History Heartwarming / SpongeBobSquarePants

* In “The Lost Mattress” in the beginning Mr. Krabs snapped at SpongeBob but quickly apologize when he saw how SpongeBob was about to cry. He explains that he’s just crabby cause he’s having trouble sleeping on his mattress that is old and lumpy.
** Feeling bad for Mr. Krabs, SpongeBob decide to buy Mr. Krabs a new mattress as a gift. Showing how much he cares about his boss.

** Two years after his passing, fans of the show decided to reanimate the entirety of the ''The [=SpongeBob=] [=SquarePants=] Movie'' with over 300 people that begun in early 2020 as a tribute to Hillenburg. When it arrived in late 2022, a [[TheStinger special stinger]] was added by fans which adapted the very first recording of Creator/TomKenny's performance as [=SpongeBob=], and Stephen Hillenburg voicing Squidward from 1996. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iAZweZPR7Y The audio]] was taken from a Season 1 DVD Boxset of the series under the special feature "The voices of [=SpongeBob=] [=SquarePants=]".

--->'''SpongeBob''': Well, I guess I can't stop you. But Squidward, it's a cold, cold world out there. No one's going to serve you happiness on a silver platter. [...] I just want you to know, if you ever get in trouble, come find me. I'll take care of you. 'Cause you and me ... we're like brothers, only closer.

** The cherry on top comes when the [[{{TrueCompanions}}Navy vets]] decide to give Krabs his trophy for manliness, despite having him having lost his shell. They reveal that they too have lost the things that made them manly to begin with since their Navy days. In the words of one of them...

** The cherry on top comes when the Navy vets decide to give Krabs his trophy for manliness, despite having him having lost his shell. They reveal that they too have lost the things that made them manly to begin with since their Navy days. In the words of one of them...
--> '''Mutton Chop:''' Admitting you lost your shell is the toughest thing I've ever seen.

** During the back and forth where [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick try to get more and more soda from Squidward to one up each other, [=SpongeBob=] manages to keep getting more soda, while Patrick is left protesting "I still didn't get any!". Spongebob's response? Give Patrick some of his with a pleasant "There ya go" before they get back to their little competition. Even when he's fighting with Patrick, and actively trying to one up him, he's still the NiceGuy he always is.

* In "Nature Pants" after Spongebob's attempt to live in the wild fails miserably, he dejectedly returns to Bikini Bottom and bemoans having thrown away his friendships, but then when he arrives home he discovers his friends welcoming him back with a surprise party and embracing him.

* The scene with the Flying Dutchman appearing and claim he going take everybody’s souls starting with Spongebob’s because he found his costume insulting. Sandy shouted “Spongebob!” in a concerned worried way.

** While they misunderstand who he's talking about and end up attacking a random old man, many people of Bikini Bottom jump to Spongebob's defense twice when he runs through the street screaming that someone is going to kick his butt.

* There are 2 interesting points about Squidward's behavior in "Wigstruck": 1) he's the only person who ''doesn't'' laugh at or insult Spongebob's wig (even Patrick told him how horrible he thought it was, and even Sandy and Mr. Krabs laughed at him); and 2) instead of allowing the guy he allegedly loathes to go on making a fool of himself, he warns him about what everyone really thinks of him now and tries to convince him to take off the wig for his own good. Squidward was really looking out for his... ahem, acquaintance... coworker... not-friend there.

** There's also Mr. Krabs, Pearl, and Squidward (mostly) showing concern over Spongebob's safety.

* "SpongeBob's Road to Christmas" stars [=SpongeBob=] wanting to give Santa a gift to thank him for all his hard work. When Santa accidentally misses it and [=SpongeBob=] sees the present again in July, he goes out of his way to go all the way up to the North Pole to give it to him. The present for him? A thank you message telling [=SpongeBob=] how happy he is Santa can give Christmas and joy to so many people.

* For as greedy as he can be (particularly in the later episodes), Mr. Krabs shows that he truly loves Spongebob like a son. Also, he and Squidward, despite fighting and arguing, show that they have a sort of brotherly relationship.

** During the back and forth where Spongebob and Patrick try to get more and more soda from Squidward to one up each other, Spongebob manages to keep getting more soda, while Patrick is left protesting "I still didn't get any!". Spongebob's response? Give Patrick some of his with a pleasant "There ya go" before they get back to their little competition. Even when he's fighting with Patrick, and actively trying to one up him, he's still the NiceGuy he always is.

** Upon seeing how devastated Spongebob is at apparently messing up the order, Mr. Krabs somberly asks him to take the rest of the day off to get his head on straight, no strings attached. Later, when it becomes clear the fate of his business depends on Spongebob recovering, Mr. Krabs goes to his house and devotes himself to helping Spongebob remember how to make a Krabby Patty. He spends several days with him, day in and day out, and doesn't move until Spongebob is ready. When Spongebob declares he's a failure, Mr. Krabs demands he stop talking like that - and when Spongebob proves he's ready, Mr. Krabs smiles reassuringly at him, clearly having had no doubts in his fry cook.
** The town is excited to have Spongebob back, as word travels fast enough that Bubble Bass immediately returns for the final showdown.
** After Bubble Bass is defeated, Spongebob asks for three cheers for Squidward for taking his place while he was gone. Squidward actually smiles warmly at this, genuinely appreciating it... until the crowd starts booing him, having not forgotten his awful cooking.

** From the same episode, Mermaid Man saying with complete sincerity, "For a pain in the neck, he's a pretty nice kid!" It's telling that for however annoying Spongebob can be, Mermaid Man (nor even Barnacle Boy) seem to have any actual hostility toward the little sponge, like Squidward and Mrs. Puff.

* In the halloween episode Scaredy Pants, Patrick was the only one who didn’t purposely scare Spongebob. He even apologises, which is something he probably wouldn't do in seasons 6-8. He even decided to help Spongebob get back at the people who scared him.
** When they first test out Spongebob new ghost costume and “scared” a guy, it was rather sweet on how Spongebob was finally having fun on Halloween.

** The look on Squidward's face after Spongebob starts singing. That wide-eyed, open-mouthed, uncomprehending shock that the band's actually kicking ass. That is the look of a man, thoroughly broken by life, who is suddenly hit square in the face with the realization that what he thought was going to be the worst moment of his life is actually going to be the ''best'', and from the '''bane of his existence.'''

* "Patty Hype". Even though it was simply a greedy attempt on Mr Krabs' part to have the Pretty Patty stand for himself, it's still heartwarming to see him give Spongebob ownership of the Krusty Krab. When Spongebob is given the key, he's smiling so wide and is so stunned that he can't even move his legs, which is followed by the customers [[CrowdSurfing carrying him back]] to the Krusty Krab while he proclaims that "dreams do come true" and the scene is presented as him being sent to heaven, which is followed up by [[GoodTimesMontage a full montage]] of him happily frolicking in the restaurant.

** Mr. Krabs' and Pearl's portrayals here are wonderfully sweet. Mr. Krabs, in comparison to his generally apathetic and sometimes negligent parenting later on, dotes on Pearl with all he's got and clearly loves her very much. Pearl, likewise later portrayed as a fringe teenager who is cold to the main characters, is completely friendly and cheerful with Spongebob and Squidward, and tries not to disappoint Mr. Krabs.

* The theatre scene from Something Smells. It's played for comedy, but seeing Patrick getting mad at the whole room when Spongebob began to cry is actually pretty heartwarming, even though all Patrick did was make things worse.

** Before Gary even crashes, Spongebob instantly deflates when he notices Gary's in trouble and concernedly tells him he can stop racing.

* Patrick expressing sincere guilt in "Donut of Shame". Over taking a donut that Spongebob GAVE to him as a birthday present.

* Sandy cheering up Spongebob in "Pest of the West".
* In "Stanley Squarepants", the title character is [=SpongeBob's=] cousin who always screws up. Despite this, [=SpongeBob =]tries to look after and help him, even letting him help in the Krusty Krab and covering for him whenever he screws up. Well, that is until he breaks his spatula...

** A small one, but the flashback of Spongebob trying a Krabby Patty while still in the womb.

* In "To Squarepants or not to Squarepants," when Sponegbob "Roundpants" tries to start a new life, he follows Squidward around trying to learn the ropes of working at the Krusty Krab. Squidward is at first annoyed with Spongebob following him around, but there is something uplifting about watching Squidward being so proud of Spongebob, even it's becuase he' so proud of Spongebob being a slob like him, and treating him like his best friend.

** [[{{TenderTears}} In the episode, SpongeBob isn't just crying because of his own misfortunes. He also begins to cry when he hears about the misfortunes of ''other people'', and animals. Just shows how much of a sweet, tender little guy he is.]]

** Spongebob helping Plankton find Spot throughout the episode. Instead of his usual obliviousness making things worse, he really puts in the effort to look for the amoeba. It makes sense since Spongebob is a pet owner, so he understood how worried Plankton was.

** Earlier in the episode, Krabs finds out Spongebob inadvertently stole a box of precious gems to "fancy up the food." Surprisingly, instead of taking the jewels for himself, Krabs tells Spongebob what he did was wrong and spends the rest of the episode trying to return the box. [[CharacterRerailment Glad to see that Mr. Krabs finally got his greed in check.]]

* "Karen's Virus" is full of heartwarming moments as Spongebob goes inside Karen to cure her of a computer virus and we get to see her inner world, all while Plankton tries to keep his wife (who the virus makes act loopy) safe in the real world.

* "Kooky Cooks" has Spongebob and Squidward having a food fight, one where they both genuinely have fun doing. [[MoodWhiplash At least until Sponge falls into an oven]].

* "SpongeBob's Road to Christmas" stars Spongebob wanting to give Santa a gift to thank him for all his hard work. When Santa accidentally misses it and Spongebob sees the present again in July, he goes out of his way to go all the way up to the North Pole to give it to him. The present for him? A thank you message telling Spongebob how happy he is Santa can give Christmas and joy to so many people.

** Two years after his passing, fans of the show decided to reanimate the entirety of the ''The Spongebob Squarepants Movie'' with over 300 people that begun in early 2020 as a tribute to Hillenburg. When it arrived in late 2022, a [[TheStinger special stinger]] was added by fans which adapted the very first recording of Creator/TomKenny's performance as Spongebob, and Stephen Hillenburg voicing Squidward from 1996. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iAZweZPR7Y The audio]] was taken from a Season 1 DVD Boxset of the series under the special feature "The voices of Spongebob Squarepants".

** Wen Sandy reports [=SpongeBob=] missing to The Krusty Krab, Mr. Krabs is the first to volunteer for the search party, even giving Squidward a glare when he's happy about [=SpongeBob=]'s disappearance.

[[folder:Season 13]]

[[caption-width-right:350:''[[WesternAnimation/GarfieldSpecials "Now we're together again! No need to be lonely!]]"'']]

* After [=Spongebob=] and Patrick cry after believing Junior is dead, Junior is seen flying and he's alive. Junior kisses [=Spongebob=] on the cheek and drops a coconut on Patrick's head and then kisses him on the cheek too. After the parents say goodbye to their son, they are [[SoProudOfYou proud to have looked after him.]]

** [[spoiler:SQUIDWARD of all people saving [=SpongeBob=] and even admitting to him how much the Krusty Krab needs him. After everything he's put him through, too! Squidward, dude, you've won me back my heart]].

* The end of the song "Where's Gary" (on the Best Day Ever album) [[spoiler:in which [=SpongeBob=] and Gary are reunited]] in the end.

** Wendel Bezerra ([=SpongeBob=]'s Brazilian voice actor) did [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izzbwl6gh8M his own tribute to Stephen]].

* In "The Bully," [=SpongeBob=] shows what a compassionate AllLovingHero he can be, even to those who least deserve it: when he (unsuccessfully) attempts to solicit the assistance of Flats's father to stop [[ComedicSociopathy the flounder's bullying behavior]], he generously calls Flats a "fine boy and all," seemingly not wishing to complicate their familial relationship, and later he goes as far as to save Flats's life by performing five hours of CPR when Flats suffered grave injuries sustained while trying to ''run [=SpongeBob=] over with a garbage truck''. While [[NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished these kindnesses sadly go unreciprocated]] by the [[UngratefulBastard unrepentant]] [[{{Jerkass}} bully]], it only emphasizes just what a good person [=SpongeBob=] is.

* In "The Bully," [=SpongeBob=] shows what a compassionate AllLovingHero he can be, even to those who least deserve it: when he attempts to solicit the assistance of Flats's father to stop [[ComedicSociopathy the flounder's bullying behavior]], he generously calls Flats a "fine boy and all," seemingly not wishing to complicate their familial relationship, and later he goes as far as to save Flats's life by performing five hours of CPR when Flats suffered grave injuries sustained while trying to ''run [=SpongeBob=] over with a garbage truck''. While [[NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished these kindnesses sadly go unreciprocated]] by the [[UngratefulBastard unrepentant]] [[{{Jerkass}} bully]], it only emphasizes just what a good person [=SpongeBob=] is.

* In "The Bully," [=SpongeBob=] shows what a compassionate AllLovingHero he can be, even to those who least deserve it: when he attempts to solicit the assistance of Flats's father to stop [[ComedicSociopathy the flounder's bullying behavior]], he calls Flats a "fine boy and all," seemingly not wishing to complicate their familial relationship, and later he goes as far as to save Flats's life by performing five hours of CPR when Flats suffered grave injuries sustained while trying to ''run [=SpongeBob=] over with a garbage truck''. While these kindnesses sadly go unreciprocated by the [[UngratefulBastard unrepentant]] [[{{Jerkass}} bully]], it only emphasizes just what a good person [=SpongeBob=] is.

* In "The Bully," [=SpongeBob=] shows what a compassionate AllLovingHero he can be, even to those who least deserve it: when he attempts to solicit the assistance of Flats's father to stop [[ComedicSociopathy the flounder's bullying behavior]], he calls Flats a "fine boy and all," seemingly not wishing to complicate their familial relationship, and later he goes as far as to save Flats's life by performing five hours of CPR when Flats suffered grave injuries in a wreck from trying to ''run [=SpongeBob=] over with a garbage truck''. While these kindnesses sadly go unreciprocated by the [[UngratefulBastard unrepentant]] [[{{Jerkass}} bully]], it only emphasizes just what a good person [=SpongeBob=] is.

* In "The Bully," [=Spongebob=] shows what a compassionate AllLovingHero he can be, even to those who least deserve it: when he attempts to solicit the assistance of Flats's father to stop the flounder's bullying behavior, he calls Flats a "fine boy and all," seemingly not wishing to complicate their familial relationship, and later he goes as far as to save Flats's life by performing five hours of CPR when Flats suffered grave injuries in a wreck from trying to ''run [=SpongeBob=] over with a garbage truck''. While these kindnesses sadly go unreciprocated by the [[UngratefulBastard unrepentant]] [[{{Jerkass}} bully]], it only emphasizes just what a good person [=SpongeBob=] is.

* In "The Bully," [=Spongebob=] shows what a compassionate AllLovingHero he can be, even to those who least deserve it: when he attempts to solicit the assistance of Flats's father to stop the flounder's bullying behavior, he calls Flats a "fine boy and all," seemingly not wishing to complicate their familial relationship, and later he goes as far as to save Flats's life by performing five hours of CPR when Flats suffered grave injuries in a wreck from trying to ''run [=SpongeBob=] over with a garbage truck''. While these kindnesses sadly go unreciprocated by the [[UngratefulBastard unrepentant]] [[{{Jerkass}} bully]], it only [[TakenToEleven further highlights]] just what a good person SpongeBob is.

** Mr. Krabs, finding out SpongeBob has the suds, lets him go home to take the day off out of concern for him and that his customers may end up getting sick.