<P> The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water is a 2015 American 3D live - action / animated comedy film based on the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants . A stand - alone sequel to The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004), it was directed by former series showrunner Paul Tibbitt in his directorial debut, with live - action sequences directed by Mike Mitchell . It was the first film to be produced by Paramount Animation and the second film in the SpongeBob SquarePants film series . The film stars Antonio Banderas and features the show's regular voice cast, who returned to reprise their respective roles from the series and the previous film . This movie takes place during the ninth season of SpongeBob SquarePants . The plot follows a pirate named Burger Beard, who steals the Krabby Patty secret formula using a magical book that makes any text written upon it come true . SpongeBob and his friends must travel to the surface to confront Burger Beard and get the formula back . </P> <P> The film was written by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger from a story conceived by SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg and Tibbitt . Like the first film, the final act places the animated characters in a live - action world . These scenes were shot in various locations throughout Savannah, Georgia and Tybee Island . Filming began on October 9, 2013 and completed in November 2013 . The film is dedicated to Ernest Borgnine, the original voice of Mermaid Man, who died in 2012 . </P> <P> The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water was released in the United States on February 6, 2015 and received generally positive reviews . The film grossed over $325 million worldwide against its $74 million budget, making it the fifth - highest - grossing animated film of 2015 . </P> <P> A third film, titled The SpongeBob Movie: It's a Wonderful Sponge, is scheduled to be released on July 17, 2020 . </P>

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