Season 1 – Lanterns

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Season 1 – Lanterns

Aug 2026

Drama

Sci-Fi

Action

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

160 Reviews

67%

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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Eric Deggans

NPR

Oct 8, 2026

The result is a show relatable and compelling for people who aren't comic book fans -- real drama, unfolding over eight episodes of high-quality television.

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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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Jonathan Garcia

Dynamic Duel Podcast

10 hrs ago

4/5

Trading cosmic spectacle for compelling character drama, the season’s stellar leads outshine its uneven mysteries, weak villains, and frustrating finale.

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Fico Cangiano

CineXpress

Oct 12, 2026

4/5

Full of origin stories, whodunit mysteries & a great introduction to this area of the DC universe, Lanterns is one of the best live-action superhero TV series I've ever seen. Plus, Chandler & Pierre are top-tier casting. [Full review in Spanish]

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Adam Hlavac

Heroes Reforged (YouTube)

Oct 9, 2026

From the moment it starts to the moment it ends, Lanterns is driven by character and story. The spectacle is part of its DNA, but at its core, it’s about Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and their relationship.

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WENDI D

@wendidunlap1 7 hrs ago

Amazing modernization of the Lantern mythos that highlighted the humanity of our heroes through relatable and relevant lenses. There is no doubt the writer's' room included a cross section of experiences and perspectives. Funny at times, heartbreaking and poignant at others. Once again, HBO and DC deliver exceptional TV!

Leonid M

@zzmey 9 hrs ago

An enjoyable but uneven first season. Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) investigate a mystery in small-town Nebraska. The grounded detective tone gives the show personality, but makes its superhero premise feel smaller than it should. The cast is the main strength. Chandler gives Hal weary authority, while Pierre makes John disciplined and easy to root for. Their chemistry works well, and Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner adds welcome attitude. The story is weaker: decent, but often slow and predictable. There is too much atmosphere and not enough gripping plot. I also wanted more spectacle—few imaginative ring constructs, action scenes, or cosmic-scale moments. Still, it works as a character-driven superhero detective story. With a stronger plot and bolder visuals, the next season could be excellent. 7/10 — great actors, but the story and effects need more power.

Adam S

@asiravo26 10 hrs ago

Excellent show about trauma, and overcoming your programming. Great writing and chandler and Pierre are a drug we need more of.

Grumio R

@RT19759922 11 hrs ago

A weekly insult to fans of the comic. I kept hoping they had a plan and it would pay off by the finale, and boy was I wrong.

Ivy A

@RT78449800 13 hrs ago

One of the best series that's come out all year! It was so good to finally see live action lanterns adaptation even if it didn't have a lot of over the top cinematics that we would expect from a movie, the plot and characters were amazing and I can't wait for season 2 & the movie!!!

Zeke C

@thewatcher 20 hrs ago

Great adaption wish we got to see more of hal Jorden

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Geeta Vasant Patel

Director

Alik Sakharov

Director

James Hawes

Director

Stephen Williams

Director

Aaron Pierre

John Stewart

Kyle Chandler

Hal Jordan

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.

Details

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

Aired Oct 4, 2026

Dirt and Stars

As John continues his search for the killer, a new discovery emerges.

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