Season 1 – Lanterns

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Season 1 – Lanterns

Aug 2026

Drama

Sci-Fi

Action

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

153 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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Josh Wilding

ComicBookMovie.com

22 hrs ago

2/5

Lanterns' leads shine bright, but even they can't save this abysmal adaptation of the comics that, embarrassed by the source material it's based on, delivers a woefully bland and uninspired take on Green Lantern that's another miss for the DCU.

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Kshitij Rawat

FandomWire

1 day ago

8/10

Lanterns delivers a subdued but emotional finale for Hal Jordan and a compelling beginning for John Stewart. Here's hoping the story continues.

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Erik Kain

Forbes

Sep 23, 2026

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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Samuel P

@RT59756644 2 days ago

Tenía cierto recelo de cómo adaptarian los conceptos fantásticos del lore de Green Lantern pero mis dudas fueron despejadas desde el 1er episodio. Claro, no es la opera espacial que uno esperaría pero (en su defensa) debo decir que me enamoraron sus diálogos inteligentes. Su comedia involuntaria y para nada forzada. Y la química de sus protagonistas. Sin duda hereda la sazón de su producción hermana "True Detective" desarrollando un misterio bien estructurado y unos personajes entrañables. Aguante DC Comics 🤩🥰💚

Kevin K

@RehteokReviews 2 days ago

Much like Old Man Logan, Lanterns strips away the untouchable myth to expose the weary, flawed human hiding behind the suit. Rather than losing itself in weightless cosmic spectacle, the series plants its boots in the dirt. The scripts are razor-sharp, prioritizing psychological depth and procedural dread over mindless action beats. Kyle Chandler brings a haunting, lived-in cynicism to an aging Hal Jordan, while Aaron Pierre matches him with disciplined, simmering intensity as John Stewart. Their generational friction feels completely earned, avoiding tired buddy-cop clichés. Crucially, the production grounds the mythos through a seamless blend of practical effects and understated CGI, giving every burst of hard light tangible physical weight. For anyone who loves exploring the psychological origins and moral costs behind the comics, Lanterns is an essential watch!

Alexis T

@RT64518372 2 days ago

I love that John was given a back story. I’m enjoying the constant drama and on the edge suspension. You have to stay focus while watching and I love it season 2 hurry up!!

Oledys J

@RT25237767 2 days ago

It's a really good show. I'm enjoying it.

Gale C

@karatomato 2 days ago

This show gives me goosebumps. Amazing acting, writing and production design. Love it.

Lucas J

@JonesReview 2 days ago

Final episode has to show me a comic accurate suit.

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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

Aired Oct 4, 2026

Episode 8

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.

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