The film serves as a standalone sequel to The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004). The plot revolves around Burger-Beard the Pirate (Antonio Banderas), who steals the secret Krabby Patty formula using a magical book. As a result, Bikini Bottom descends into a post-apocalyptic chaos. SpongeBob SquarePants and his friends must travel to the surface world to retrieve the formula. To do so, they transform into superheroes to battle Burger-Beard on land.