The first volume was released before the episode "Fungus Among Us" aired in the United States the second volume was released before the episode "Goo Goo Gas" aired. The SpongeBob SquarePants: Season 5, Volume 1 and 2 DVDs were released in Region 1 on Septemand November 18, 2008, respectively, while the complete season set was released in Region 2 on Novemand Region 4 on November 7, 2008. Several compilation DVDs that contained episodes from the season were released. Tom Kenny was nominated at the 35th Annie Awards for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production for his role as SpongeBob SquarePants in the episode "Spy Buddies". The show won the 2007 BAFTA Children's Awards for the International category. At the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards, the episodes "The Inmates of Summer" and "The Two Faces of Squidward" were nominated for Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour), but lost to The Simpsons episode " Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind". The show itself received several recognition, including the Kids' Choice Awards for Favorite Cartoon in 2007.
The season received high acclaim from media critics and fans.
The season was executive produced by series creator Hillenburg and writer Paul Tibbitt, 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 fifth season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, created by former marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg, aired on Nickelodeon from Februto July 19, 2009, and contained 20 episodes (41 segments), beginning with the special episode " Friend or Foe".