‘Lanterns’ surges to 10 million viewers as Episode 3 beats its huge HBO Max debut

Lanterns is gaining momentum with every new episode, as the DC Studios series reached a new viewership high with its third instalment. Episode 3 attracted 10 million global viewers during its first three days of availability across HBO and HBO Max, according to internal figures from Warner Bros. Discovery reported by TheWrap. The episode also reached 7 million viewers in the United States during the same period.

The latest figure represents a noticeable rise from the series premiere, which recorded 9.3 million global viewers across its first three days. The debut included 6.6 million viewers in the United States and immediately placed Lanterns among the top five series premieres in HBO Max history. The premiere also became the biggest launch for a DC Studios series on the platform at the time.

Episode 3, titled "OutKast", arrived on August 30 and shifted the focus towards Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart. The instalment explored Stewart’s childhood, his family and the experiences that helped shape him into the future Green Lantern being prepared to succeed Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan.

That character focused approach appears to have maintained the audience that arrived for the opening episode while bringing in additional viewers. The 10 million global figure marks the highest three day audience reported for an individual episode of the series so far, giving Lanterns a rare early pattern of growth rather than a decline following its premiere.

The numbers also arrive as the series continues its weekly rollout. Lanterns premiered on August 16, with new episodes released each Sunday in the United States. Episode 3 therefore represents the latest measurement of how the audience is responding as the mystery surrounding Stewart and Hal Jordan develops.

The strong performance is particularly notable because Episode 3 was heavily centred on Stewart’s personal history instead of relying solely on the broader superhero mythology. The episode introduced Jasmine Cephas Jones as Bernadette Stewart and J. Alphonse Nicholson as John Stewart Sr, giving viewers a deeper look at the family circumstances surrounding John’s upbringing. The story revealed that Bernadette played a crucial role in preparing her son for the future expected of him.

The episode has also generated considerable discussion around John Stewart’s identity and his experiences as a Black man in America. Writer Vanessa Baden Kelly defended the decision to explore those themes after criticism surrounding the episode, pointing to their connection with the character’s comic book history.

For HBO Max and DC Studios, the continuing audience growth gives Lanterns a strong early position within the new DC Universe. The series stars Pierre as John Stewart and Chandler as Hal Jordan, with a supporting cast including Laura Linney, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan and Nathan Fillion.

The latest figures also put the spotlight on the show’s ability to hold audience attention after its record setting debut. With Episode 3 now reaching 10 million global viewers in its opening three days, Lanterns has established a clear upward trend through its first three episodes.