SpongeBob SquarePants has reached another milestone in television history by becoming the longest-running animated children's show of all time, surpassing the previous record held by PBS Kids' Arthur.
The beloved Nickelodeon series, which began its 25th-anniversary celebration last year, continues strong production with no signs of slowing down. This achievement marks a notable moment in animation history, as SpongeBob overtakes Arthur's impressive run of 25 seasons across 26 years.
Arthur concluded its run in 2022 with a memorable finale that showed its characters as adults, with the titular character becoming an illustrator of his childhood adventures. Meanwhile, SpongeBob SquarePants keeps expanding its universe through multiple shows, feature films, and other media content.
While the main series has produced 15 seasons so far, the franchise continues to grow. Fans can look forward to "Plankton: The Movie" arriving on Netflix on March 7th, featuring the talents of original cast members including Mr. Lawrence, Jill Talley, Tom Kenny, and Bill Fagerbakke.
Adding to the excitement, "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie: Search for SquarePants" is scheduled for theatrical release on December 19th. The film will spotlight the Flying Dutchman's Ghost, with Mark Hamill taking over the voice role previously performed by Brian-Doyle Murray.
This record-breaking achievement reinforces SpongeBob SquarePants' enduring popularity and its special place in animation history. As the show maintains its steady production schedule and expands into new projects, it appears this record will remain secure for years to come.