Lanterns season 1 has come to an end. The grounded comic-book show presented a fresh take on the traditionally intergalactic space cops and established a new kind of Lantern for the DCU going forward.
Of course, it was also a gripping mystery, one that kept us hooked and guessing till the very end. You'll find a full rundown of all the biggest twists and turns below, alongside details on the release date, how the critical reception has been, a full cast list and where you can watch. If it's a full, spoiler-filled breakdown of the Lanterns finale you're after, head over to our Lanterns ending explained.
For more, check out our guides to DCU Chapter One and how to watch the DC movies in order.
Lanterns release date
Lanterns premiered on August 16, 2026.
New episodes released every Sunday on HBO and HBO Max (and NOW in the UK), with the finale airing on October 4.
Lanterns reviews
It's certainly a bright day for the DCU again. Lanterns is currently beloved by critics and currently has an outstanding 95% 'Fresh' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Our own Lanterns review marked it out as one of the must-see superhero events of the year, awarding it 4.5 out of 5.
While it was slightly dinged for remixing the origins of its two leads, our reviewer Bradley Russell praised the masterful work done by Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, as well as the plot's lightning-quick momentum.
Lanterns cast
The Lanterns cast is led by Friday Night Lights' Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, who starred in Netflix's acclaimed action thriller, Rebel Ridge. They're backed up by the familiar face of Nathan Fillion, once more playing fellow Lantern Guy Gardner. Long-time comics fans, meanwhile, will be excited to learn that Sinestro – a former Lantern who has since gone rogue – will also appear, played by Ulrich Thomsen.
Check out the complete Lanterns cast list below:
- Kyle Chandler – Hal Jordan
- Aaron Pierre – John Stewart
- Kelly Macdonald – Kerry Kane
- Nathan Fillion – Guy Gardner
- Garret Dillahunt – William Macon
- Poorna Jagannathan – Zoe Macon
- Ulrich Thomsen – Sinestro
- Nicole Ari Parker – Bernadette Stewart
- Jason Ritter – Billy Macon
- Sherman Augustus – John Stewart Sr.
- Paul Ben-Victor – Antaan
- Chris Coy – Waylon Sanders
- Cary Christopher – Young Noah
- Laura Linney – Lianna
- Hannah Christine Shetler – Maggie
- Shea Pritchard – Noah
Lanterns plot
The series follows two members of the Green Lantern Corps – a group of intergalactic (and therefore not always human) peacekeepers. Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) is a test pilot from Earth who was recruited by the Corps in around 1986. Fast forward to 2016 and he's tasked with training up new Lantern Corps recruit and former Marine, John Stewart (Aaron Pierre). Together, the two investigate a murder in Rushville, Nebraska.
Very quickly, they uncover an alien conspiracy deep in the heart of Rushville. That's after a mass murder at a high school football game leads to the emergence of extraterrestrial activity in the area in the form of a Manhunter, who crash-landed on Earth and killed Hal Jordan's predecessor, Abin Sur.
Despite the tough love Hal shows John in his 'training', the pair uncover the identity of the Manhunter – Zoe Macon – and eliminate her, but not before she's able to destroy much of Rushville.
Hal goes to prison for a decade for reckless endangerment, while Hal walks away from the ring and his destiny, believing the Guardians to be a corrupt institution. In 2026, Hal is murdered on the very same Rushville bleachers that he sat on with John a decade prior. John investigates with the help of Hal's backed-up consciousness (aka the Halogram) and discovers that Zoe created a second Manhunter – her grandson, Noah – all those years ago.
In the process, John also learns that Sinestro was broken out of space prison by Noah in order to construct a ring and lantern for the Manhunter, which could make him unstoppable. John is ambushed by Noah, who tells the erstwhile trainee that he killed Hal after Hal refused to let Noah live in peace after learning his true identity. The truth, however, is that Kerry killed Hal to protect her son.
Noah lets John go and asks John to kill him in return, as he did with Noah's grandmother. John chooses to let Noah live, despite the danger, and instead becomes an 'independent' lantern on Earth, much to Guy Gardner's chagrin. The season ends with John bidding an emotional goodbye to Hal Jordan, and flying off as Earth's new Lantern.
Is there a Lanterns trailer?
The first Lanterns trailer was released behind closed doors during an HBO Upfront presentation and it finally hit the internet in March 2026. The two-minute clip, which you can watch above, teases Hal and John's dynamic (it looks like we can expect plenty of bickering), as well as tensions between the Green Lantern Corps and the Earth-based cops as a mystery investigation unfolds. The teaser also gives us our first glimpse at the Green Lantern suit, the Power Ring, and Hal flying, but it's a pretty grounded take on the heroes, otherwise.
Another new trailer was released at San Diego Comic-Con (relive with our SDCC 2026 live coverage). This teaser featured Green Lantern's nemesis Sinestro and a reveal that they're looking for shape-shifting aliens the Manhunters. Watch it above.
Where can I watch Lanterns?
This one is easy to answer if you live in the United States. Lanterns, like all the other DCU projects, will be available to stream in the US on HBO Max.
In the UK, it's available on HBO Max, Sky Atlantic, and on NOW TV. Keep your eyes on this guide as we update you on the latest streaming news. While we wait, you can also check out our list of the best shows on HBO Max to watch right now!
For more, keep up with all the upcoming superhero movies and shows heading your way.
