Plankton: The Movie

Plankton: The Movie follows the pint-sized schemer when his long-running domestic life with Karen, his sentient computer wife, ruptures. After years of one-sided plots to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula and win recognition, Karen announces she has bigger plans—ones that leave Plankton out of the picture. As her intentions escalate toward planet-scale consequences, Plankton scrambles between old habits, awkward remorse, and frantic attempts to stop a partner who no longer wants him. The film leans into slapstick capers and surreal set pieces, while keeping the story focused on an unlikely household in turmoil, without giving away how their conflict ultimately resolves.

Directed by Dave Needham and released in 2025, the film builds on characters created by Mr. Lawrence, Stephen Hillenburg, and Kaz. The voice cast features Mr. Lawrence, Tom Kenny, Jill Talley, Bill Fagerbakke, and Rodger Bumpass, bringing familiar tones to this expanded spinoff.

The movie opened theatrically to family audiences and found a steady run at the box office for an animated niche spinoff. Its theatrical window was complemented by timely streaming availability and merchandise tie-ins, which helped keep it visible across platforms despite not being a blockbuster.

Critical reaction skewed mixed to positive, reflected in an audience vote average around 6.8 out of 10 from online polls. Reviewers tended to single out the voice performances and rapid-fire jokes as highlights. Some critics felt the shifts between broad comedy and darker ideas left the tone unsettled. Key themes include marital frustration, autonomy within relationships, and unintended consequences when technology gains its own agenda.

Culturally, the film shifted attention onto a secondary franchise character and prompted conversation about Karen's personhood and consent. Fans produced memes, fan art, and debates about the franchise's willingness to mix uneasy humor with family-friendly slapstick, helping Plankton take on a more prominent place in the series' ongoing cultural footprint.