SpongeBob SquarePants is undoubtedly one of the best animated television shows of all time. For over twenty years, the Nickelodeon mainstay has provided audiences with episodes of laughter, joy, and ludicrous storytelling. SpongeBob and his band of sea critter pals are beloved by millions across the globe, and even legendary Hollywood actors can't resist joining in on the undersea fun.
After thirteen seasons (and three feature films), it has become quite obvious that SpongeBob's iconic cast of characters is the leading factor for its success. From Larry the Lobster to SpongeBob, himself, there are dozens of undersea critters to account for. But, which of these timeless characters are in the top tier of the show's history, and, how do the best of the best rank among themselves?
Unfortunately, not every character can find their way onto this list. With so many options to choose from, the best episodes and moments of the show become essential to recall when creating such an exclusive ranking. Dozens of characters were named and assessed before making final cuts. It wasn't easy, and not everyone will agree, but, here it is - The Top 10 Characters from SpongeBob SquarePants:
10 Patrick Star
At number 10, barely making the cut, is Patrick Star. Patrick is SpongeBob's best friend and ever-present source of companionship and disinformation. At varying points throughout the show, Patrick impersonates a doctor, forgets what his own parents look like, and believes that being ugly is a disease (not to mention questioning whether mayonnaise is an instrument).
If these thoughts and actions weren't enough to make himself known on this list, there would be no hope in this world. The pink starfish is not ranked higher only because he has had, perhaps, too much time on the small screen, causing him to lose key weight from some of his more humorously memorable moments. Make no mistake, however, Patrick is not to be underestimated, and his ranking is not out of disrespect. This list is simply stacked.
9 The Flying Dutchman
The Master of Davy Jones' locker (and the poop loop), the Flying Dutchman is a recurring, evil ghost that haunts Bikini Bottom. Although initially portrayed as a bit of a heartless ghoul when carrying out his dastardly deeds, the Dutchman has assisted SpongeBob several times when the sponge was in need (who could forget how he helped SpongeBob tie his shoes or when he returned Bob's soul to the Krusty Krab?).
The Dutchman's presence is always a good sign that an episode will be a classic, as the audience never knows where his appearance will lead them. He answers to no one, enjoys stealing souls, and lives to torture undersea critters. What a guy. The satisfyingly chilling theme that accompanies him - the icing on the cake.
8 SpongeBob SquarePants
The main sponge, himself. SpongeBob SquarePants would be nothing without, well, SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob is perhaps the most iconic Nickelodeon character of all time, and the perfect choice to lead the show. The other characters on this list would be absolutely nothing without the yellow sponge carrying the massive weight of each and every episode. SpongeBob's eternal joy and youthful ignorance are as contagious as it is frustrating at times, but the love that audiences feel for the boxy fry cook is boundless. If only life could always be as simple, imaginative, and awe-inspiring as he seems to make every day of his own.
7 Mermaid Man
The second minor character to appear on the list, and the best spoof of Aquaman since Super Friends, Mermaid Man is a retired, humanoid Super Hero who is as hilariously senile as he is old. Much like the Flying Dutchman, Mermaid Man also carries his own theme music into scenes, escalating his absurd presence.
Whether by constantly shouting heroic phrases and exclamations for no reason, or by being horribly defeated in battle, Mermaid Man is always a prime source of entertainment when featured in an episode (alongside his trusty "young" ward, Barnacle Boy)! His ability to instantly pivot between campy action hero and complete buffoon is practically his MO, and viewers love him for it.
6 Mrs. Puff
Dear, Neptune. Penelope Puff is the undersea embodiment of any teacher's darkest thoughts and dreams. She constantly mumbles to herself how much she hates certain aspects of her job and dealing with certain students, uses over-the-top dry humor with others, and fantasizes about the day certain Sponge-like pupils will finally graduate from her boating school.
Mrs. Puff is also portrayed as one of the few characters with any common sense, and her patience with SpongeBob (and occasionally, Patrick) is not to be overlooked. Further background detail regarding the puffer fish, such as her late husband becoming a light bulb cover for humans, and Mrs. Puff owning a painting of herself walking through her front door (pictured above), solidify her A-tier status within the show.
5 DoodleBob
"Meyohimeyoi!" Such an iconic phrase! DoodleBob was brought to life by SpongeBob after the yellow sponge drew DoodleBob with a sea artist's lost, sunken pencil. Shortly after coming to life, Doodle, as SpongeBob refers to him, unhappy with SpongeBob's decision to erase him, eventually steals and wields the artist's pencil while shouting nonsense and drawing all over Bikini Bottom and its inhabitants. He is finally brought down by the wooden sword that gave him life, after erasing SpongeBob's buttocks, no less. Who would have thought that the sketch-Bob would become such a memorable character with less than fifteen minutes of screen time?
4 Man Ray
Initially featured in what may be the greatest Mermaid Man episode of all time, Man Ray is supposedly one of the most dastardly villains to roam Bikini Bottom. In reality, he is quite the fool, humorously and unknowingly being thwarted by SpongeBob and Patrick in said first appearance. Man Ray has the looks of a classic (Aquaman) DC Villain, Black Manta, but with an alternate paint job. He stands much taller than SpongeBob and the rest of the cast, and is only second to the Dirty Bubble as arch-nemesis of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy.
As each of his return appearances to date have been amazing and as eventful as the first, Man Ray is more than deserving of a spot on this list - as anyone that is defeated by a tickle belt should be.
3 Mr. Krabs
Move aside Ebeneezer Scrooge, Eugene Krabs is here to give you a run for your money (get it?). Mr. Krabs is the boss anyone would hate to have, but love to hear a friend talk about. He once sold SpongeBob's soul for sixty-two cents, without a moments' hesitation. That is the kind of loyalty that one literally could buy. The cheap crustacean has appeared in more priceless SpongeBob moments than almost any other character, and, over twenty years later, his lack of conscience when it comes to money still surprises. At least he has his daughter, Pearl, and arch-nemesis, Plankton, to keep him in check (yes, pun intended).
2 Plankton
"F is for Fire that burns down the whole town, U is for Uranium bombs. N is for No survivors". Only Sheldon Plankton could have turned such an innocent and friendly song into lyrics of doom and destruction, and that is why he ranks so highly on this list. He epitomizes "size matters not," and is basically the Lex Luthor of Bikini Bottom - always scheming, jealous, and using others for his own personal gain.
Building a robotic version of Mr. Krabs (and SpongeBob), hacking SpongeBob's brain, and having a computer wife are just a few more of the things that make Plankton so great. He never gives up himself and so many times, he has come so close to achieving his ultimate goal - stealing the Krabby Patty formula. It's probably for the best that he never wins, though. He just wouldn't be the same outside the underdog role.
1 Squidward Tentacles
"Hello. You've reached the house of unrecognized talent." Speaking of the underdog, is there any character from any television series, animated or not, that has a more relatable struggle than that of Squidward Tentacles? Stuck in a nine-to-five job that is far less than what he hoped/s for, and trapped in a house between the most annoying neighbors imaginable, Squidward represents all of those fighting to reach their dreams and happily ever after. Things in his life always seem to go wrong, and the guy can't even find the time of day to play his clarinet in peace.
It's not all bad for the squid, however, as he does find small joys within his repetitive day-to-day, reaching a peak while conducting "Sweet Victory" in the immensely iconic episode, Band Geeks. It is also well-known that he is not as averse to SpongeBob and Patrick's antics as he lets on. Although he was once voted "most likely to suck eggs" in high school, Squidward Tentacles is - without a doubt - the most likely to entertain audiences around the world.