Which 2025 animated movie features SpongeBob SquarePants embarking on a perilous journey with the Flying Dutchman through the Underworld to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs and become a swashbuckler?

The animated movie that sees SpongeBob SquarePants embark on a daring adventure with the Flying Dutchman through the Underworld in 2025 is titled The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (Review). This film delves into SpongeBob's earnest desire to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs, hoping to earn the title of a true swashbuckler. His quest begins after he aspires to be as courageous as his boss, Mr. Krabs, who recounts tales of his own swashbuckling youth.

In this fourth theatrical installment of the beloved franchise, SpongeBob unintentionally summons the ghostly pirate, the Flying Dutchman. The Dutchman, cursed to eternally roam the Underworld, sees an opportunity in SpongeBob's innocent soul to break his curse and regain his mortality. He invites SpongeBob, along with Patrick Star, to join his crew, promising to help SpongeBob achieve his dream of becoming a swashbuckler. This sets the stage for a perilous journey through the deepest depths of the sea, a fantastical Underworld filled with monstrous challenges designed to test SpongeBob's mettle.

The movie offers an engaging narrative about courage and self-discovery, as SpongeBob confronts his fears and navigates the supernatural (Review) realm alongside the enigmatic Flying Dutchman, voiced by Mark Hamill. While SpongeBob believes he is undertaking trials to become a brave swashbuckler like Mr. Krabs, the Dutchman has his own ulterior motives. Eventually, a regretful Mr. Krabs, along with Squidward and Gary, embarks on a rescue mission to save SpongeBob from the Dutchman's clutches. The film, initially conceived as a direct-to-streaming feature focusing on Mr. Krabs, was later re-tooled into a theatrical release with SpongeBob as the central hero, promising audiences a grand and adventurous cinematic experience.