DCU’s New Controversial Show & More HBO Max Releases This Week

August 9, 2026

The new movie and TV releases coming to HBO Max from August 10 to August 16, 2026, include DCU’s Lanterns Season 1.

The superhero series is created by Damon Lindelof, Chris Mundy, and Tom King. It is based on the DC Comics’ Green Lantern characters Hal Jordan and John Stewart and is the third television series in the DC Universe.

The story follows intergalactic peacekeepers, Green Lanterns who receive powers from rings. Hal Jordan and John Stewart delve deep into a murder in Rushville, Nebraska that led them to interesting mysteries. The star cast features Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre, Kelly Macdonald, Nathan Fillion, and many others in key roles.

Co-creator Chris Mundy answered a question, “What Lanterns are we talking about here?” He told Den of Geek, “It was always going to be John and Hal. There was never a doubt.” Mundy also compared the show’s vibe with the film Midnight Run.

“It’s brand new inside the story of Green Lanterns, but there’s a real tradition of ‘buddy cop’ [storytelling],” the creator said. He continued, “There’s affection, but there’s also some aggression back and forth. The series was written to be in the rhythm of the banter of those two guys.”

There was also backlash due to the lack of the color green in the first teaser trailer. However, co-creator Damon Lindelof responded to the backlash humorously. “It’s called Lanterns, because we all agreed that the ‘Green’ was stupid, so now it’s just Lanterns,” he said on the Lovett or Leave It podcast.

Also coming to HBO Max is Normal. The action comedy film focuses on a new sheriff in a small town uncovering a secret following a botched bank robbery. It mostly recieved positive reviews from critics. The film has a star cast of Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler, Lena Headey, and Reena Jolly among others, in important roles.