Lanterns has just hit a vital streaming milestone that comes as the perfect update as the DC series’ fate hangs in the balance. Prior to 2026, the image many had of Green Lantern was that of Ryan Reynolds’ ill-received live-action movie from 2011. However, that has since changed, with Lanterns becoming the first live-action Green Lantern project since that film. The new HBO series has quickly gained traction as one of the biggest hits of the year, breaking records for both the linear HBO channel and on streaming on HBO Max. Lanterns stars Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart.
Lanterns debuted on HBO and HBO Max on August 16. There are only three episodes left in the DC Universe series‘ first season, with James Gunn releasing the Lanterns mid-season trailer to tease what is in store for the show. That includes the return of Ulrich Thomsen’s Sinestro, John and Hal venturing into another planet, theories about how Chandler’s Hal Jordan might have been saved by Manhunter technology, Nathan Fillion’s Lanterns debut as Guy Gardner, and more. Before those moments make it to the small screen, Lanterns has just hit a vital HBO Max milestone that is perfect for the show’s future.
Lanterns Can’t Be Stopped On Global Streaming Charts
Lanterns has officially hit 30 days on HBO Max’s Top 10 TV Shows chart in the United States. After becoming an instant global streaming sensation, DC’s new series is also proving itself a strong contender week-to-week. At the time of writing, the show that has been trending for the longest time on HBO Max nationwide is the reality series 90 Day Fiancé, at a whopping 242 days. While Lanterns might still have a long way to get on that level, by spending a full month on the streamer’s top chart in the US, the new DC and HBO collaboration proves itself an enduring hit.
Additionally, Lanterns is currently the most-watched TV show on HBO Max in the United States. While 90 Day Fiancé might have a longer total time on the streaming service’s Top 10 TV Shows chart, it is now at 4th. Lanterns also leaves behind shows like 90 Day: The Last Resort, The Big Bang Theory‘s spin-off shows Stuart Fails to Save the Universe and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, Rick and Morty‘s spin-off President Curtis, and more. In Canada, Lanterns has also hit the 30-day milestone, though it comes from Amazon Channels, and it is a list that also includes movies, ranking higher than Supergirl.
What’s The Future Of The DC Show Looking Like?
As of now, Lanterns has yet to be officially renewed for season 2. However, a writers’ room has already been started for the DC show’s possible second season, which would have Chris Mundy (Ozark) returning as showrunner and being joined by Christopher Cantwell (Halt and Catch Fire) as co-showrunner. The latest update on Lanterns season 2 came from a new report from The Ankler, which stated that there are no plans to make a decision on whether to renew Lanterns anytime soon.
Despite the show’s record-breaking nature — it had one of HBO Max’s five largest series debuts — executives seem to want to wait until Lanterns season 1 finishes airing to look at the full picture, and the fact that Lanterns keeps hitting vital streaming milestones to classify it as a huge hit are perfect for the DC series’ season 2 chances.
- Release Date
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August 16, 2026
- Network
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HBO
- Showrunner
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Chris Mundy
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Aaron Pierre
John Stewart
