When James Gunn took the creative reins at DC a few years ago, fans were buzzing—his track record with the Guardians of the Galaxy had earned him plenty of goodwill. His early DCU projects were well-received, but the release of Supergirl earlier this year sparked some doubts about the franchise's direction. It's worth noting Gunn didn't write or direct that film, but it still carried his approval. Now, Gunn is back in the driver's seat for the next big DCU movie, Man of Tomorrow, the Superman sequel starring David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult, set for 2027. That film will also feature other DCU veterans like Milly Alcock as Supergirl, and even a character introduced in the newest DCU project currently airing.
That project is Lanterns, the new HBO series that debuted its first episode last Sunday on HBO Max. Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre have officially joined the DCU, with Pierre already confirmed to reprise his role as John Stewart in Man of Tomorrow. Chandler's future in the DCU, however, has been thrown into question after a jaw-dropping twist in Episode 1. Now that the show has been streaming for a few days, the viewership numbers are in—and they're impressive.
Lanterns Episode 1 pulled in a whopping 9.3 million views in its first three days on the platform. That's enough to make it one of the top five biggest premieres in HBO history, even surpassing The Penguin, which took 11 days to reach 10.4 million views. The show's strong start is a clear sign that audiences are hungry for a grounded, sci-fi take on the Green Lantern mythos.
The series has been drawing comparisons to True Detective for its moody, character-driven storytelling, and it's easy to see why. With a creative team that includes Tom King, Chris Mundy, and Damon Lindelof—who have worked on acclaimed shows like True Detective and Ozark—Lanterns brings a fresh, serialized approach to the superhero genre. If you're a fan of that kind of slow-burn mystery, you might also enjoy AMC's Dark Winds, another crime thriller that's been praised for its gripping narrative.
So, how many episodes are in Lanterns Season 1? The first season consists of eight episodes, with new installments dropping every Sunday at 9 p.m. EST until the finale on October 4. While HBO hasn't officially renewed the show for a second season yet, the record-breaking viewership and positive reception from both critics and audiences bode well for its future. It's a strong start that could easily lead to more adventures with these intergalactic peacekeepers.
For those who've already binged the premiere, the twist involving Hal Jordan has left fans speculating about what's next. If you want a deeper dive into that shocking moment, check out our analysis of Hal Jordan's fate. And if you're looking for more sci-fi recommendations, Silo's third season has been making waves in the ratings, or you could revisit Will Smith's I, Robot when it hits Apple TV+.
With Lanterns off to such a strong start, it's clear that Gunn's DCU is finding its footing. The blend of gritty realism and cosmic scale is resonating with viewers, and the show's success could pave the way for more ambitious projects. Whether you're a die-hard DC fan or just love a good sci-fi mystery, Lanterns is definitely worth your time. New episodes air Sundays on HBO Max, so mark your calendars.
