Season 1 – Lanterns

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Season 1 – Lanterns

Next Ep Oct 4

Drama

Sci-Fi

Action

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

92%

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144 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Based on the DC comic "Green Lantern," drama series "Lanterns" follows new recruit John Stewart and "Lantern" legend Hal Jordan. These two intergalactic cops are drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland. In association with Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios, the HBO series provides a fresh live action take on the popular universe and its characters. Emmy nominee Chris Mundy serves as showrunner and executive producer for this original detective story.

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Critics Consensus

Lanterns lights the way to a controlled and fantastical escape, in which Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre bring audiences into their world of wonder through fearless performances, grounded writing, and charismatic chemistry.

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Audience Says

Tempering superhero spectacle with prestige drama, Lanterns is a well-written mystery that shines thanks to the magnetic alchemy between Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre.

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Melanie McFarland

Salon.com

Aug 25, 2026

The world of “Lanterns” prefers to be bracingly honest about our false assumptions about heroism and whether the people we deem to be noble really are... That is what makes a Lantern a hero, and this adaptation one of the best of its kind in a long time.

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Peter Travers

The Travers Take

Aug 21, 2026

3/4

Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre go way beyond the call of comic-book duty to bring humanity to the usual alien mashup. Much appreciated.

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J. Kelly Nestruck

Globe and Mail

Aug 21, 2026

The Green Lantern mythos is too goofy to be grounded no matter how much swearing or sex is added in. I’d rather HBO had hired co-creator Damon Lindelof to make another season of Watchmen instead.

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Erik Kain

Forbes

5 days ago

I just don’t get the logic behind any of this, and the conflict between Hal and John has felt contrived from the get-go. The emotional place this episode arrives at with the eulogy and the funeral feels unearned.

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Jinal Bhatt

Variety India

6 days ago

4/5

The barbed chemistry between Kyle Chandler's Hal and Aaron Pierre's John offers both depth and comic relief. The writing in "Lanterns" remains its neatest trick, especially in how it probes and questions what it means to be chosen as a superhero.

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Armond White

National Review

6 days ago

Showrunners Chris Mundy and Damon Lindelof refuse to let Lanterns be kids’ stuff. They manipulate the story’s jumbled conceit shamelessly.

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KC T

@RT07058215 2 days ago

Excellent writing. A well crafted story with fun dialogue delivered by an incredibly talented cast. The plot is interesting and revealed slowly in a way that trusts its audience. But I have to say, the characters are the most engaging and entertaining part of the show. Pierre and Chandler embody Stewart and Jordan, imbuing them with unexpected depth. Their antagonistic chemistry as co-stars is also off the charts. "I bet he really liked you. I also bet he never said it." I didn't plan on watching this show since DC isn't really my bag, but the first episode hooked me immediately. More than just a great superhero show, it's excellent, prestige television in its own right.

Noemi R

@ambermodest 2 days ago

The show gets better and better with each episode.

Gavin M

@RT80967595 2 days ago

Awesome show, could be a gritty crime drama the fact it’s in the DC universe is the least impressive part of this show.

Tom J

@TJ_90 2 days ago

Just what the DCU needs to bring in audiences. For someone who isn’t familiar with the Green Lanterns this has got me interested in the characters and to explore more in other media.

Bryan J

@RT09374210 2 days ago

I’m tired of the Lindelof bait-and-switch. You think you’re about to stream a fun superhero series, but it’s actually an 8 hour reeducation on the history of racism. Black, white -- we don't care. Just show more Green!

P L

@Roomview 3 days ago

I really enjoy the human prospective it brings to the Green Lantern persona. Excellent cast. I am looking forward to where this storyline is going.

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Aaron Pierre

John Stewart

Kyle Chandler

Hal Jordan

Nathan Fillion

Guy Gardner

Kelly Macdonald

Kerry

Laura Linney

Actor

Garret Dillahunt

William Macon

Episode 1

Aired Aug 16, 2026

Pilot

After a fatal shooting, Green Lantern Hal Jordan and new recruit John Stewart set out to prove it was an extraterrestrial event.

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Episode 2

Aired Aug 23, 2026

Trust Fall

Green Lantern Hal Jordan and new recruit John Stewart investigate a deadly shooting to prove an alien force was involved.

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Episode 3

Aired Aug 30, 2026

OutKast

John's parents train him to become the perfect candidate for the next Green Lantern. However, as John trains under Hal, he is disillusioned by Hal's teachings.

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Episode 4

Aired Sep 6, 2026

The Weenie

Hal and John press forward with their investigation into Manhunter's true identity. The Guardians grow restless in their efforts to replace Hal.

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Episode 5

Aired Sep 13, 2026

Lights Out

Rushville mobilizes to confront an escalating threat; later, Hal risks everything to eliminate the Manhunter when John is cornered into an impossible choice.

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Episode 6

Aired Sep 20, 2026

Bad Optics⁩

As John tries to move forward, the mysteries of Rushville refuse to let him go.

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Episode 7

Aired Sep 27, 2026

The Jordan Boys' Legacy⁩

John and Hal reluctantly team up to solve a pressing murder – and find themselves on another planet.

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Episode 8

Airs Oct 4

Following new recruit John Stewart and "Lantern" legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.

Details

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