‘Lanterns’ Achieves Highest Rating Among DCU Projects on Rotten Tomatoes

The journey to establish a new DC Universe has been challenging for James Gunn and Peter Safran. Following the disappointing box office performance of ‘Supergirl’ and mixed reviews for several earlier entries, the rebooted DCU has spent much of 2026 striving to demonstrate its lasting appeal.

However, the narrative has shifted significantly in the past week. HBO’s ‘Lanterns,’ a gritty detective series featuring Hal Jordan and John Stewart, premiered its first episode to widespread critical acclaim, drawing immediate comparisons to prestigious dramas like ‘True Detective.’

These comparisons have translated into impressive metrics. ‘Lanterns’ has soared to a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, officially becoming the highest-rated project within the entire DC Universe, surpassing ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 at 94%, ‘Creature Commandos’ at 93%, ‘Superman’ at 83%, and ‘Supergirl’ at 52%.

This rise in ratings occurred remarkably quickly. The series initially debuted at 89% when its review embargo lifted on August 14, then climbed to 91% before the premiere, continuing to rise as more positive reviews emerged. The current score is based on 71 critic reviews, with an average rating of 7.65 out of 10.

Rotten Tomatoes’ official critics’ consensus praises the series for its “fearless performances, grounded writing, and charismatic chemistry” between stars Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre. This acclaim is echoed in individual reviews, highlighting the show’s unusually restrained, character-driven tone compared to typical superhero narratives.

ScreenRant awarded the series a 9/10, calling it the solo Green Lantern project that DC fans have long awaited, while CBR referred to ‘Lanterns’ as the best project in the DCU to date. Other critics noted the show’s murder-mystery framing and its willingness to embrace slower, more atmospheric storytelling as key strengths that distinguish it from previous franchise offerings.

Series co-creator James Gunn has previously described the show’s tonal approach as intentional, presenting it as a terrestrial, detective-style story centered on Hal Jordan and John Stewart as space cops investigating a mystery linked to the broader DCU narrative. This grounded approach seems to resonate strongly with critics, who have praised the show for feeling distinct from the franchise’s previous outputs.

The timing of this success is particularly significant given the franchise’s recent history. ‘Supergirl’s’ underwhelming theatrical performance and mixed reviews earlier this summer had raised doubts about the DCU’s overall trajectory, making ‘Lanterns’ reception feel like a pivotal moment for the franchise as it moves into its next wave of projects.

Co-creator Damon Lindelof addressed the pressure of meeting fan expectations in a recent interview, emphasizing that fans ultimately desire storytellers willing to take creative risks. He argued that relying too heavily on fan service often backfires, framing ‘Lanterns’ more grounded, unpredictable approach as a conscious departure from that instinct.

This risk appears to be paying off, at least in terms of critical reception. Discussions about a potential second season are already in progress, with writer Christopher Cantwell reportedly collaborating with showrunner Chris Mundy to explore future story directions.

It’s important to note that critics have only screened the first four episodes of the eight-episode season, meaning the score could still fluctuate as the story unfolds. Nevertheless, given how swiftly ‘Lanterns’ surpassed every other DCU title, the show has achieved something none of its predecessors managed to accomplish so convincingly.

As new episodes continue to be released weekly on HBO, ‘Lanterns’ now bears the responsibility of sustaining that momentum throughout its entire run.

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