The LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants theme was based on the Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants television series and licensed by the LEGO Group in 2006. A number of sets were released over the five-year period ending in 2011. The sets werer based upon the adventures and life of SpongeBob SquarePants. The theme was discontinued when LEGO's rival, MEGA Brands, acquired the license for SpongeBob SquarePants.
2011 LEGO Sets
2011 introduced Ninjago, which quickly became one of LEGO’s most successful original themes and the foundation of a long-running multimedia franchise. Other launches included Pirates of the Caribbean, coinciding with Disney’s On Stranger Tides, the sci-fi Alien Conquest, and Master Builder Academy, a design-focused building program. LEGO also experimented with digital-physical integration through Life of George, an early augmented reality experience. Collectible Minifigures Series 3–5 strengthened LEGO’s growing collector market, while internal employee-exclusive sets like Moulding Machines became prized rarities. Several themes concluded this year, including Harry Potter, Ben 10, Power Miners, Toy Story, Prince of Persia, Space Police III, and BrickMaster.