The Best 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Seasons, Ranked

Updated April 25, 2024 11 items

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2.1K votes

410 voters

All the seasons of SpongeBob SquarePants have been great, but which seasons really stand out? After introducing viewers to SpongeBob, Patrick and their world under the sea in season one, the series expands its focus to the adventures of the other residents of Bikini Bottom in later seasons. Some of the most memorable episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants come from different seasons, so picking the top season isn't easy. To determine once and for all what the best seasons of SpongeBob SquarePants are, let's rank every SpongeBob SquarePants season from best to worst.

SpongeBob SquarePants is an animated comedy series that has aired on Nickelodeon since 1999. It was created by Stephen Hillenburg and features an all-star cast of voice actors including Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, and Rodger Bumpass.

Vote up your favorite seasons of SpongeBob SquarePants, and vote down any bad seasons that you really didn't enjoy, despite how much you loved any individual episodes. It can be painful to put one SpongeBob SquarePants season over the other when there are so many good ones, which is why you can vote on however many seasons you like.

Photo: SpongeBob SquarePants / Nickelodeon
1
278 VOTES
SpongeBob SquarePants - Season 3
The third season of SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on March 22, 2002 and contains 20 episodes. This season finds the gang defending the secret of the Krabby Patty secret formula.

This season features several unforgettable episodes including: "Chocolate with Nuts," "The Sponge Who Could Fly" and "Pranks a Lot."

Memorable moments from Season Three include:
- SpongeBob throws a party.
- SpongeBob and Patrick become entrepreneurs.
- Patchy the Pirate finds a lost episode.
Notable SpongeBob Season 3 guest appearances:
- Rodney Bingenheimer as DJ (episode 9a).
- Lux Interior as lead Bird Brain (episode 11).
- Frank Welker as Gorilla (episode 16b).
278 votes
Photo: SpongeBob SquarePants / Nickelodeon
2
274 VOTES
SpongeBob SquarePants - Season 2
The second season of SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on November 2, 2000 and contains 20 episodes. This season finds SpongeBob and Patrick having more adventures in Bikini Bottom.

This season features several unforgettable episodes including: "Christmas Who?," "Band Geeks" and "Sailor Mouth."

Memorable moments from Season Two include:
- SpongeBob learns the meaning of Christmas.
- Squidward plays the Bubble Bowl.
- SpongeBob works the late-shift.
Notable SpongeBob Season 2 guest appearances:
- Corky Carroll as Grubby Grouper (episode 3b).
- Marion Ross as Grandma SquarePants (episode 6a).
- Charles Nelson Reilly as the Dirty Bubble (episode 20b).
274 votes
Photo: SpongeBob SquarePants / Nickelodeon
3
243 VOTES
SpongeBob SquarePants - Season 1
The first season of SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on May 1, 1999 and contains 20 episodes. This season introduces viewers to SpongeBob, Patrick and their world under the sea and was the only season to be produced using cel animation.

This season features several unforgettable episodes including: "Help Wanted," "Pizza Delivery" and "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy II."

Memorable moments from Season one include:
- SpongeBob becomes a Krusty Krab employee.
- SpongeBob and Squidward get lost in the desert.
- SpongeBob reaches "Rock Bottom."
Notable SpongeBob Season 1 guest appearances:
- Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway as Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy (episode 6a).
- John O'Hurley as King Neptune (episode 19b).
- Charles Nelson Reilly as the Dirty Bubble (episode 20b).
243 votes
Photo: SpongeBob SquarePants / Nickelodeon
4
203 VOTES
SpongeBob SquarePants - Season 4
The fourth season of SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on May 6, 2005 and contains 20 episodes. This season marks the departure of the show's creator, Stephen Hillenburg.

This season features several unforgettable episodes including: "Have You Seen This Snail," "Dunces and Dragons" and "Best Day Ever."

Memorable moments from Season Four include:
- SpongeBob and Patrick joust.
- Gary runs away.
- SpongeBob makes his own Squidward.
Notable SpongeBob Season 4 guest appearances:
- Amy Poehler as The Old Lady, Stew (episode 3).
- Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway as Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy (episode 7b).
- Pat Morita as Master Udon (episode 11b).
203 votes
Photo: SpongeBob SquarePants / Nickelodeon
5
186 VOTES
SpongeBob SquarePants - Season 5
The fifth season of SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on April 13, 2007 and contains 20 episodes. This season features several great guest voice actors including Patton Oswalt, Mark Hamill and Ray Liotta.

This season features several unforgettable episodes including: "Friend or Foe," "Atlantis SquarePantis" and "Pest of the West."

Memorable moments from Season Five include:
- SpongeBob and Patrick go to prison.
- SpongeBob moves away.
- Patrick writes a song.
Notable SpongeBob Season 5 guest appearances:
- Patton Oswalt as Jim (episode 2a).
- David Bowie as Lord Royal Highness (episode 12).
- Christopher Guest as Stanley S. SquarePants (episode 20b).
186 votes
Photo: SpongeBob SquarePants / Nickelodeon
6
191 VOTES
SpongeBob SquarePants - Season 9
The ninth season of SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on July 21, 2012 and contains 22 episodes. This season featured several guest voice actors including Johnny Knoxville, Biz Markie and Michael McKean.

This season features several unforgettable episodes including: "Extreme Spots," "Don't Look Now" and "Factory Fress."

Memorable moments from Season Nine include:
- SpongeBob gets a pair of new jeans.
- Patrick invents a board game.
- SpongeBob and Patrick try out some extreme sports.
Notable SpongeBob Season 9 guest appearances:
- Biz Markie as Kenny the Cat (episode 10a).
- Bob Barker as Bob Barnacle (episode 15a).
- Jon Hamm as Don Grouper (episode 22).
191 votes
Photo: SpongeBob SquarePants / Nickelodeon
7
175 VOTES
SpongeBob SquarePants - Season 11
The eleventh season of SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on September 23, 2017 and contains 26 episodes. This season finds SpongeBob contending with a sea bunny and a flock of clams.

This season features several unforgettable episodes including: "Man Ray Returns," "The Legend of Boo-Kini Bottom" and "Fun-Sized Friends."

Memorable moments from Season Eleven include:
- Plankton poses as a genie.
- SpongeBob goes stop-motion.
- Squidward helps Patrick's lemonade stand.
Notable SpongeBob Season 11 guest appearances:
- Jeff Garlin as Cuddle E. Hugs (episode 10a).
- Brian Doyle-Murray as The Flying Dutchman (episode 17b).
- Lewis Black as Santa Claus (episode 22).
175 votes
Photo: SpongeBob SquarePants / Nickelodeon
8
167 VOTES
SpongeBob SquarePants - Season 10
The tenth season of SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on October 15, 2016 and contains 11 episodes. This season was the first not to involve former showrunner Paul Tibbitt.

This season features several unforgettable episodes including: "Whirly Brains," "Snooze You Lose" and "Feral Friends."

Memorable moments from Season Ten include:
- SpongeBob and Patrick pretend to be Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy
- SpongeBob opens his own restaurant.
- SpongeBob shrinks himself.
Notable SpongeBob Season 10 guest appearances:
- Ed Asner as the Angry Old Timer (episode 1a).
- J. K. Simmons as Maestro Mackerel (episode 4a).
- Steve Buscemi as Dorsal Dan and Joe Pantoliano as Sticky Fins (episode 9a).
167 votes
Photo: SpongeBob SquarePants / Nickelodeon
9
173 VOTES
SpongeBob SquarePants - Season 8
The eighth season of SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on July 18, 2011 and contains 26 episodes. This season featured several guest voice actors including John Goodman, Andy Samberg and Chris Elliot.

This season features several unforgettable episodes including: "It's a SpongeBob Christmas!," "Demolition Doofus" and "Hello Bikini Bottom."

Memorable moments from Season Eight include:
- Squidward quits the Krusty Krab.
- SpongeBob and Patrick start a band.
- SpongeBob competes in a demolition derby.
Notable SpongeBob Season 8 guest appearances:
- Chris Elliott as Lord Poltergeist (episode10).
- John Goodman as Santa Claus (episode 23).
- Andy Samberg as Colonel Carper (episode 26).
173 votes
Photo: SpongeBob SquarePants / Nickelodeon
10
181 VOTES
SpongeBob SquarePants - Season 6
The sixth season of SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on June 6, 2008 and contains 26 episodes. This season features several great guest voice actors including Johnny Depp, Victoria Beckham and Dennis Quaid.

This season features several unforgettable episodes including: "SpongeBob SquarePants vs. The Big One," "To SquarePants or Not to SquarePants" and "The Clash of Triton."

Memorable moments from Season Six include:
- Vikings kidnap Squidward and SpongeBob.
- Sponge Bob wears round pants.
- The gang gets stuck in a freezer at the Krusty Krab.
Notable SpongeBob Season 6 guest appearances:
- Johnny Depp as Jack Kahuna Laguna (episode 11).
- Ian McShane as Gordon (episode 14a).
- Dee Snider as Angry Jack (episode 21b).
181 votes
Photo: SpongeBob SquarePants / Nickelodeon
11
188 VOTES
SpongeBob SquarePants - Season 7
The seventh season of SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on July 19, 2009 and contains 26 episodes. This season found the show winning the Favorite Cartoon award at the 2010 Kids' Choice Awards.

This season features several unforgettable episodes including: "SpongeBob's Last Stand," "The Great Patty Caper" and "Perfect Chemistry."

Memorable moments from Season Seven include:
- Pearl goes through a growth spurt.
- SpongeBob goes a day without crying.
- Squidward falls in love.
Notable SpongeBob Season 7 guest appearances:
- Adam West and Burt Ward as young Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy (episode 9a).
- Kristen Wiig as Madame Hagfish (episode 15a).
- Amy Sedaris as Ma Angler (episode 16a).
188 votes