If Lanterns has you looking for more science fiction with an investigative edge, start with these five series. The upcoming DC/HBO drama pairs Green Lantern veteran Hal Jordan with new recruit John Stewart in an Earth-based murder mystery, so the closest matches depend on what appeals to you: detective work, a tense partnership, superhero mythology, or larger-scale sci-fi. Prime Video’s series listing identifies Kyle Chandler as Jordan and Aaron Pierre as Stewart; HBO Max’s press room lists an August 2026 debut on HBO and HBO Max.
What makes a series a good match for Lanterns?
Lanterns is based on DC’s Green Lantern characters, but its central setup is an investigation on Earth rather than a purely cosmic adventure. That creates a useful distinction: some recommendations below share the mystery or partnership angle, while others are closer in superhero storytelling, space-opera scale, or political conflict. None is a one-to-one substitute.
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The series has an eight-episode, straight-to-series order, according to Warner Bros. Discovery’s Lanterns pressroom. Here are five different routes into similar viewing territory.
Five sci-fi series to try
1. True Detective — for the grounded investigation
If the murder case and the detective-drama tone are what drew you to Lanterns, True Detective is the most direct tonal comparison among these picks. It puts an investigation and the people pursuing it at the center, rather than relying on superhero spectacle. TVLine also cites the show when comparing the grounded detective approach associated with Lanterns. It is not science fiction, but it is the choice here for viewers who want the case to lead.
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2. Watchmen — for superhero mythology with an investigative core
Watchmen is a strong choice if you want a mystery shaped by comic-book history and questions of power. Its superhero roots bring it closer to Lanterns than a conventional police procedural, while its focus on a mystery makes it a fit for viewers who prefer consequences and character conflict to nonstop action. The connection is in the mix of investigation and superhero mythology, not a shared Green Lantern continuity.
3. The Expanse — for a wider science-fiction canvas
Choose The Expanse for the cosmic side of the appeal: a detailed future setting, competing interests, and conflicts that expand beyond one case or one world. It differs from the Earth-based premise described for Lanterns, but suits viewers who want their science fiction to scale up into space and broader political tensions.
Rank #2
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4. Legion — for a stranger superhero experience
Legion takes superhero material in a more surreal, psychologically disorienting direction. It is worth trying if you want an unusual take on comic-book powers and identity rather than a conventional team-up or procedural. Its appeal is the genre experimentation; it is less closely aligned with the grounded murder-investigation setup of Lanterns.
5. Lost — for a mystery that keeps widening
If you like stories where a central mystery gradually opens into bigger questions, Lost offers that expanding sense of uncertainty and a large ensemble of characters. It is not a superhero series, and its setting is far from the Green Lantern cosmos, but its mystery-driven structure can suit viewers who want theories, reveals, and character relationships to keep developing together.
Rank #3
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Pick by the part of Lanterns you want more of
| What you want | Start with | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| A grounded case | True Detective | Investigation and detective drama take priority. |
| Superhero mythology and mystery | Watchmen | Comic-book history informs a mystery-driven story. |
| Space and political scale | The Expanse | It broadens the focus to a larger science-fiction setting and competing interests. |
| Experimental superhero storytelling | Legion | It offers a less conventional treatment of powers and identity. |
| An unfolding ensemble mystery | Lost | Its central questions widen as relationships and reveals accumulate. |
Streaming availability varies by region and can change, so check the service catalogs where you live before choosing a show.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Want more Green Lantern background?
For the source mythology rather than another TV series, DC’s Lanterns explainer points readers toward Green Lantern comics to read before watching. It does not establish one required reading order or a specific collected edition, so treat the comics as optional context rather than prerequisite homework.
Quick Recap
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