The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants follows SpongeBob's quest to prove his bravery and become a "big guy" after realizing he's tall enough for a roller coaster but too afraid to ride. He embarks on an adventure with the Flying Dutchman, encountering familiar characters and the franchise's signature silliness. While praised for its nostalgia and sincerity, some reviews note the film plays it safe with a conventional quest narrative, lacking the anarchic unpredictability of earlier installments.