Ryan Reynolds’ 2011 ‘Green Lantern’ Finds New Life Thanks to HBO Max’s ‘Lanterns’

The streaming landscape can often surprise us, and this week brought an unexpected twist for DC enthusiasts. Once labeled as one of the genre’s most infamous box office flops, ‘Green Lantern’ is experiencing a revival more than ten years after its theatrical debut. A mix of nostalgia, curiosity, and the buzz surrounding a new series has reignited interest in this old franchise.

That series is ‘Lanterns,’ and its success is directly linked to the resurgence of ‘Green Lantern.’ Following its premiere, the show attracted 9.3 million viewers globally across HBO and HBO Max in just three days, with 6.6 million of those viewers hailing from the United States. This impressive launch places ‘Lanterns’ among HBO Max’s top five series debuts, prompting long-time fans to revisit all things related to ‘Green Lantern.’

A recent Top 10 Movies chart on HBO Max highlights the impact of this revival. Ryan Reynolds’ 2011 ‘Green Lantern’ film has climbed to the No. 8 position, while the animated ‘Green Lantern: Beware My Power’ sits at No. 9. This is quite remarkable for a film that grossed only $219.5 million worldwide against a $200 million production budget, marking it as one of the more notorious financial letdowns of its time.

The link between the past and present is no coincidence. Reynolds’ 2011 film has recently become the fourth most-watched movie on HBO Max worldwide, a surge directly correlated with the ‘Lanterns’ premiere on August 16. Reports even indicate that the movie briefly topped HBO Max’s charts in the UK, showcasing a stunning turnaround for a film that was often ridiculed by comic book fans.

What makes this moment intriguing is the stark contrast in how ‘Lanterns’ approaches its source material compared to the film. The new series centers on Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, as he mentors rookie John Stewart, portrayed by Aaron Pierre, through a murder investigation with cosmic implications set in the heart of America. This grounded, mystery-driven narrative has resonated well with critics, earning a 95 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes from 73 reviews and an 85 percent audience score.

Whether viewers are tuning in to the 2011 film out of nostalgia or to witness the franchise’s evolution, the numbers indicate that DC has stumbled upon an unintentional success. It’s a rare instance where a critically panned blockbuster gets a second chance thanks to the success of a spinoff television series.

This situation speaks volumes about the influence of a strong show, as a movie once dismissed as a joke is now must-watch content again. So, which version of Hal Jordan do you believe deserves the more significant redemption arc—Reynolds on the big screen or Chandler on the small one?