The third episode of the HBO Max series Lanterns has reached a global audience of 10 million viewers within just three days of its release, Comicbookmovie reports.
- September 4, 2026
AceShowbiz - The third episode of the HBO Max series Lanterns has reached a global audience of 10 million viewers within just three days of its release, Comicbookmovie reports. This milestone also came with some controversy surrounding the episode’s content.
Variety confirms that the episode attracted 7 million viewers in the United States during the same period, marking the highest viewership for the series so far. TheWrap adds that this growth in audience reflects a steady week-to-week rise since the show’s August 16 premiere, which initially drew 9.3 million viewers globally and 6.6 million in the U.S. Overall, the pilot episode has surpassed 20 million viewers worldwide and continues to gain traction. TheWrap also notes the episode’s significant social media impact, with the hashtag #Lanterns trending in the U.S. top 10 on X for 11 hours and holding the number one spot for 8 hours on its premiere night.
Lanterns is a sci-fi and fantasy series produced by DC Studios and distributed by HBO. It stars Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, focusing on their roles as intergalactic police officers investigating a murder with cosmic connections in the American heartland. Episode three delves into John Stewart’s backstory, highlighting his training and evaluation by a Guardian to determine if he is ready to succeed Hal Jordan as Green Lantern. The series is co-written by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, with executive producers including James Hawes, James Gunn, Peter Safran, and Ron Schmidt.
This surge in viewers not only underscores Lanterns as one of the most successful series launches in HBO Max history but also positions it as the biggest premiere for any DC Studios show on the platform, outpacing notable titles such as It: Welcome to Derry, The Penguin, and True Detective: Night Country. The continued audience growth and social media buzz demonstrate the series’ strong cultural resonance, even as it sparks debate among fans and critics alike.
This article is based on reporting originally published by Comicbookmovie.
