5 Of The Scariest Halloween Animatronics That Will Make Everyone Jump
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We're not sure which is more fun: trick-or-treating or scaring the trick-or-treaters. On Halloween, everyone wins because getting scared is half the fun, and scaring others is the other half. Plus, there is candy. To make your house the one everyone where everyone wants to stop, create the right atmosphere with décor.
Animatronic Halloween decorations have recently increased in popularity, and this spooky holiday is beginning to rival Christmas for decorating. According to Yahoo!, over half of all Americans intend to decorate, spending approximately $3.2 billion collectively on scary décor. If you're looking to increase the fear factor for your trick-or-treaters this Halloween, consider adding some animatronics. You don't have to spend a lot of money to startle your visitors — animatronic Halloween decorations are available from around $30 to over $500. So, whatever your budget, you can add a little extra spookiness to your space to celebrate this fun holiday. And don't forget to buy good candy.
1. Banshee zombie
Even if this Halloween decoration did not light up and move, it would be terrifying. The Haunted Hill Farm Banshee Zombie from Lowe's has everything you need to make your blood curdle for just under $100. This black-cloaked creature can be placed indoors or under a covered porch. At almost 4 feet long, this animatronic zombie only requires three AA batteries, so its placement is not limited to having access to an outlet. Penny Electric suggests using rechargeable batteries to reduce waste and keep your animatronics running efficiently throughout the holiday.
Your guests will be terrified when they see this Banshee Zombie walk and move from side to side as its eyes flash red. Place it in a dark corner of your porch to make your guests jump when they hear this creepy creature moan and groan, or add it to your Halloween dinner party décor to startle your guests as they enter the bathroom. Really, there's no wrong place to put the Banshee Zombie (except out in the rain because it's not waterproof).
2. Witch hand candy bowl
You might remember this fearsome classic from your childhood. The Green Witch Hand Candy Bowl on Amazon is about $30 and is a timeless and inexpensive way to make your guests jump as they reach for candy and are met with an animatronic hand reaching back for them. Place this candy bowl on your porch if you are going to be out for the night to allow trick-or-treaters to help themselves. Instead of placing the witch hand candy bowl on a table by the door, consider pairing it with a skeleton or other Halloween decoration to make it even spookier.
Of course, to tempt your tiny tricksters, you'll have to offer them the best candy. Thrillist rated the top 31 best Halloween candies of all time. They consider the top five best sweet treats for trick-or-treaters to be Butterfinger, KitKat, Snickers, Twix, and, in the number one spot, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. We cannot say that we disagree.
3. Chucky doll
Chucky from the "Child's Play" movie series is known for his catchphrases, according to Screenrant, and some of those famous phrases are captured in the $62 Animatronic Chucky Doll from Lowe's. This motion and sound-activated doll is about 2 feet tall, but don't underestimate his ability to scare because of his demure size — it certainly did not affect his ability to terrify viewers in the movies!
With his signature red hair and stitched face, the Chucky doll is scary whether you have seen his films or not. As you or your guests walk by, this animatronic decoration slashes the air with his knife while speaking one of 17 classic phrases. Chucky is an indoor-only piece of Halloween décor, so add him to your mantle or anywhere you need a touch of terror. If a Halloween party is in your future, consider adding the Animatronic Chucky Doll to your coat closet to really make your friends jump!
4. Slashing bat
The Animated Slashing Bat from Halloween Costumes is truly terrifying, and at less than $50 each, you can increase the scare factor by hanging several together as a group. Although bats are not actually evil, according to GPA Consulting, many people associate them with often repeated horror stories and scary movies, which makes them a shoo-in as a scary Halloween decoration.
At about 30 inches long and 24 inches wide, the Slashing Bat is motion-activated and outdoor-friendly, so you can hang these creepy creatures from your trees to give your trick-or-treaters a real fright as they approach your door. Other hanging options include your porch ceiling or even inside your home. When activated, the Slashing Bat makes a screeching noise while its red eyes flash and arms wave. Just remember that real bats don't do any of those things. They are kind creatures, and these decorations are just for fun.
5. Lunging reaper
If you have the budget for a big, scary animatronic piece of Halloween décor sure to make everyone jump, consider the 6-foot-tall Lunging Reaper Digiteye Animated Prop from The Horror Dome. For $319, you get a huge skeleton draped in a ragged black cloak holding a scythe with several programmable options. When activated, his light blue eyes look around as he utters one of four phrases. Just when you think that's all he's going to do, he lunges toward you with his skeletal hand. This large decorative item needs quite a bit of energy for all its movements, so it comes with a power cord and must be placed near an outlet.
It's pretty obvious why the grim reaper is scary — just look at him! But the story behind his mythical creature is equally terrifying, according to Britannica. The tale of the grim reaper likely originated during the 14th century as the Black Death swept through Europe. Over time, the character has evolved into a pop culture icon closely associated with Halloween.