Netflix's New SpongeBob SquarePants Movie Finally Answers A 25-Year-Old Sandy Cheeks Mystery (2024)

The new SpongeBob SquarePants film Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie reveals an unknown trait about Sandy. The new film was recently released on Netflix and quickly jumped to the top of the streaming platform's Top 10 Movies list, although it is currently fighting to regain first place over Tom Cruise's Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. It features Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy, Tom Kenny as SpongeBob, and Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs.

Saving Bikini Bottom is the first SponeBob movie directed by Liza Johnson, whose other directorial efforts include The Diplomat, The Last of Us, What We Do in the Shadows, Silicon Valley,Barry, and more. Despite Johnson's undeniable talent, Saving Bikini Bottom was given a Rotten Tomatoes critic score of just 55% and a low audience score of 29%. The next SpongeBob movie Search For Squarepants is set for a December 2025 release while SpongeBob season 15 is still in development.

Netflix's Saving Bikini Bottom Movie Officially Confirms Sandy Cheeks' Squirrel Species

This is the first time it's been revealed in 25-year history

The new Netflix SpongeBob movie Saving Bikini Bottom reveals that Sandy is actually a flying squirrel. This comes as a major surprise to SpongeBob as he falls through the sky in the new film. Sandy saves the day by going after SpongeBob and putting him on her back, opening up her never-before-seen wings and parachuting at a much steadier and controlled pace. SpongeBob exclaims, "Wow! Sandy, you never told me you were a flying squirrel!"

Sandy explains to SpongeBob, "Well, actually, it's more like gliding. But I don't like to brag. And, uh, it gives me jiggly arm flaps." Sandy had apparently been equally insecure and modest about her true identity as a flying squirrel, which is why she never made it a point to bring it up to SpongeBob or anyone else throughout the several previous movies and more than 300 episodes of the original series. Fortunately for SpongeBob, Sandy showed her secret ability at the right time.

SpongeBob SquarePants Hiding Sandy Cheeks' Flying Squirrel Species For So Long Makes Sense

She never really has a good reason to reveal her secret ability beforehand

While it seems like a long overdue revelation that Sandy was actually a flying squirrel this entire time, it makes sense why it was never revealed until Saving Bikini Bottom: A Sandy Cheeks Movie came out. With the movie taking a more intentional focus on Sandy than previous SpongeBob movies, there were bound to be some additional details added to her character. Additionally, with the vast majority of SpongeBob SquarePants taking place underwater, Sandy wouldn't ever really have had an opportunity to fly, and it would be rare for her to do so in her domed home.

Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie

Comedy

Animation

After Bikini Bottom is taken out of the ocean on the order of an evil CEO, SpongeBob and Sandy travel to the latter's home state of Texas. There, they meet up with Sandy's family and must find a way to return their home to the sea.

Director

Liza Johnson

Release Date

August 2, 2024

Writers

Kaz , Tom Stern

Cast

Carolyn Lawrence , Tom Kenny , Mr. Lawrence , Mary Jo Catlett , Clancy Brown , Bill fa*gerbakke , Rodger Bumpass

Character(s)

Sandy Cheeks , SpongeBob SquarePants , Plankton , Mrs. Puff , Mr. Krabs , Patrick Star , Squidward

Runtime

82 Minutes

Main Genre

Comedy