Lanterns Premiere Draws 9.3 Million Viewers, Outperforming Peacemaker and The Penguin

The HBO and HBO Max series Lanterns, based on DC's Green Lantern comics, premiered on Sunday, Aug. 16, attracting 9.3 million viewers in its first three days across cable and streaming. Of those, 6.6 million (71%) were from the U.S., according to figures shared by HBO and HBO Max via The Hollywood Reporter. This debut outperformed the DCU's Peacemaker and Creature Commandos, as well as 2024's The Penguin. The series stars Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, Earth's first Green Lantern, and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, a new recruit. The plot follows the duo as they investigate a mass shooting at a high school football game in Rushville, Neb., suspecting aliens are responsible. Created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, Lanterns is the second series in James Gunn and Peter Safran's new DC Universe, following 2024's Creature Commandos and 2025's Peacemaker Seasons 1 and 2. The cast also includes Kelly Macdonald as Sheriff Kerry Kane, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Jason Ritter, and Nathan Fillion, who reprises his role as Guy Gardner from Superman and Peacemaker Season 2. The premiere's success suggests a rebound for the DCU after the box office disappointment of Supergirl earlier in the summer. New episodes will stream on HBO Max Sundays at 9 p.m. ET and air on HBO at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The eight-episode season runs through Oct. 4.