‘Lanterns’ Becomes One of HBO’s Biggest New Shows Ever Behind ‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘The Last of Us’
Superhero television has faced challenges in recent years, and the DCU has seen its fair share of critics. However, when a lesser-known Green Lantern story starts drawing comparisons to HBO’s top hits, it certainly warrants attention. The viewership numbers for ‘Lanterns’ are rising rapidly.
The series debuted on August 16 and concluded its eight-episode run on October 4. Created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, it features Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as rookie John Stewart. The duo travels to Rushville, Nebraska, to investigate a peculiar crime, focusing more on character development and murder mystery than on flashy action.
Recent viewership statistics have placed it among elite company. Streaming expert Luiz Fernando reports that ‘Lanterns’ is quickly becoming HBO’s third most successful first season, trailing only ‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘The Last of Us.’ It has also reportedly surpassed ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.’
The premiere was a significant success. Warner Bros. Discovery announced that it attracted 9.3 million global viewers within its first three days, including 6.6 million in the U.S., marking it as the largest DC Studios premiere in HBO Max history. Fernando’s data indicates that the premiere has reached 20 million viewers since its launch.
What’s particularly noteworthy is the growth in viewership. Episode 3 garnered 10 million global viewers in three days, with 7 million from the U.S., surpassing the premiere’s numbers from the same timeframe two weeks earlier. This episode marked the show’s highest worldwide viewership, suggesting that positive word of mouth is contributing to its success.
On FlixPatrol’s HBO Max chart, ‘Lanterns’ even overtook ‘House of the Dragon’ after its second episode, achieving a series-high of 568 points on August 26, while the dragon drama fell to 463.
In context, ‘Lanterns’ averaged nearly 19 million viewers per episode globally leading into the finale, combining Nielsen’s linear measurements with HBO Max streams. While this is below the averages of the biggest shows, which have recently seen per-episode figures of 37 million for ‘The Last of Us’ season 2, 36 million for ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,’ and 33 million for ‘House of the Dragon’ season 3, it remains a remarkable achievement for a new superhero series centered on lesser-known characters.
The show has also climbed Nielsen’s streaming chart to No. 7, with 534 million minutes watched, marking its third consecutive week on the list and its highest total yet.
The audience growth has been matched by critical acclaim. The series holds a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes from over 130 reviews, with much of the praise directed at the dynamic between Chandler and Pierre’s characters. Critics appreciated its ability to let the murder mystery unfold without rushing into superhero tropes.
GamesRadar awarded it 4.5 stars, asserting that it demonstrates the DCU is back on track. Collider has labeled it a global streaming success, noting its top position on HBO Max’s chart according to FlixPatrol.
However, there’s a catch: the show has not yet been renewed. HBO has not ordered a second season, and the network’s head, Casey Bloys, has indicated that none is currently in development. The Ankler reported that a renewal is “not imminent,” as HBO awaits pitch pages from a writers’ room led by Mundy and Christopher Cantwell.
DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn referred to the finale as a “season finale,” but that does not equate to a renewal. Lindelof and King will not return if HBO decides to proceed. Comparisons to ‘The Penguin,’ which averaged over 27 million viewers per episode yet never received a second season, leave fans feeling anxious.
No evil shall escape their sight. Watch the official trailer now. #Lanterns arrives August 16 on @hbomax. https://t.co/PQdkto9G2R
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 24, 2026
For now, the numbers tell a compelling story. If the finale boosts the show’s final viewership, HBO may find it difficult to overlook the case for a return. Until then, Hal and John’s journey remains uncertain.
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