We need a sponge to soak up these tears. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most tear-jerking moments courtesy of our Bikini Bottom pals in both the movies and the TV show.
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00:00 "What is he doing? All these tears? And the show tunes?"
00:05 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most tear-jerking moments
00:10 courtesy of our Bikini Bottom pals in both the movies and the TV show. Expect spoilers ahead.
00:17 "We did alright for a couple of goofballs."
00:21 Number 20. Goodbye Bikini Bottom.
00:26 A nematode infestation has completely devoured SpongeBob's pineapple,
00:31 leaving the forlorn sponge without a home.
00:34 He tries to rebuild or even move in with his neighbors, but nothing works.
00:38 "No. What the?"
00:52 So SpongeBob is forced to move back in with his parents. On the day he's about to leave,
00:57 he gives one last tearful goodbye to what remains of his home. It's devastating. Miraculously,
01:03 those tears are just what he needs to grow a new pineapple, allowing him to stay in Bikini
01:08 Bottom forever. We're glad this story has a happy ending because the prospect of SpongeBob
01:13 leaving town forever is heartbreaking. Poor Patrick was just like us, completely distraught
01:19 at the thought.
01:21 "Come on SpongeBob!"
01:22 "Goodbye Patrick."
01:23 "Goodbye Bikini Bottom."
01:27 Number 19. Ugly SpongeBob.
01:30 SpongeBob can't seem to understand why nobody can stand to be around him, and starts believing that
01:36 it's because he's ugly. Patrick tries to cheer him up and make him feel ugly and proud, but to no
01:43 avail.
01:43 "I'm ugly."
01:44 "You're ugly and what?"
01:46 "Square?"
01:48 "No, proud."
01:51 "I'm ugly and I'm proud."
01:52 He can fake being proud and confident all he wants, but it can't hide the pain he feels inside,
01:58 and seeing him so self-conscious and upset is just heart-wrenching. Even Patrick is enraged
02:05 at the idea that people would reject him for being ugly.
02:08 "Look at it! Look at it! Look at it! Look at it! I want all of you to look at it!"
02:15 Fortunately, it turns out that people were avoiding him because of his bad breath,
02:19 and thankfully, SpongeBob can take that in stride.
02:23 Number 18. Holiday Heartbreak.
02:26 It's Bikini Bottom's very first Christmas, and SpongeBob is elated to share the fun with
02:32 everyone. However, Santa Claus ends up being a no-show, and SpongeBob is left reeling in a
02:37 moment that breaks us. Squidward's teasing, of course, only makes it worse.
02:42 "Say Santa Claus!"
02:44 "Santa Claus!"
02:46 "Aw."
02:49 Despite his heartache, he still finds it in himself to give the octopus a thoughtful gift,
02:54 which makes the already brutal scene even sadder. No one should be miserable during the holidays,
03:00 especially when they embody yuletide cheer. Thankfully, in a truly heartwarming display,
03:06 Squidward later dresses up as Santa to fix things,
03:09 again showing that even he has a soft side for his chipper neighbor.
03:13 "Thank you for bringing Christmas to Bikini Bottom."
03:17 "I didn't bring Christmas to Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob. You did."
03:22 Number 17. Squidward Hits Rock Bottom.
03:25 Tired of putting up with Mr. Krabs' nonsense, Squidward finally quits his job at the Krusty
03:30 Krab. At first, it looks like the world is his oyster, and he's free to pursue his dreams.
03:36 But soon, the poor cephalopod finds himself in dire straits.
03:40 "Spare change. Spare change, ma'am."
03:44 "Squidward? Squidward, is that you?"
03:46 He has no job, no home, and even had to consume his artwork just to survive.
03:52 Seeing him break down in tears only makes it more tragic, knowing how far he's fallen.
03:58 Of course, SpongeBob doesn't hesitate to offer his grumpy neighbor a home.
04:02 Unfortunately, Squidward ends up taking advantage of his poorest friend.
04:06 Still, it doesn't change how difficult it is to watch him at his lowest.
04:09 "And why aren't you in uniform?"
04:16 "It's about time you got here!"
04:18 Number 16. I'm Ready Depression.
04:22 At the start of the 2004 film, SpongeBob is readier than he's ever been.
04:26 It's the day the Krusty Krab 2 opens its doors, and he's a shoo-in to be promoted.
04:32 Sadly, Squidward is chosen as manager instead because, in Mr. Krabs' words,
04:37 "SpongeBob is just a kid."
04:39 Thus, our normally chipper young sea sponge falls into a deep depression,
04:43 and his reaction just wrecks us.
04:46 "You did not get the job!"
04:50 "But why?"
04:53 He then ends up eating far too much ice cream, numbing the pain temporarily.
04:58 Seeing SpongeBob intoxicated is unnerving on its own.
05:01 "Waiter! Waiter! Waiter!"
05:09 Plus, the circumstances are just unfair.
05:12 Anyone who's lost a promotion opportunity because they're not mature enough can sympathize with this,
05:17 especially since SpongeBob works harder than any employee in the universe.
05:21 Number 15. The Rude Customer.
05:25 SpongeBob and Squidward have been traversing what feels like half the ocean to deliver a
05:29 Krabby Patty pizza. The journey is long and harrowing, but SpongeBob is determined to
05:35 bring the customer their food. Yet when they arrive, said customer just berates the yellow
05:40 guy for not bringing him a beverage, one he apparently didn't even order.
05:44 "But you didn't order any."
05:45 "How am I supposed to eat this pizza without my drink?"
05:49 SpongeBob gives more than 100% in everything he does, and the suggestion that he failed a
05:55 customer, even after going through hell and back, is too much to bear. So he breaks down in tears,
06:02 and we do the same. It's a good thing Squidward gives the customer a piece of his mind,
06:06 because otherwise the moment would be too unbearably upsetting.
06:10 "Look, I told your little friend I ain't paying for that!"
06:12 "Well, this one's on the-"
06:14 Number 14. Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy Reunite.
06:19 "Krabby Patty is too big for you. You'll never finish it."
06:23 "Don't you see what you're doing? You're treating me like a child."
06:26 Sick of being infantilized, Barnacle Boy turns to the dark side as Barnacle Man.
06:31 He manages to defeat Mermaid Man and issues some pretty simple demands.
06:36 "And number three!"
06:38 "Come on, domination!"
06:40 "I want an adult-sized Krabby Patty."
06:42 "Did you hear him say anything about eating dirt?"
06:45 He then offers a hand of friendship, which his companion tearfully accepts,
06:50 and the dynamic duo is reunited. This heartwarming moment is much more painful
06:54 to look back on nowadays, given the passing of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy's actors,
07:00 Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway. Seeing the heroes reunite feels symbolic,
07:05 and carries extra emotional weight, epitomizing the legacy they left behind
07:09 in their careers and the franchise itself.
07:12 Number 13. 62 Cents.
07:16 Mr. Krabs has gotten himself into some major hot water with the Flying Dutchman this time,
07:20 but before he can be dragged off to Davy Jones's locker,
07:24 Spongebob bravely stands up for his boss.
07:27 "This Mr. Krabs is the most generous, big-hearted, non-skin-flinted crab in the whole sea."
07:33 And how does Mr. Krabs repay him? By trading the fry cook's soul for 62 cents.
07:39 The fact that Mr. Krabs doesn't even think twice before selling out his most loyal employee,
07:44 even after he defended him, is just depressing.
07:47 Really hammering home how low Krabs has sunk is the fact that Squidward,
07:52 of all people, calls him out.
07:53 "He stuck up for you and you sold him out? You should be ashamed of yourself!"
07:59 We know he's loyal to his wallet, but this is just disheartening.
08:03 Krabs learns his lesson in the end, but it does little to undo the hurt caused.
08:07 Number 12. Growing Up.
08:10 Spongebob loves visiting his grandma, but when the town's folks start teasing him for being a baby,
08:15 he decides to grow up with no more baby stuff. Unfortunately, adult life isn't all that it's
08:20 cracked up to be, and Spongebob throws a hysterical crying fit wanting to be a baby again.
08:29 The rant is kind of hilarious to watch at first, but it gets progressively more upsetting,
08:34 because Spongebob's convinced that he's too old for his grandma's kisses. And it's especially
08:39 sad to those who are under the mindset that you're too old to enjoy the things you loved as a child.
08:44 "Take it easy, Spongebob!"
08:46 Fortunately, Grandma Squarepants is there to remind us all that being an adult doesn't
08:52 mean you have to grow up completely.
08:54 "No matter how grown up you get, you will always be my little baby boy."
08:59 Number 11. Thanks for Nothing.
09:01 Squidward gets a chance to have his marching band perform at the Bubble Bowl,
09:05 except he doesn't have a band. He rallies the town's folk and tries to turn them into a band,
09:10 and fails miserably. With all hope seemingly lost, Squidward just gives up,
09:15 telling them all not to bother showing up for the big day, and just tearfully says,
09:20 "Thanks for nothing."
09:21 "Don't bother showing up tomorrow. I'll just tell them you all died in a marching accident."
09:28 It's already been established that Squidward is the show's punching bag,
09:31 but seeing his one chance at happiness crushed is just heartbreaking. However,
09:36 it makes his triumph at the end all the more deserved when the gang finally comes together
09:40 to make him proud and perform sweet victory, which itself could draw a few happy tears.
09:46 "It's all for the fight!"
09:50 Number 10. April Fool's Jerk.
09:53 It's April Fool's Day in Bikini Bottom, and Squidward's had enough of SpongeBob's practical
09:58 jokes. He decides to show the little fry cook a real prank via a spring-loaded trap that sends
10:04 him flying all over the Krusty Krab before landing in a garbage can.
10:07 Feeling battered and humiliated, SpongeBob runs home with tears in his eyes,
10:20 and naturally, everyone is disgusted with Squidward's prank, and we can't say we blame them.
10:25 "Come on! Come on! You guys know I was just kidding, right?"
10:30 "Oh man, poor kid."
10:34 All SpongeBob was doing was playing silly, harmless pranks for fun,
10:38 but a certain cephalopod decided to escalate things and make the little square dude cry.
10:43 Fortunately, Squidward's conscience forces him to apologize,
10:47 right before SpongeBob gets a little taste of revenge.
10:50 "But you have to promise not to tell anybody."
10:52 "I promise."
10:53 "Really?"
10:53 Number 9. SpongeBob in the Wild
10:59 SpongeBob has been daydreaming about living among the jellyfish,
11:03 and decides to prove that he can last more than one day in the wild.
11:07 His friends all scoff at his decision, except for Patrick, who feels utterly betrayed that his best
11:12 friend basically abandons him. He spends over half the episode in tears, begging his buddy to come
11:18 home. "Patrick, saved!"
11:22 Meanwhile, SpongeBob learns the hard way that being a jellyfish isn't that great. While it's
11:27 nice to have a change of scenery sometimes, he had a wonderful life and friends, but he
11:32 gave it all up just to end up being miserable. "Buzz. Buzz. No. Sandy."
11:42 Fortunately, he comes to his senses and returns to the modern world,
11:45 and his friends happily welcome him back. Even Squidward. Somewhat.
11:50 Number 8. Squidward's Depression
11:52 SpongeBob has been trying and failing to find Squidward his happiest memory,
11:58 but all his attempts only cause more grief for the unhappy cephalopod.
12:02 Before long, Squidward falls into a heavy depression. He's stopped taking care of
12:06 himself and his house, he doesn't go outside anymore, and he wallows in his own misery.
12:13 "I might as well go to bed for a hundred years or so."
12:17 This hits uncomfortably close to home for those dealing with similar mental health issues.
12:23 It doesn't help that Squidward's the show's martyr, and the harmful imagery only makes
12:28 it more unsettling to sit through. "I just can't seem to get happy."
12:32 "Well, that didn't help."
12:37 He eventually finds happiness again. After mauling several papier-mâché SpongeBob replicas
12:43 in a rampage. So, SpongeBob did help in some sense.
12:47 Number 7. SpongeBob's Final Hours
12:50 For Employee Brotherhood Day, Squidward buys SpongeBob a pie. Except, it turns out to be
12:57 an explosive. Thinking that SpongeBob's time is running out, Squidward takes it upon himself to
13:02 give his co-worker the best final day anyone could have, going all out. The day ends with
13:08 the two watching the sunset, where Squidward guiltily breaks down sobbing.
13:12 "Three... two... one!"
13:20 Though his chipper neighbor annoys him to no end, he never wanted to cause his death.
13:24 We also fall apart watching, wondering if these really are our beloved protagonist's final
13:30 moments. Don't worry, SpongeBob is fine since he never ate the pie. But the distress beforehand
13:35 is all too real, and has us reaching for the tissues.
13:39 "Let's eat! Oops!"
13:45 Number 6. Goodbye, Mr. Best Friend
13:52 SpongeBob and Patrick have been best friends forever. They've even joined the Best Friends
13:57 Forever Club. However, when Patrick becomes intelligent thanks to some brain coral,
14:01 their friendship is on the rocks.
14:03 "I know we've had fun in the past, but we're just not compatible anymore. It's time we went
14:10 our separate ways." Patrick believes that they've just grown apart and have to go their separate
14:15 ways, which naturally breaks poor SpongeBob's heart.
14:19 "At least Patrick's my friend in my memories."
14:22 The idea of the dynamic duo splitting up is just too much to bear. Even Patrick regrets
14:27 his decision as he tearfully looks back at the glory days before his newfound intellect.
14:31 Thankfully, Patrick quickly learns that knowledge can't replace friendship,
14:35 and happily gives up his new brain power just to keep his little buddy.
14:39 Number 5. Sandy's Texas Song
14:42 Being a squirrel out of water, or underwater in this case, Sandy starts to feel homesick
14:48 for Texas. She misses her old home so much that she pulls out her guitar and strums out
14:52 a melancholic country tune.
14:54 "Wish I was back in Texas. The ocean's no place for a squirrel."
15:03 A song so powerful that anyone who hears it is brought to tears.
15:09 She almost considers leaving Bikini Bottom until SpongeBob convinces her to stay,
15:13 with a surprise party and her own little slice of Texas.
15:16 "Homemade peas in a can pies, and we got our very own 10 gallon hats."
15:24 "So what do you think? You gonna stay?"
15:25 Anyone who's been plagued with homesickness can relate to Sandy here,
15:29 but it's important to find a way to make your current residence feel like home.
15:32 And if Sandy ever had to leave this underwater paradise and all of her friends,
15:36 it would probably crush her all over again.
15:38 "So long Bikini Bottom, I can't leave without a goodbye.
15:44 But please don't think bad of me if I start to cry."
15:49 Number 4. This Grill Is Not A Home
15:52 During Mr. Krabs and Plankton's card game,
15:55 Krabs foolishly bets SpongeBob's Krusty Krab contract and loses.
16:00 "I'm sorry boy. It's all my fault."
16:05 After one last cheerful embrace, Krabs is forced to watch his best fry cook get
16:09 dragged away to work for his arch nemesis at the Chum Bucket,
16:12 almost like a father and son being separated.
16:14 "This kitchen's not the same without you."
16:21 Before long, the two engage in singing a somber duet about how much they miss each other,
16:26 SpongeBob wanting to return to the grill he loves,
16:29 and Krabs wanting his most loyal employee back.
16:32 He even says he'd trade it all for him. In the end, SpongeBob's rebellion proves
16:36 too much for Plankton, and he's happily brought back to the Krusty Krab where he belongs.
16:40 Number 3. Farewell To Steven Hillenburg
16:44 In celebration of 20 years of the franchise, Bikini Bottom celebrates SpongeBob's birthday
16:50 in a fun, heartwarming special that culminates in the cast singing a birthday version of the theme
16:55 tune.
16:56 "Who's having a birthday under the sea? Me, me, me, me. With presents and cake and caller ID's.
17:03 However, the very final shot contains a message that's sure to make long-time fans sob.
17:11 It reads, "Thank you, Steve Hillenburg."
17:14 For those unaware, the series creator, Steven Hillenburg,
17:17 passed away the year before this special aired, and never got a chance to see his show meet this
17:22 major milestone.
17:24 "Happy, happy birthday, SpongeBob. Happy birthday, SpongeBob.
17:27 Happy 20th, SpongeBob. Happy birthday.
17:30 Happy birthday, SpongeBob."
17:32 The moment gives the late creator a much-deserved tribute,
17:35 but seeing it always makes us misty-eyed, as it reminds us that he's no longer with us.
17:40 Number 2. The End Of SpongeBob
17:44 SpongeBob and Patrick are on their most perilous journey to date,
17:47 to retrieve King Neptune's crown and save Mr. Krabs' life.
17:51 Unfortunately, along the way, a diver abducts them,
17:55 and takes them to his gift shop up on dry land.
17:57 He then sticks them under a heat lamp that slowly dries them out,
18:06 basically killing them at a snail's pace.
18:09 "This doesn't look too good, Patrick."
18:12 "You mean we're not gonna get the crown, save the town, and Mr. Krabs?"
18:18 "I don't even think we're gonna be able to save ourselves, buddy."
18:22 Lying together side by side, the two goofballs shrivel up and dehydrate,
18:26 knowing how close they came to finishing their mission.
18:29 Watching our favorite underwater buddies die in their theatrical debut was just
18:33 unbearable for longtime fans and moviegoers, but it's nothing the tears of friendship can't do
18:38 to bring our goofy goobers back to life to save all that they love.
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18:56 SpongeBob has been so preoccupied with a paddleball challenge that he forgets to feed his snail Gary.
19:06 Feeling neglected, Gary runs away, leaving his poor owner feeling guilty, alone, and inconsolable.
19:13 "No, no, no, no, don't do it, Gary! No, Gary!"
19:17 SpongeBob barely held it together when Gary supposedly dumped him for Patrick,
19:21 but knowing that he unintentionally drove his pet away just crushes him.
19:25 "Patrick!"
19:26 "I can't find Gary!"
19:28 To make matters worse, our eyes are left watering during the Gary Come Home montage,
19:34 as SpongeBob desperately searches for his beloved snail,
19:37 mixed with flashes of him lamenting during the saddest song of the series.
19:40 "Your meow right now would sound like music to me. Please come home, 'cause I miss you, Gary."
19:51 Thankfully, like most of the entries on this list, there is a happy ending,
19:55 but any pet owner will agree that driving away your animal companion is the worst feeling ever.
20:01 What SpongeBob SquarePants scene left you misty-eyed? Let us know in the comments.
20:06 "Happy birthday, SpongeBob!"
20:08 "Thank you, Patchy."
20:12 Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo,
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20:24 [Music]