Photo Credit: HBO
The DCU project everyone doubted just broke a record that even Superman couldn’t touch. Lanterns silenced its critics with a Rotten Tomatoes milestone that puts it above every other title in the franchise.
Lanterns is officially DCU’s highest-rated show on Rotten Tomatoes
Lanterns has climbed to a 95% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, according to the review aggregator.
The HBO series now holds the title of the highest-rated project in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe. The score surpasses Peacemaker Season 2 at 94%, Creature Commandos at 93%, Superman at 83%, and Supergirl at 52%.
The series initially debuted with an 89% score when the review embargo lifted on August 14. However, additional positive reviews pushed it to 95% within hours of its August 16 premiere. The score is based on 71 critic reviews with an average rating of 7.65 out of 10. Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states that the show features “fearless performances, grounded writing, and charismatic chemistry” from Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre.
The audience reception has also remained strong for the DC Studios production. The Popcornmeter currently sits at 85%, making it the most well-received DCU television series among viewers. This score beats the audience ratings for both Creature Commandos and Peacemaker Seasons 1 and 2.
The strong performance arrives at a crucial time for the DCU’s expanding slate. The franchise faced setbacks earlier this summer with Supergirl’s underwhelming box office and mixed critical reception. Lanterns’ success now shifts the narrative around the franchise’s trajectory heading into future projects.
Co-creator Damon Lindelof addressed fan expectations during a recent Variety interview. “The one thing that fans hate more than being listened to is fan service,” Lindelof said. He added that fandom is not a monolith and acknowledged audiences want storytellers to take creative risks. Season 2 discussions are already underway, with writer Christopher Cantwell joining showrunner Chris Mundy for potential continuation.
