Several compilation DVDs that contained episodes from the season were released. Dre, and Mike Myers-have been reported to be fans of the show. Celebrities-including Justin Timberlake, Kelly Osbourne, Britney Spears, Bruce Willis, Noel Gallagher, Dr. It won the 2003 Kids' Choice Awards for Favorite Cartoon, and also won the following year's Kids' Choice Award for the same category. The season was also the first time the show received a nomination at the Kids' Choice Awards and won. (Ugh)' was also nominated for the same category. The episodes 'New Student Starfish' and 'Clams' were nominated for Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) category, while the entry 'SpongeBob B.C. The show received several recognitions, including its nomination at the Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Children's Program. During its run, SpongeBob SquarePants became (and remains) the highest rated children's show on cable, with over 50 million viewers a month. The season received critical acclaim from media critics and fans. Season 3 was originally set to end the series after the release of the film, but the success prevented the series from ending, leading to a fourth season.

After production on the film, Hillenburg resigned from the show as its showrunner, and appointed staff writer Paul Tibbitt to overtake the position.

Hillenburg halted production on the show to work on the 2004 film adaptation of the series, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. The season was executive produced by series creator Hillenburg, who also acted as the showrunner. The series chronicles the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom. The third season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, created by Stephen Hillenburg, aired on Nickelodeon from Octoto October 11, 2004, and consists of 20 episodes (37 segments).

Spongebob belongs in the trash