We are getting closer and closer to Halloween. As they typically do in the late spring/early summer Spirit Halloween is starting to reveal which items will be returning for 2018. Earlier today Spirit sent out an email touting the Smoldering Zombie Groundbreaker from 2016 as one of their animatronics that will be available this year.

In case you haven’t seen the Smoldering Zombie Groundbreaker animated prop here is a refresher.

The Smoldering Zombie Groundbreaker doesn’t say anything when he is activated. He sways back and forth and groans as he tried to stand up and bite you. Unfortunately for the animatronic zombie he’s doomed to live out the rest of his days sitting up on the ground with nowhere to go but your Halloween party.

Like most props sold in the summertime the Smoldering Zombie Groundbreaker is only available for pre-order and won’t ship until mid-August. At $139.99 the prop is reasonably priced. However, it’s important to note that you will need a fog machine in order to have the smoldering effect like you see in the video. Without it you only have a groundbreaking zombie animated prop.

I like the look of the Smoldering Zombie Groundbreaker but I’ll likely pass on him and hold out to see what new items are coming out in a few months. Even though zombie props are really popular, the Smoldering Zombie Groundbreaker has been around for several years. If I really wanted him I would’ve added him to my collection already.

Now that Spirit Halloween is starting to announce the returning items it’s only a matter of time before they start revealing the new stuff for 2018. Typically those announcements come in late June/early July and they are preceded by teaser videos on their social media accounts. A few days later the official unveiling comes when Spirit Halloween upload a video of the prop in action. Stay tuned folks….