“Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie,” the latest installment from the beloved SpongeBob SquarePants universe, has become the most-watched movie on Netflix worldwide and in the US.
According to FlixPatrol, the film, which was released on August 2, has risen to the top of the most-streamed list in only a day, both worldwide and in the US. The film has dethroned other titles such as “Failure To Launch” and “Non Negotiable” (globally), and “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” (US).
Directed by Liza Johnson and written by Tom Stern and Kaz, this 2024 live-action/animated adventure comedy brings a fresh twist to the underwater antics we all adore, marking the first of what promises to be a series of character-focused spin-offs.
Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie triumphs despite mixed reviews
In this delightful romp, our favorite squirrel scientist Sandy Cheeks, alongside SpongeBob, embarks on a heroic quest to save Bikini Bottom from the clutches of a villainous CEO. The adventure takes them to Sandy’s home state of Texas, where they rally her family to help rescue Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, and the rest of the gang.
The characters are voiced by Johnny Knoxville, Craig Robinson, Grey DeLisle, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Matty Cardarople, and Wanda Sykes. And, with the highly-successful release on streaming, fans of the SpongeBob Universe can expect more spin-offs.
After the release of The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020), ViacomCBS had greenlit several SpongeBob spin-offs for streaming. By May 2021, Sandy Cheeks was chosen to lead the first one.
What are critics saying about the film?
While Saving Bikini Bottom has garnered mixed reviews, there’s plenty for fans to celebrate. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 56% approval rating from nine critics. Catherine Bray of The Guardian praised its entertainment value, awarding it three out of five stars and highlighting its appeal to younger audiences. “For general viewers, it may not pack as much of an emotional punch, but like SpongeBob himself, it’s thoroughly absorbing,” she noted.
Tessa Smith of Mama’s Geeky also had positive feedback, particularly enjoying its humor, animation, and story. She remarked, “The movie delivers the same type of jokes that SpongeBob fans are used to, but it also tells a heartwarming story and allows viewers to finally meet Sandy and see where she comes from.”
On the flip side, Adam Graham of The Detroit News gave the film a C grade, critiquing it for being overly busy and undercooked. Barry Levitt of The Daily Beast was less forgiving, lamenting the sidelining of main characters and the lackluster animation and script. He summed up his review with, “Sandy has always been a delightful if underappreciated part of Bikini Bottom, but the movie fails to give her the spotlight she rightfully deserves. Its initial promise is washed out by cheap jokes, an uninspired plot, and off-putting animation.”
