The new SpongeBob movie will now debut on VOD and CBS All Access instead of appearing in the theaters.
The Hollywood Reporter revealed that The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run will not debut in theaters on August 7. Instead, the Nickelodeon and Paramount production will arrive on VOD before landing on CBS All Access in early 2021.
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continuing to impact the entertainment industry, a number of films have either had their theatrical release dates pushed back or canceled entirely in favor of VOD and streaming. The SpongeBob movie will join other animated films such as Scoob! and Trolls 2 that went straight to video-on-demand before later appearing on streaming services.
As of now, there's no precise date when The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run will release for purchase. The report notes that the film's release on CBS All Access will be part of a rebrand for the streaming service that will also occur in early 2021.
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run was originally scheduled to release in May before the pandemic pushed it back. It will be the third film in the franchise when it released in 2021.