‘Lanterns’ Joins HBO’s Elite as One of the Network’s Most Successful New Shows Ever
When DC Studios launched ‘Lanterns’, expectations were sky-high. The series introduces the Green Lantern Corps, the intergalactic force tasked with keeping law and order across the galaxy, as Earth’s representative Hal Jordan teams up with John Stewart, the rookie being groomed to replace him.
Their mission brings them to the small town of Rushville, Nebraska, to investigate a strange crime. The grounded, mystery-driven approach marked a bold swing for James Gunn’s DCU, and critics responded warmly, with GamesRadar+ awarding the series 4.5 stars and declaring that it showed the DCU was back on track.
Now the numbers are backing up the buzz. ‘Lanterns’ has become HBO’s third most successful new series ever, trailing only ‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘The Last of Us’, according to figures highlighted by streaming commentator Luiz Fernando.
The achievement is especially impressive given the competition. According to the same report, ‘Lanterns’ has even topped ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ in first-season performance. The show’s growth has been steady.
The premiere has reached 20 million viewers since its debut, while Episode 3 drew 10 million global viewers in just 3 days, including 7 million from the US alone. That Episode 3 tally surpassed what the premiere managed over the same 3-day window. The jump suggested positive word of mouth was helping the series pick up momentum week after week.
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
Nielsen data has also been encouraging. According to ComicBook.com, Episodes 1 through 4 generated 500 million viewing minutes, placing ‘Lanterns’ in the Top 10 of all streaming content across every platform. That put it ahead of a recent DC favorite. ‘The Penguin’ didn’t crack the Nielsen Top 10 until its finale had aired and the full season was streaming on HBO Max.
The series has kept drawing in new fans as well. Recent figures showed that 1.5 million new viewers watched the premiere in a single week, and Episode 3’s 10 million global viewers remain the show’s best worldwide result.
Still, ‘Lanterns’ has some ground to cover against HBO’s biggest franchises. Recent worldwide per-episode averages include 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.
Even so, the series has been described as both a critical and viewership win for HBO and DC Studios. For a brand-new superhero show built around lesser-known characters, that’s a significant accomplishment.
The reaction online has been just as enthusiastic. A DiscussingFilm post about the show’s numbers racked up more than 3 million views, with one fan playfully calling it the most generational comic book show of the year.
The latest milestone post sharing the news has also drawn more than 150,000 views. Many fans see the success as proof that the DCU’s TV side is thriving. With strong ratings and glowing reviews, ‘Lanterns’ has given the DCU a much-needed boost. Season 2 is already in early development, giving fans plenty to look forward to as Hal and John’s story continues.
If the show keeps building on this momentum, it may soon climb even higher among HBO’s biggest hits. For now, joining ‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘The Last of Us’ at the top is an impressive start.
Do you think ‘Lanterns’ deserves its place among HBO’s biggest new shows?
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!
