Let’s rank the rarest Home Depot Halloween props and animatronics!
Home Depot has been releasing Halloween decorations long enough that they have now built up an archive of dearly missed decorations. In this article I am going to attempt to rank some of the rarest of all of them.
Since rarity is subjective, try not to get too caught up in the order of the items, just know that if you have any on this list you might be sitting on a goldmine!
1. T-Rex (2017)
Credit: The Home Depot
The T-Rex is arguable the rarest of all the Home Depot Halloween animatronics. Standing at 8 ft. 2 in., he is the king of the dinosaur props. His eyes glow red and his mouth moves to his massive roar.
When compiling this list I noticed that the giant T-Rex continued to be mentioned when polling people on the rarest of Home Depot props. It returned in 2018, but it is extremely difficult to find any sellers now.
It would be cool to see Home Depot explore the dinosaur niche again in the near future.
2. Headless Horseman (2018)
Credit: The Home Depot
Inspired by Washington Ivring’s The Legend of Sleep Hollow, Home Depot’s Headless Horseman flew off the shelves upon release. And who didn’t see that coming? No matter what company makes a prop like this, the concept is irresistible to a Halloween lover.
It looks phenomenal and features an animated kicking motion with the horse, a glowing pumpkin, and even the ability to attach a fog machine to give them appearance of fog coming from the horse’s mouth.
Snagging one of these will be a difficult task. Thankfully Home Depot will be giving us another headless horseman prop this year, which is inspired by Irish folklore.
3. Haunted Hearse and Skeleton Pony
Credit: The Home Depot
If this article was titled “Most Desired Home Depot Halloween Props and Animatronics” the Haunted Hearse and Skeleton Pony would be at the top of the list, and it wouldn’t even be close
Search any Halloween forum or Facebook group and you will notice that there are people constantly searching for this decoration.
The hearse and pony do not move. Instead it’s the flickering lights from either side of the hearse that create the movement. The skeleton at the helm of the hearse has some decent dialogue and horse and bell sounds add to the mood. I love the hearse at night when the red light bathes the ill fated skeleton lying down inside.
The skeleton pony was sold separately, which is a little odd considering a Victorian style hearse is worthless without a horse pulling it.
4. Ferry of the Dead (2021)
Credit: The Home Depot
Home Depot took a risk on this one and ended up hitting a home run.
The concept of a Grim Reaper-like figure slowly paddling a vessel of lost souls is just plain creepy. The detail is one of the best I’ve seen from HD. Starting with the skulls at the front of the ship to the illuminating lantern in the back.
The animation of Ferry Man (that’s why they call him) slowly paddling the oar is unsettling and mesmerizing. With the proper placement of fog and darkness, you can sell the idea of the ferry making it’s way through the sea.
The best part of the Ferry Man has to be his glowing red face, which is not utilized enough with Halloween decorations.
The only gripe I have with this piece is the dialogue. I don’t think he needs to speak. Some eerie ocean sound effects or a spooky soundtrack would have sufficed.
5. Pirate Ship (2019)
Credit: The Home Depot
I once heard a rumor that a popular beer company bought up most of these to promote a certain football team in the south Florida market. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know the Pirate Ship is a difficult find.
There’s no sound and the only movement is the Skeleton Captain turning the wheel, but we can forgive that when our eyes turn to all the fun aspects of this prop.
The one-eyed captain has a comical smile, as he captains a ship with the Jolly Roger flag proudly displayed behind him. I love the hole on the side and the skeleton decoration at the bow of the ship.
Many people will tell you that they are still bummed about not picking up the ship.
6. Zombie Horse (2018)
Credit: The Home Depot
There isn’t any movement with the Zombie Horse, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. What he lacks in movement, he makes up for in stature. Measuring at 7.5 ft. long, he’s a showstopper in anyone’s front yard.
The Zombie Horse also has some pretty creepy horse effects, which remind me of something I could hear while watching Sleepy Hollow.
The biggest downfall for the Zombie Horse is when you see him in the daylight. He just looks a bit too plastic to come off as realistic. If I had this prop I would only take him out a night, where the darkness leaves more to the imagination.
7. Motorcycle Riding Reaper (2017)
Credit: The Home Depot
The face is a latex mask and the hair is cheap. Other than that, the Motorcycle Riding Reaper is amazing!
For starters, they did a great job with the detail here. His jacket is adorned with various patches and the bike looks surprisingly realistic. I’m also happy they changed up the typical red eyes with glowing yellow ones.
The movement is a wheelie that he does while slowly ascending upward to a screeching sound. This guy has plenty of dialogue. Like most Halloween props, some of the dialogue is good, and some is downright terrible.
I would like to see Home Depot explore something similar to this in the future. I know it sold well at the time.
Favorite line: “You might have been born to be wild, but I died to be wild. And dead is forever.”
8. Man Eating Plant
Credit: The Home Depot
It talks with actual mouth movement, it stands 6 feet tall, and it lunges and shakes from side to side with glowing eyes. You don’t need to be a fan of Little Shop of Horrors to appreciate the uniqueness of the Man Eating Plant.
The Man Eating Plant will forever be known as the animatronic that we didn’t know we needed. I’m sure when it was released it fell under the radar of the casual shopper. Now it has cemented itself as a highly sought after decoration.
9. Winged Demon
Credit: The Home Depot
It isn’t the prettiest of their animatronics, but the Winged Demon is different in a good way.
The eyes of the demon light up and his mouth and head moves with his wings. Nothing looks terribly realistic though, including the face, which is really just a cheap latex mask.
But what I like about this guy is his blue eyes. You don’t see that often in a Halloween decoration. I also applaud Home Depot for getting a little edgy with the concept and dialogue.
Favorite line: “I don’t take just anybody into the pits of the underworld…luck you!”
10. Jack in the Box
Credit: The Home Depot
This might be the most underrated Halloween decoration that Home Depot has ever released.
The face is larger than life and is detailed with a menacing smile, clown makeup, and the appearance of cracked porcelain. I love that his mouth moves and his hands, which are also larger than life, are posed in a position that appears he is almost reaching out to grab you.
The dialogue is appropriate, but my favorite part is the creepy slowed down circus music.
If I could go back in time I wouldn’t hesitate to grab him for only $199.99…are you kidding me with that price?!
Favorite line: “I’ll find you in your dreams and conjure up some new things to be afraid of!”
11. Skeleton Sabretooth Tiger (2019)
Credit: The Home Depot
This is another one of those decorations that people didn’t understand at the time, but later came to appreciate the unique concept that makes it amazing.
The simple animation of his mouth moving in a howling motion is the exact same as the Howling Skeleton Wolf. Even his illuminated red eyes are the same. But it’s the fact that they went prehistoric on us that makes it so appealing. It’s like The Flintstones from hell and I’m all for it.
12. Scary Peeper Creeper (2016)
Credit: The Home Depot
You might not have known that Home Depot created a peeping Tom decoration. That’s probably because it didn’t take long before the complaints poured in and Home Depot yanked it from the shelves faster than they stock the Christmas decorations in October.
He didn’t move. He didn’t talk. You literally just stuck his uncomfortable looking face on a window and waited for the victim to scream in terror…or confusion?
This was Home Depot’s first real attempt to dip their toes into the prank category and it may be their last.
Be sure to comment down below if you feel I missed one!