1996: Stephen Hillenburg develops the concept for SpongeBob SquarePants,inspired by his background in marine biology and love for animation.
May 1, 1999: The first episode of SpongeBob SquarePants airs on Nickelodeon after being previewed post the Kids' Choice Awards.
July 17, 1999:July 17, 1999: The series officially premieres, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon.
November 19, 2004: The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie is released, initially intended to conclude the series, but its success leads to continued production.
July 14, 2009: The 10th anniversary is celebrated with special programming and a documentary titled Square Roots: The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants.
February 6, 2015: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water is released, blending live-action and animation.
March 4, 2021: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run premieres, becoming the third theatrical release in the franchise.
Ongoing (2025): A fourth film, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, is set for release