Top 10 SpongeBob Moments That Made Us Happy Cry

After SpongeBob teaches Bikini Bottom about the joys of Christmas, all the townsfolk –minus a grinchy Squidward- are excited for the arrival of Santa Claus… only to be let down when Santa doesn’t show up. Despite his own heartbreak, SpongeBob still gives Squidward a thoughtful present, having not wanted his neighbor to be left out of the festivities. Touched by this gesture, the grumpy cephalopod dresses up as Santa to cheer his forlorn neighbor up and give the townsfolk a little Christmas cheer… though it ends up costing him everything he owns. It was incredibly sweet of Squidward to go out of his way (and at such great personal cost) to make SpongeBob happy on the very first Christmas under the sea.

Frustrated by another failed Krabby Patty theft attempt, Plankton decides to occupy himself by getting a pet. He ends up adopting a little green amoeba and naming him Spot. You’d expect this to be another generic secret formula scheme, but Plankton actually takes the time to train and play with Spot, worrying about his pet’s well being and overall genuinely trying to be a responsible pet owner. He becomes so fixated and fulfilled that he barely even seems to care about the Krabby Patty! In return, Spot acts affectionately towards Plankton and bravely protects his owner from any threat –no matter how big it is. Their relationship is truly wholesome –and a reminder that even Plankton deserves to be happy.

Poor Fred the Fish can’t seem to avoid injuring his leg. While it makes for the series’ most famous running gag and funniest sound bite, it’s not exactly ideal for his health. However, during the episode “My Leg!” we find out that it’s not really bad luck – Fred actually takes every accident as an opportunity to see Nurse Bazooka – a burly, brutish nurse that he’s fallen in love with. He’s even written a song about her! While letting himself get injured isn’t the smartest move, it’s comforting to see Fred making the best of a hilariously bad situation, and that he has something to look forward to every time he gets dragged to the hospital.

Hungry nematodes have completely devoured SpongeBob’s pineapple house –leaving nothing but a little “pebble” behind. Faced with no other option but to leave Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob plants the “pebble” in the empty patch of soil and sheds a lone tear. Miraculously, the supposed pebble is actually a pineapple seed, and SpongeBob’s tear is just what it needs to grow the house back. Not only was the timing perfect, but the seed sprouting is also symbolic of how little miracles can pop up unexpectedly when things look bleak. That and really, aside from Squidward, no one wants to see SpongeBob have to leave Bikini Bottom forever.

Since the beginning of the first film, SpongeBob has coveted the position of manager at the new second Krusty Krab location. It seems like he’s a shoo-in for the job, but Mr. Krabs gives the promotion to Squidward because, to be blunt… SpongeBob’s just a kid. However, after his long journey halfway across the ocean to save both his boss and his town, SpongeBob has shown that despite his youthful nature, he possesses more loyalty, determination, and bravery that anyone twice his age. Thus, it’s only fitting that he be rewarded with the long-sought-after manager position. If this was the series finale as originally intended, it would’ve gone out on a high note with SpongeBob getting recognition for everything he does.

Squidward has been trying to turn the townsfolk into a marching band for a big performance at the Bubble Bowl, but it’s easier said than done. Right as Squidward tearfully gives up, SpongeBob motivates the town to get its act together, and the band puts on an amazing performance of David Glen Eisley’s “Sweet Victory”. For one shining moment, Squidward Tentacles –the show’s personal punching bag- finally gets the respect he’s worked so hard to achieve in the form of a triumphant rock ballad. And it was all thanks to the kindness of SpongeBob and the Bikini Bottomites!. Squidward remains the series’ martyr, but that only makes moments like this where he can be truly happy all the more satisfying.

Squidward and SpongeBob have been tasked with delivering a Krusty Krab pizza. Naturally, Squidward couldn’t care less about finishing the delivery while SpongeBob’s determined to bring the customer his food. However, when they finally arrive, the customer rudely rejects the pizza for a trivial reason and makes SpongeBob cry. Furious, Squidward marches up to the ungrateful customer and personally “delivers” his pie right in his face. Despite their rather dysfunctional relationship, Squidward stands up for his little yellow neighbor who bends over backwards every day just to make customers happy, and it’s utterly heartwarming.

Sandy pines for her old home in Texas, so much so that she sings a heartbreaking song that brings anyone who hears it to tears. To hopefully cure her homesickness, SpongeBob and Patrick throw her a surprise party –complete with misconstrued Texas décor based on what Sandy claims to miss about home. Despite the mix-up, it was still incredibly sweet of our little square dude to set all of this up just to cheer up Sandy –and even sweeter that most of the town volunteered to help. This gesture reminds both Sandy and us what home really means – being surrounded by people who care about you –and it’s safe to say that Sandy is feeling very loved in her underwater home.

SpongeBob inadvertently gets too preoccupied to feed his snail, Gary, which causes the neglected snail to run away. The guilt-ridden pet owner searches high and low for his beloved pet while crying buckets of tears along the way, wishing for nothing more than to find his slimy pal and tell him how much he loves him. The episode as a whole is a tearjerker –especially for pet owners whose animal companions have gone missing. Thankfully, it ends on a happy note as SpongeBob and Gary lovingly reunite. This whole ordeal teaches both SpongeBob and the audience a valuable lesson – don’t forget to take some time to show your pets that you care.

Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few heartwarming honorable mentions.

Patrick’s Gift for SpongeBob
“The Pink Purloiner”

Never Give Up
“Hello Bikini Bottom!”

The ‘Friends Forever’ Club
“Band Geeks”

Mr. Krabs & Plankton Make Amends
“New Leaf”

Knowledge Can’t Replace Friendship
“Patrick SmartPants”

SpongeBob’s birthday is almost over, but he still gets one last surprise in the form of a giant present. He opens the box and gets a birthday greeting from the president of the “SpongeBob SquarePants” fan club – Patchy the Pirate –who leads the rest of the cast in a special birthday rendition of the SpongeBob theme song. THIS is how you celebrate 20 years of SpongeBob – having his number one fan from Season 2 finally meet his idol, and everyone in Bikini Bottom coming together to celebrate their porous pal’s special day –topped off by a special thank you message to the show’s late creator, Steve Hillenburg, for the legacy he left behind.