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Top Ten SpongeBob SquarePants Episodes

SpongeBob SquarePants is a beloved Nickelodeon cartoon show that did overstay its welcome pretty quickly, but when it was strong, it was truly terrific. That is why my top ten picks for the show’s best episodes all belong to the first couple of seasons as the rest never quite reached that level of quality unfortunately. Without further ado, these are ten best SpongeBob episodes with some honorable mentions.

10. Welcome to the Chum Bucket

SpongeBob is forced to work at the Chum Bucket where he annoys Plankton so much that he ends up spoiling all of his plans. This is one of the greatest Plankton episodes where he tries to steal the Krabby Patty formula in a really clever way, but of course hilariously fails to do so.

9. Snowball Effect

Squidward is my favorite character on this show, which is why most of this list will be populated with his episodes. This one is a classic where he at first refuses to play with SpongeBob and Patrick, but then very amusingly becomes obsessed with the game.

8. Can You Spare a Dime?

This is an underrated masterpiece of an episode where Squidward quits his job, becomes homeless and starts living with SpongeBob. He annoys him so much that the guy hilariously insinuates that he needs to get a job. It’s a switched formula that really worked here.

7. Opposite Day

This is probably the best of those episodes where SpongeBob and the rest manage to utterly destroy Squid’s chance at happiness and success. The concept worked here and in particular his plan was very amusing, but it of course backfired spectacularly in the end.

6. Tea at the Treedome

This season one episode remains the finest ever starring Sandy. This entire show is set underwater, but rarely has that been better explored than in here. Every single scenario was great and so entertaining while Sandy herself was highly memorable.

5. No Free Rides

Mrs. Puff is one of the best supporting players on this series and this season two episode is her greatest hour. We got a glimpse into her dark past and complicated psyche while the entire storyline is perfectly crafted and rising in tension and humor spectacularly.

4. Idiot Box

Idiot Box is a classic that is all about imagination. SpongeBob and Patrick have it, but Squidward does not have it. It was a simple premise that worked because following his frustrations was so funny and the ending was particularly brutal and memorable.

3. Squidville

Squidville gave us the first ever glimpse at other creatures similar to Squidward and their city. It’s also the very first time that we see just how much he cares for SpongeBob deep inside and that he values their dynamic and his different personality. It’s a great message for diversity.

2. Bubble Buddy

Ingenious is this episode that pulled the rug between audiences’ feet superbly. The twist ending where we realize that this buddy of SpongeBob’s made out of bubbles has been alive all along was incredible, and it was so funny seeing SpongeBob make a fool out of everybody.

1. Rock Bottom

Rock Bottom may not be among other people’s favorites, but it is unquestionably to me the best SpongeBob episode of them all. There are many reasons for this choice. One is the science behind it. The show’s creator is a marine biologist and this is one of the rare times that we got to see true science on the show with the abyssal zone looking gorgeous and very grounded in reality. Another reason for its greatness can be found in its dark atmosphere and a horror-based approach that successfully differentiates this excursion from every other on this comedy-based show. It’s incredibly imaginative, highly engaging and just great throughout.

Honorable Mentions:

Friend or Foe – This is a rare episode from the later seasons that is terrific. Here we saw the great backstory to the rivalry between Krabs and Plankton. It’s essential viewing.

Squilliam Returns – Squilliam’s best episode, it was wonderful how Squidward got his moment to shine in this rare positive experience for him.

Frankendoodle – Another very imaginative episode, the protagonist here draws a creature that becomes alive and a genuine villain. It’s incredibly memorable through and through.

Graveyard Shift – This is an atmospheric horror episode of sorts that benefits from terrific animation and attention to detail.

Nasty Patty – Another rare great episode from the later seasons, Nasty Patty is superbly crafted in terms of storytelling and full of fun twist and turns.