Lanterns has delivered a strong opening despite facing backlash following its premiere. The DC Studios series is already approaching the early performance of The Penguin, another recent DC show that drew a substantial audience after its debut. The comparison highlights the strong level of interest Lanterns has garnered in its first few days.
Lanterns brought in over 9.3 million views in three days
According to Variety, Lanterns has recorded more than 9.3 million views during its first three days on HBO and HBO Max. HBO said the series reached 6.6 million viewers in the United States over the same period, giving the DC Studios production its strongest three-day premiere on HBO Max so far. The launch also places Lanterns among the platform’s five biggest premieres.
The opening numbers give the series a strong position among recent HBO and HBO Max releases. The Penguin reached 10.4 million viewers across platforms during its first 11 days in 2024, while It: Welcome to Derry recorded 5.7 million viewers during its first three days in 2025.
The series follows Hal Jordan and John Stewart as they investigate a murder that draws them into a mystery in the American heartland. Kyle Chandler portrays Jordan, an experienced Green Lantern, while Aaron Pierre plays Stewart, a newly recruited member of the Corps. Their investigation takes them to Nebraska, where what appears to be a local case begins to reveal more troubling secrets.
The ensemble cast includes Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Jason Ritter, Ulrich Thomsen and Laura Linney. Nathan Fillion also appears as Guy Gardner. Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King developed the series, which received an eight-episode order from HBO.
Lanterns premiered on August 16, 2026, as part of the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. The series is following a weekly release schedule, with its eighth and final episode set to arrive on October 4, 2026. It has also received a strong critics’ response, earning a 94 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, while its audience rating currently stands at 83 percent.
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on SuperHeroHype.
