ripped Pants song just two episodes into the series when it was still the 1990s, and few people knew who SpongeBob was.

The episode is a roller coaster ride that goes from feeling sorry for SpongeBob to being annoyed by him to feeling a deep connection to him. The roller coaster really lets us know exactly what SpongeBob is all about.

17. Texas – Season 1, Episode 18a

• Sister Episode – “Walking Small”
• Top Song – “Texas”
• Featured Characters – Sandy
• Top Quote – “The stars at night are dull and dim, whenever they have to be over dumb ol’ stupid Texas!” – SpongeBob

As someone who lives in Texas, I’d sneak this episode in even if it wasn’t a fan favorite. But thankfully, “Texas” is another one people can’t get enough of. Since moving to Texas, I haven’t gone more than a few months without singing Sandy’s Texas song in full.

As funny as it is, the episode has a really great meaning too. The group makes fun of Sandy, who is homesick but eventually finds out how they really feel, which was a moment that just might make you cry as an adult.

16. Rock Bottom – Season 1, Episode 17b

• Sister Episode – “Arrgh!”
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – SpongeBob
• Top Quote – “This isn’t your average everyday darkness. This is advanced darkness.” – SpongeBob

“Rock Bottom” scared me when I was a kid, and it scares me a little now. SpongeBob gets left behind and taken to a scary version of Bikini Bottom called Rock Bottom. The whole thing is creepy yet so iconic.

If you read the premise of “Rock Bottom,” you probably won’t think much of it because it’s one of those episodes that is much more intense when watching it. If you had a fear of latex gloves as a kid, it’s probably because of this episode. Glove World isn’t real; Glove World can’t hurt you.

15. Boating School – Season 1, Episode 4b

• Sister Episode – “Naughty Nautical Neighbors”
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – Mrs. Puffs, SpongeBob, Patrick
• Top Quote – “1924…?” – SpongeBob

“Boating School” is the introductory episode to SpongeBob’s driving lessons. While Mrs. Puff’s Boating School is an important part of SpongeBob in the future episodes, this is the episode we meet the future convict.

We get to know Mrs. Puff well, from her anxiety and depression to her humor to her soft side. It was easy to fall in love with her in this episode, and I don’t think I was alone in this.

14. Just One Bite – Season 3, Episode 43b

• Sister Episode – “The Bully”
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – Squidward
• Top Quote – “It’ll go straight to your hips…and then you’ll blow up!” – SpongeBob

“Just One Bite” proves that everyone loves Krabby Patties. They may be the number one fictional food I’d like to try in real life. In the episode, Squidward tries one for the first time, and it takes him on a trip.

It’s a trip we all go on from a Krabby Patty wife to Squidward’s addiction going to his hips. Playing it back now, I’m not sure we should have watched this, but I don’t regret one minute of it.

13. Sleepytime – Season 1, Episode 15a

• Sister Episode – “Suds“
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – SpongeBob
• Top Quote – “In dreams, one is not tethered by earthly limitations.” – Gary

“Sleepytime” was a great episode where we get to see the subconscious mind of each of the characters. Almost everyone had a fairy predictable dream, with my favorite being Gary’s.

The concept for the episode is something I believe a lot of people have thought about. What if we could enter each others’ dreams at will? That could be a scary yet exciting adventure.

12. Graveyard Shift – Season 2, Episode 36b

• Sister Episode – “Krusty Love”
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – SpongeBob, Squidward
• Top Quote – “…at night.” – SpongeBob

“Graveyard Shift” is another killer episode, pun intended. This is the episode that features the Hash-Slinging Slasher, a serial killing fry cook that Squidward supposedly makes up.

Then, of course, the “at night” scene really sticks with you. But the real kicker comes during the last scene of the episode when it turns out who was the one playing tricks on the Krusty Krab employees, and somehow that’s canon.

11. Grandma’s Kisses – Season 2, Episode 26a

• Sister Episode – “Squidville”
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – Patrick, SpongeBob, Grandma SquarePants
• Top Quote – “Now say, ‘tax exemption.'” – Patrick

“Grandma’s Kisses” is the first time SpongeBob’s grandma appears and speaks. In the episode, SpongeBob is babied by his grandma, which causes everyone to make fun of him.

So he decides to grow up, which quickly backfires. I think the episode is a good one for kids to watch who can relate to SpongeBob and his want to grow up but his deep desire to be cared for.

10. Krusty Krab Training Video – Season 3, Episode 50b

• Sister Episode – “Wet Painters”
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs
• Top Quote – “P.O.O.P” – Narrator

“Krusty Krab Training Video” is a really unique episode because it played like a real training video. This is when we learned how to make the perfect KrabbynPatty, what P.O.O.P. means, and how to keep Plankton at bay.

I know some people didn’t like the format of this episode, but I think most people enjoyed the change of pace. Perhaps the jokes in this episode went over some fans’ heads, or maybe the jokes were just too dumb.

9. The Fry Cook Games – Season 2, Episode 39b

• Sister Episode – “Jellyfish Hunter”
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – Patrick, SpongeBob
• Top Quote – “You know, these were white when I bought them.” – Patrick

“The Fry Cook Games” is an exciting episode about none other than the Fry Cook Games. The episode shows Patrick becoming a fry cook to rival SpongeBob during the games.

But perhaps the most notorious part of the episode is when SpongeBob and Patrick get ripped. Their fight is so intense and hilarious that even if you don’t remember the episode, you’ll remember the spirit of the scene.

8. The Camping Episode – Season 3, Episode 57b

• Sister Episode – “Krabby Land”
• Top Song – “Campfire Song”
• Featured Characters – Squidward, Patrick, SpongeBob
• Top Quote – “Well, maybe it is stupid, but it’s also dumb!” – Patrick

“The Camping Episode” is further proof that a good song will make a SpongeBob episode skyrocket in popularity. I say this because I can’t imagine remembering the episode if the song didn’t exist.

Of course, the sea bear circle ritual is a great addition, but the campfire song really takes the cake. There are millions of kids who wouldn’t know how to spell campfire if it wasn’t for the Campfire Song.

7. Frankendoodle – Season 2, Episode 34b

• Sister Episode – “Welcome to the Chum Bucket”
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – SpongeBob, Frankdendoodle
• Top Quote – “Always bring a pencil sharpener.” – Narrator

“Frankendoodle” is one of the creepiest episodes of SpongeBob, which you may not notice is a trend in popular episodes. Name a popular episode that doesn’t have a boss song or a creepy vibe.

In Frankedoodle, we see SpongeBob’s doodle friend turned villain DoodleBob. The episode is what made me want the game Drawn to Life so bad when it came out six years later.

6. Idiot Box – Season 3, Episode 44b

• Sister Episode – “Nasty Patty“
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward
• Top Quote – “Imagination.” – SpongeBob

“Idiot Box” is the episode with the imagination box. I point this out because the most iconic scene is the one with SpongeBob making the imagination with his hands. I kid you not when I say that I quote this at least once a month.

The whole episode is worth the watch and is often ranked high on best episode lists. After all, explaining how SpongeBob and Patrick use the box and what happens to Squidward is much better watching firsthand.

5. SB-129 – Season 1, Episode 14a

• Sister Episode – “Karate Choppers”
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – Squidward
• Top Quote – “Ah, it is Sunday morning in Bikini Bottom, and Squidward is getting ready to practice on his clarinet… so get your earplugs out.” – Narrator

“SB-129” is one freaky episode. We get to see Squidward get frozen for 2000 years, which lets us see the future and past of SpongeBob SquarePants. While time travel isn’t always creepy, it was in SpongeBob.

The end leaves us not knowing what really happened or what will happen. But at least Squidward learns his lesson and begins to appreciate his friends at Bikini Bottom for a few seconds.

4. Pizza Delivery – Season 1, Episode 5a

• Sister Episode – “Home Sweet Pineapple”
• Top Song – “Krusty Krab Pizza”
• Featured Characters – SpongeBob, Squidward
• Top Quote – “It’s not just a boulder…it’s a rock.” – SpongeBob

“Pizza Delivery” is one of the best episodes of any cartoon in history. The absolute care SpongeBob has for getting that pizza to the customer shows exactly who the character is early on in the series.

But the best scene is the end, where we finally get to see a piece of Squidward that we desperately need to see at this point. And in case you forgot, “the Krusty Krab pizza is the pizza for you and me!”

3. Chocolate with Nuts – Season 3, Episode 52a

• Sister Episode – “Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy V”
• Top Song – No unique
• Featured Characters – Patrick, SpongeBob
• Top Quote – “I know, let’s get naked.” – Patrick

“Chocolate with Nuts” also creeped me out as a kid, but I still watched it on repeat. Something about the bags the chocolates came in and the one-liners, such as Patrick’s comment about getting naked, spoke to me.

The lengths they go to to try to sell chocolate is hilarious. But perhaps the reason I, and many others, loved this episode is because Incident 6 screaming “Chocolate!” the entire episode is just too relatable.

2. F.U.N. – Season 1, Episode 10b

• Sister Episode – “Culture Shock”
• Top Song – “F.U.N.”
• Featured Characters – SpongeBob, Plankton
• Top Quote – ‘Yes, and after all these years, I thought I was the master of torture. But that! That just wasn’t fair!” – Plankton

“F.U.N.” may be the most recognizable episode to non-fans. This is due to the amazing “F.U.N. Song” that gets stuck in my head worse than any other SpongeBob song in history.

There are plenty of other reasons the episode is a hit aside from the song. But if I had to guess, I’d say the ups and downs of where Plankton is morally and mentally is where it is at.

1. Band Geeks – Season 2, Episode 35b

• Sister Episode – “Culture Shock”
• Top Song – “Sweet Victory”
• Featured Characters – Squidward, Squilliam Fancyson
• Top Quote – “Is mayonnaise an instrument?” – Patrick

“Bank Geeks” is often considered the number one SpongeBob episode of all time, and I agree with that rating. It was one of the two episodes I had on my VideoNow and it was watched until the small disc was so scratched that it wouldn’t read.

The entire episode is full of amusing one-liners like, “These are some ugly-looking fish.” The fact that everyone comes together for Squidward is heartwarming, but the best scene in the show is the “Sweet Victory” performance.

Though the song was written years before the performance, it received a huge cult following after the release of “Band Geeks.”

FAQs

Favorite SpongeBob Episode

If your favorite episode of SpongeBob SquarePants didn’t make the cut, I apologize. There are over 300 episodes of SpongeBob, and with so many good ones, there’s no way I could catch all the best in a list like this.

After all, even some of my favorites didn’t make it. “Christmas Who” is a fantastic episode for Squidward, who is often painted in a bad light.

Then, of course, Striped Sweater from “As Seen on TV” was one of my favorite moments in SpongeBob history. Every episode of SpongeBob SquarePants is a gem, and that’s just a curse that Nickelodeon and listmakers like me will have to deal with.

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