HBO’s ‘Lanterns’ Receives Strong Praise from Critics and Audiences Alike

DC Studios has experienced a varied journey in establishing James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new shared universe. Some projects have found success, while others have struggled to capture audience interest. This weekend’s premiere of ‘Lanterns‘ served as a crucial test for whether HBO’s darker, detective-driven take on Green Lantern could resonate, especially given the extensive promotional efforts leading up to its launch.

Co-created by Damon Lindelof, Chris Mundy, and Tom King, the series features Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, two intergalactic officers drawn into a murder investigation set in the American heartland. Throughout its promotional campaign, comparisons to ‘True Detective’ were prevalent, and these intensified as reviews began to surface ahead of its August 16 premiere on HBO and HBO Max.

The reviews have proven to be some of the best the DCU has seen to date. ‘Lanterns’ debuted with a 90% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, and as audience feedback rolled in post-premiere, the show’s Popcornmeter score rose even higher to 92%, showcasing a rare alignment between critics and viewers. Rotten Tomatoes’ critic consensus highlights the show as providing “a controlled and fantastical escape,” praising the performances of Chandler and Pierre, along with the grounded writing and strong chemistry between the leads.

Audience reactions have mirrored this acclaim. According to CBR, viewer reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with many awarding the show perfect five-star ratings and describing it as everything they desired from a Green Lantern adaptation, commending its captivating mystery, rich mythology, and stunning cosmic visuals.

Despite its strong reception, ‘Lanterns’ does not hold the title of the highest-rated DC show to date. Both ‘Creature Commandos’ and ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 boast higher Tomatometer scores at 95% and 94% respectively, while Matt Reeves’ ‘The Penguin’ also surpasses it at 95%. Nevertheless, achieving a score above shows like ‘Superman’ at 83% and far exceeding the 25% rating of the critically panned 2011 ‘Green Lantern’ film marks a significant leap for the character’s live-action legacy after years of underwhelming adaptations.

Not all critics have joined the chorus of praise. San Francisco Chronicle critic Zaki Hassan expressed concerns about the show’s tone, suggesting a need for a balance between campy CGI superhero elements and Chandler’s darker, profanity-laden approach. Similarly, The New York Times’ Mike Hale rated the show as “rotten,” arguing that it focuses too heavily on the darker aspects of the superhero’s journey rather than embracing the character’s broader cosmic adventures.

‘Lanterns’ premiered on Sunday, August 16, airing on HBO cable at 9 p.m. ET/PT and streaming simultaneously on HBO Max. The season consists of eight episodes, with new episodes releasing weekly. Reports indicate that work has already begun on a potential second season, even though HBO has yet to formally renew the show, signaling confidence in its early success.

With strong reviews from both critics and audiences now established, ‘Lanterns’ has emerged as one of the more promising entries in DC Studios’ evolving shared universe. The near parity in critic and audience scores, combined with the ongoing development of a second season, suggests that HBO may have another hit on its hands.

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