Lawn mowers, the unsung heroes of suburban peace, have been popping up (pun intended) in Hollywood for years. Whether they’re symbols of ordinary life or tools of comedic mischief, these machines have left their mark on the cinematic world. One of the most iconic mower moments comes from Forrest Gump, but there are plenty more. Here are a few famous films where lawn mower brands make a memorable appearance.
Update (Feb 2, 2026): This list has been refreshed and republished for movie lovers looking for a fun winter watch list.
1. Snapper in Forrest Gump (1994)
Arguably the most iconic movie moment for lawn mower enthusiasts, Forrest Gump features Forrest (Tom Hanks) mowing a football field with a Snapper riding mower. After achieving financial success with his shrimp business (and a solid stock pick!), Forrest doesn’t splurge on luxuries. Instead, he chooses the simple joy of mowing. Snapper gained major recognition from this unforgettable scene.
2. John Deere in Taking Care of Business (1990)
In this comedy, starring James Belushi as an escaped convict who assumes the identity of a businessman, a memorable scene features a high-speed chase involving a John Deere riding mower. John Deere is best known for agricultural equipment, but this brief movie moment showed off the comedic potential of a mower in the middle of the action.
3. Lawn-Boy in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)
Remember the terrifying scene when the kids, shrunk to the size of insects, nearly get mowed down? That anxiety-inducing mower is a Lawn-Boy. It’s a classic moment that turns a normal suburban chore into a full-on survival scene.
4. Craftsman in Sling Blade (1996)
This drama-thriller starring Billy Bob Thornton gives the Craftsman brand a gritty edge. Thornton’s character, Karl, is an intellectually disabled man who builds a friendship with a young boy and winds up working on a Craftsman mower as part of his reintroduction to society. Here, the mower becomes a grounded, practical symbol of honest work and reintegration.
5. Toro in The Straight Story (1999)
Directed by David Lynch, The Straight Story tells the real-life journey of Alvin Straight, who traveled from Iowa to Wisconsin on a 1966 Toro lawn mower to reconcile with his ailing brother. In this film, the mower isn’t just a tool. It represents patience, determination, and the steady pace of someone committed to finishing what matters.
Happy Viewing
Lawn mowers might seem like everyday machines, but their appearances in movies show how much meaning can be packed into ordinary tools. They can represent simplicity and peace, like in Forrest Gump, or turn into something tense and dangerous, like in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
So the next time you’re mowing your lawn, remember: you’re not just cutting grass. You’re taking part in a small Hollywood tradition.