The debut of DC Studios' "Lanterns" drew 9.3 million viewers across HBO and HBO Max in its first three days, marking the biggest premiere for a DC Studios show on the platform and placing it among the top five launches overall. The strong showing signals continued audience appetite for DC-branded content on Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming service, following a strategic reshuffle that shifted the series from a planned Max original to an HBO broadcast title.

Of the 9.3 million total viewers, 6.6 million watched in the United States alone within the three-day window, according to figures released by HBO. For comparison, "The Penguin" reached 10.4 million viewers after 11 days upon its 2024 launch, while "It: Welcome to Derry" attracted 5.7 million viewers in its first three days last year. Based on DC's "Green Lantern" comics, "Lanterns" stars Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler as intergalactic police investigating a murder in the American heartland, with a cast including Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt and Laura Linney; it was ordered for eight episodes in June 2024 and is co-written by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King.