After 14 years away, SpongeBob SquarePants is finally returning to LEGO Store shelves, bringing a beloved theme back from the depths of Bikini Bottom.
Many people reading this might not be aware that between 2006 and 2012, the LEGO Group produced 14 dedicated SpongeBob SquarePants sets.
With today’s reveal of LEGO Icons 11386 SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom and 40858 SpongeBob SquarePants Figure, the yellow sea sponge is finally coming back onto LEGO Store shelves.
Here is the complete history of LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants, from its original launch in 2006 to its long-awaited return this year.
2006
In 2006, the LEGO Group partnered with Nickelodeon to bring two of the network’s biggest hit shows to shelves: Avatar: The Last Airbender and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Initially grouped under a shared Nickelodeon theme, the releases appeared to test the market for both franchises. While Avatar ended after just two sets, SpongeBob SquarePants quickly proved popular enough to earn its own dedicated theme.
The first wave introduced fans to Bikini Bottom with three sets, including 3825 Krusty Krab, 3826 Build-A-Bob and 3827 Adventures in Bikini Bottom, recreating iconic locations and characters from the show.
2007–2009
With its own theme secured, the LEGO Group focused on fan-favourite episodes and memorable locations from the series.
Across 2007 and 2008, 4981 The Chum Bucket, 4982 Mrs. Puff’s Boating School, 3830 The Bikini Bottom Express, 3831 Rocket Ride, and 3832 The Emergency Room expanded the world of LEGO SpongeBob to niche charcters and locations, introducing fan-favourites like Sandy Cheeks.
In 2009, the LEGO Group looked back at its earliest releases, updating two of the theme’s most recognisable locations. 3833 Krusty Krab Adventures and 3834 Good Neighbours at Bikini Bottom improved on their original versions with new designs, including a more rounded pineapple house and a moulded Squidward head.
2010–2012
After a short break while the LEGO Group focused on launching other themes such as Atlantis and Hero Factory, SpongeBob returned for one final wave.
In 2011, 3815 Heroic Heroes of the Deep and 3816 Glove World introduced superhero versions of SpongeBob and Patrick alongside a recreation of the underwater theme park.
The final two sets arrived in 2012, with 3817 The Flying Dutchman bringing the iconic ghost pirate ship to LEGO for the first time, while 3818 Bikini Bottom Undersea Party gave the theme a fitting celebration before its retirement in 2013.
2013–2025
After retiring the theme, LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants disappeared from shelves for more than a decade.
The long absence meant the theme missed opportunities such as LEGO Dimensions, which could have been a perfect fit for the franchise, while the original minifigures became increasingly valuable among collectors.
2026
After 14 years away, LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants is finally back. 40858 SpongeBob SquarePants Figure provides an affordable entry point, while LEGO Icons 11386 SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom delivers the ultimate return to Bikini Bottom.
Where better to relaunch the theme than Conch Street? The LEGO Group has recreated SpongeBob, Patrick and Squidward’s homes once again, but this time as the biggest and most detailed LEGO SpongeBob set ever created. The set also introduces DoodleBob, bringing one of the show’s most memorable characters into LEGO form for the first time.
Hopefully, this marks the beginning of a new era for LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants rather than another one-off appearance, and fans won’t have to wait another decade for more sets.
Both 40858 SpongeBob SquarePants Figure and LEGO Icons 11386 SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom launch on September 1. The Brickheadz costs £10.99 / $12.99 / €12.99, while the LEGO Icons set costs £189.99 / $219.99 / €209.99. Both are avaliable to preorder now from LEGO.com.
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