Director Robert Eggers recently discussed the unanticipated impact of the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants on introducing younger viewers to classic horror cinema, specifically the renowned vampire from the 1922 silent film Nosferatu. This discovery occurred during the red carpet premiere of Eggers’ rendition of the famous tale.

At the occasion, Eggers expressed personal thoughts on how pop culture can teach young people about important films. He recalled his own childhood experiences with The Muppet Babies, which introduced him to classic movies. He applauded SpongeBob’s brief but unforgettable tribute to Nosferatu, saying, “That weird cartoon gave me a lot of exposure to a lot of movies that I watched when I was a little older.” His statements conveyed nostalgia and enthusiasm for innovative cultural education approaches.

The vampire’s arrival in the SpongeBob episode “Graveyard Shift” is a great visual humor. Writer Jay Lender devised this moment with the consent of series creator Stephen Hillenburg.