Fortnite players are getting a long-awaited SpongeBob SquarePants collaboration this Winterfest, though it’s arriving in an unexpected form. According to reliable leaker HYPEX, SpongeBob and Patrick Star are joining the game as Sidekicks rather than playable character skins. The announcement comes as part of Fortnite’s annual holiday event, which kicked off on December 18, 2025, bringing snow-covered maps, festive challenges, and a wave of pop culture crossovers.
What Are Sidekicks in Fortnite
Sidekicks are a relatively new feature Epic Games introduced earlier this year with the Simpsons collaboration in November 2025. These are small companion characters that follow you around the map, providing personality and entertainment rather than gameplay advantages. Think of them as animated back bling that walks beside you instead of sitting on your back. The SpongeBob and Patrick Sidekicks will include authentic voicelines from the show, making them more interactive than standard cosmetics.
The leak also mentions an Imagination emote, referencing one of the show’s most iconic moments where SpongeBob and Patrick create a rainbow with their hands. For fans of the series, having these characters quote memorable lines while you’re building or fighting adds a layer of nostalgia that static cosmetics can’t match. Previous Sidekicks have ranged from simple creatures to recognizable characters, but SpongeBob and Patrick represent the highest-profile additions to the feature so far.
The Patty Wagon Is Coming Too
Alongside the character Sidekicks, Fortnite is adding the Patty Wagon as a drivable vehicle. This is the hamburger-shaped car from The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie that SpongeBob and Patrick used on their journey to Shell City. According to leaks, the vehicle drops on December 20 alongside Snow Miku skins. The Patty Wagon will also be available in Rocket League, with purchases potentially transferring between games depending on how Epic structures the crossover.
Driving a giant hamburger across Fortnite’s battle royale island fits perfectly with the game’s embrace of absurdity. Epic has never been shy about mixing serious gunplay with ridiculous cosmetics, and the Patty Wagon continues that tradition. The vehicle joins a growing roster of licensed cars in Fortnite, from the DeLorean to the Cybertruck, each offering unique visual flair without fundamentally changing driving mechanics.
Why No Playable Skins
Many fans expected full character skins for SpongeBob and Patrick, similar to how Fortnite handled Rick and Morty, the Simpsons, or Peter Griffin. The decision to make them Sidekicks instead has sparked mixed reactions. Some appreciate having the characters follow them around and react to gameplay moments. Others feel disappointed they can’t actually play as SpongeBob, especially after waiting years for this collaboration.
One likely reason for the Sidekick approach involves body proportions and animations. SpongeBob and Patrick have extremely distinct shapes that don’t map well to Fortnite’s standard character models. Creating functional hitboxes and animations for characters with rectangular bodies and stubby limbs presents challenges. Rather than distorting their appearance to fit Fortnite’s systems, Epic chose to preserve their authentic look as companions instead of playable avatars.
Winterfest Packed With Collabs
The SpongeBob content arrives during one of Fortnite’s busiest collaboration periods. Winterfest 2025 includes a major Harry Potter crossover with customizable Hogwarts house outfits, broomstick gliders, and mythic wands. Bleach anime skins drop later this month. Sabrina Carpenter is getting a holiday-themed outfit tied to Fortnite Festival. Baby Groot joins as another Sidekick option. Doc Brown from Back to the Future makes an appearance. The event runs through early January 2026, giving players weeks of new content to unlock and purchase.
Epic’s strategy seems focused on quantity this year, bombarding players with crossovers from different franchises rather than dedicating entire seasons to single IPs. The approach keeps the item shop fresh and caters to diverse fanbases. Not everyone cares about Harry Potter, but those same players might drop cash for SpongeBob or Bleach content. By spreading collaborations across Winterfest, Epic maximizes potential sales while maintaining excitement throughout the holiday period.
The Paramount Partnership
SpongeBob’s arrival confirms broader cooperation between Epic Games and Paramount. Earlier leaks suggested Paramount signed a multi-franchise deal with Fortnite, opening doors for properties like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers, South Park, Avatar The Last Airbender, and potentially Sonic the Hedgehog. The partnership explains why SpongeBob content materialized so quickly after dataminers first discovered references in the game files back in November.
Paramount owns an extensive catalog of recognizable IP that fits Fortnite’s demographic. If the SpongeBob collaboration performs well, expect more Paramount franchises to follow throughout 2026. The company needs revenue streams as streaming competition intensifies, and gaming crossovers offer low-risk income through licensing deals. Epic benefits from nostalgia-driven purchases and media attention. It’s a win-win arrangement that will likely produce many more collaborations beyond SpongeBob.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do SpongeBob and Patrick release in Fortnite?
While the exact date hasn’t been officially confirmed, leaks suggest they’ll arrive on December 20, 2025, the same day as the Patty Wagon vehicle and Snow Miku skins. They’re part of the Winterfest 2025 event.
Will SpongeBob and Patrick be free?
No, Sidekicks are typically premium cosmetics available in the Item Shop for V-Bucks. Expect them to cost more than basic back bling because they include voicelines and animations.
Can you play as SpongeBob in Fortnite?
No, SpongeBob and Patrick are coming as Sidekicks, not playable character skins. They follow you around the map and include voicelines but aren’t avatars you can control.
What is the Imagination emote?
The Imagination emote references the iconic SpongeBob scene where he and Patrick create a rainbow with their hands. It’s one of the most memorable moments from the series.
Will there be more SpongeBob characters?
Current leaks only mention SpongeBob and Patrick. However, if the collaboration succeeds, Epic could add Sandy, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, or other Bikini Bottom residents in future updates.
Can I drive the Patty Wagon?
Yes, the Patty Wagon is coming as a drivable vehicle in Fortnite. It’s the hamburger car from The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. The vehicle will also be available in Rocket League.
What other collaborations are happening during Winterfest?
Winterfest 2025 includes Harry Potter, Bleach, Sabrina Carpenter, Baby Groot, Doc Brown from Back to the Future, and more. It’s one of Fortnite’s biggest collaboration events ever.
Do Sidekicks provide gameplay advantages?
No, Sidekicks are purely cosmetic. They don’t give you better loot, extra health, or tactical benefits. They exist for entertainment and personalization.
Ready or Not
Whether you’re thrilled about SpongeBob Sidekicks or disappointed they aren’t full skins, the collaboration represents another milestone in Fortnite’s dominance of pop culture crossovers. The game has become the digital equivalent of Times Square, where every major franchise eventually shows up in some form. SpongeBob joining Winterfest alongside Harry Potter, anime characters, and pop stars perfectly captures the chaotic energy that defines Fortnite in 2025. The Patty Wagon rolling across snowy battlefields while SpongeBob quotes the show in your ear sounds ridiculous, and that’s exactly the point. Fortnite embraces absurdity better than any other live service game, and this collaboration leans into that strength. Mark your calendars for December 20 and get your V-Bucks ready, because Bikini Bottom is coming to the battle royale island.