SpongeBob SquarePants: 13 Dark Fan Theories

Fans love to come up with outlandish, disturbing theories about the true nature of Spongebob Squarepants, but could any of them be true?

Content Warning: The following contains discussions of drug use and mental illness

SpongeBob SquarePants is a fan-favorite show, running for decades, with the first episode airing in 1999. Alongside his best friend Patrick, a starfish, Mr. Krabs, a crab, and his neighbor/co-worker, Squidward, a cephalopod, SpongeBob goes on daily adventures and gets stuck in many humorous situations.

But, due to the existence of the Internet, and, more specifically, Reddit, hundreds of SpongeBob theories have emerged online many of which are plausible, and some outright ridiculous. Regardless, many dark theories about this kid's show have also emerged.

Updated 0n September 12th, 2021, by Lynn Gibbs: After premiering on Nickelodeon, SpongeBob SquarePants stole viewers' hearts with vibrant colors, unique storylines, and colorful songs. As a talking sponge, SpongeBob lived in a pineapple in an underwater town called Bikini Bottom. He was incredibly positive, optimistic, and rarely had a bad day. However, that's not to say that dark moments didn't surround SpongeBob. Over on Reddit, theories about SpongeBob and those around him only continue to proliferate. 

13 Mr. Krabs Adopted Pearl After Her Parents Were Killed By Whalers

The fact that Mr. Krabs is a crab and his daughter is a whale only adds to the hilarity of their father-daughter bond throughout SpongeBob. As a single dad, Mr. Krabs can be greedy so as to give his only child everything she desires but there are times where he goes overboard.

Reddit user HomeSchool-Winner has a unique theory as to how the two are related. "Mr. Krabs was Pearl's godfather due to a friendship with her whale parents, and they died in whaling tragedies, giving him custody." This theory makes better sense due to their biological differences.

12 Patrick Has Antisocial Personality Disorder

Patrick is one of the silliest characters in the series and has some of the funniest quotes. However, he does have a sad, dark side. Jobless_Kermit theories that Patrick has "a condition known as Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)."

They continued saying that Patrick has three of the seven symptoms: "Failure to conform to societal norms with lawful behavior," "Impulsivity and failure to plan ahead," and "Reckless disregard for the safety of self and others" – along with others.

11 Mr. Krabs' Secret Ingredient Contains Whale Barf

Mr. Krabs has done some awful things during his time in Bikini Bottom, and if this SpongeBob conspiracy is true, it can be added to the list. NoTurnBackNow had an interesting theory concerning Mr. Krabs and "whale barf." They wrote, "In the real world whale barf is worth a lot... However, we know that this industry does not exist in Bikini Bottom."

So, where could Mr. Krabs earn money for his daughter's barf? The Redditor wrote, "The secret ingredient has whale barf in it. Now everything makes sense."

10 Each Character Is Addicted To A Drug

One of the most common and partially plausible of the many theories is that each character from the series is addicted to a drug and is suffering from its after-effects. YoungShakeWes told Reddit that the weird episodes showing SpongeBob's immense joyfulness, pain, and knowledge of the bizarre could be from "the effects of Speed," but it doesn't just stop there.

Patrick's laziness and drowsiness are theorized to be because of his consumption of marijuana, which has similar effects, and Squidward's mood and poor job performance could be the result of heroin abuse, with Mr. Krabs maybe even being "the dealer."

9 Bikini Bottom Was Created Due To Nuclear Testing

One theory from antinestio suggested that Bikini Bottom was "under island Bikini Atoll, which is not only where nuclear weapons were tested but also what the bikini swimsuit was named after." The actual bottom of Bikini Atoll on the Marshal Islands, where the US Government conducted 23 Nuclear tests during the cold war, making SpongeBob and his aquatic friends the subject of Nuclear radiation exposure.

Alternatively, they could be the people previously working in the nuclear plant, now turned to aquatic mutations, thus explaining the modern letter system, and attire of these supposed creatures, cut from the real world.

8 The Main Characters Are The Seven Deadly Sins

Cucumber_d told Reddit that the seven deadly sins, Sloth, Pride, Greed, Gluttony, Lust, Envy, and Wrath, could actually be represented by the main characters of SpongeBob. They wrote, "It was 1. Greed- Mr. Krabs 2. Envy -Plankton 3. Sloth -Gary 4. Pride -Sandy 5. Wrath -Squidward 6. Gluttony -Patrick 7. Lust -SpongeBob." (They did, however, go back and edit their post so that Patrick was Sloth instead of Gary.)

With such memorable and unique characters, those in the SpongeBob universe could very well in fact be designed after these sins.

7 Squidward Has Been Placed As A Caretaker For SpongeBob By His Rich Parents

SpongeBob can, at times, be weird and acts very peculiarly. However, what if his personality goes deeper than that? Dirtspp suggests that because of SpongeBob's lapse in judgments, Squidward and SpongeBob's parents have an understanding. "Spongebob's parents knew Squidward from when he was still rolling in wealthy circles and reached out to him in his time of need, giving him a small loan to get back on his feet," They wrote. They continued saying, "In return, they asked him to keep a watchful eye on SpongeBob."

This could explain why Squidward doesn't move away and is still happy at the same house for many years despite SpongeBob giving him so much torment and many reasons to move. Despite it all though, Squidward and SpongeBob do have an underrated friendship.

6 Krabby Patties Are Made From Actual Crab Meat

Mr. Krabs is obsessed with money, and this theory suggests that he might've gone to great lengths to procure it. Why does he keep the formula so secret, away from even his own cook and the public? Borg2525's theory suggests that "Krabby Patties are made of crab meat, so Mr. Krabs is making people eat his own kind."

Explaining the secrecy behind the formula and why crabs are not seen at all in the show, this theory may be mildly plausible.

5 The Krabby Patties Are Made From A Crab Meat Substitute

A counter-theory working in Mr. Krab's favor is that he actually found a vegan crab meat substitute, thus, his customers can enjoy the deliciousness of the crab meat while he is free from all the guilt.

This also explains the failure of the chum bucket, as the people dislike the actual fish meat, while they have a perfectly good substitute in the crabby patty, thus explaining the fact of why Plankton wants to become the boss and take Krab's formula ever so desperately for the secret meaty substitute, his key to success.

4 SpongeBob Is A War Veteran, Suffering From PTSD

Waking up the same time, every day, following the same schedule and timeline, day in, day out, in a small town, with a quiet job, sporting the same attire every day... As likable of a character as SpongeBob is, Little_Toni suggests that "Mr. Squarepants is an ex-army soldier who has PTSD and was sent back because of battle fatigue and now he tries to live a full life as a fry cook."

His verbal pattern, calling people of higher authority "sir," and showing tremendous respect to all his elders sounds like military training, which he can't seem to shake off, no matter how hard he tries.

3 The Show Is A Metaphor For WWII Germany

As a cartoon, SpongeBob has the tendency to tackle some dark issues. With that being said, it could be because there's a darker meaning behind some of the storylines. DrakeGrayson has a theory that SpongeBob SquarePants represents, "Pre-WWII Germany." With Squidward being a failed artist and an all-out jerk, as Adolf Hitler, wanting to get rid of his neighbors. Patrick represents the innocents caught up in the catastrophe, and Sandy, with her Texas heritage and admirable tenacity, represents the United States.

Mr.Krabs, finally, represents the rest of Europe, looking down upon Hitler for his atrocious acts and overall tyranny.

2 Every Character Has A Mental Illness

Another similar theory suggests that not only SpongeBob but, in fact, everyone in Bikini Bottom has a mental illness or a disorder. StrawberryUwUgirl believes that "Everyone in SpongeBob is a personified walking mental illness attribute."

SpongeBob doesn't always make sense and acts erratically. The theorist suggests SpongeBob is "addicted to codependency," instead of to a substance. Patrick has "multiple personality disorder," which explains the multiple sides he shows of his throughout the show. And Mrs. Puff has "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" due to her consistent car crashes.

1 It's All An Incredibly Sophisticated Representation Of Global Warming

One particularly dark theory harbored in the most conspiratorial corners of the internet suggests that the whole show of SpongeBob is an intricate metaphor for global warming.

One Redditor wrote, "Spongebob represents the waste and pollution that is made in the world and as Global Warming theorizes; pollution causes greenhouse gases that warms the Earth and would inevitably cause global flooding." With SpongeBob being a kitchen sponge and not a sea sponge, they could be on to something.

NEXT: 10 Silly SpongeBob Fan Theories That The Internet Just Won't Let Go Of

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