4 Years Later, The Green Lantern Movie Where Hal Jordan Dies Shines on HBO Max

Four years after its original release, Green Lantern: Beware My Power is getting a surprising second wind on HBO Max. According to FlixPatrol, the 2022 DC animated movie has climbed back into the platform’s movie rankings, and as of August 27, 2026, it sits at No. 8, putting the once-overlooked Green Lantern story back on the map.

Directed by Jeff Wamester, the film stars Aldis Hodge as John Stewart, a former Marine who is chosen to become a Green Lantern. It also marked Hodge’s first portrayal of the iconic DC hero. Despite mixed reviews at its premiere, Green Lantern: Beware My Power is now finding new viewers on streaming, proving Green Lantern’s cosmic appeal still burns brightly.

What Went Wrong With Green Lantern: Beware My Power?

When Green Lantern: Beware My Power arrived in 2022, it seemed like a no-brainer. John Stewart, one of DC’s most recognizable Green Lanterns, was finally getting the spotlight in an animated feature. On paper, that sounds like a dream Green Lantern movie. In practice, though, it became a case of too much Green Lantern and not enough John Stewart.

That problem is reflected in its 56% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on nine critic reviews, while its audience score sits at 52% (as of August 27, 2026).

So, what actually went wrong? The movie tried to tell several stories at once. John’s origin is competing for attention with the Rann-Thanagar conflict, Sinestro’s plans, Adam Strange’s personal story, and the shocking Hal Jordan/Parallax storyline. That’s a lot to squeeze into an hour-and-a-half movie.

The narrative went increasingly complicated, with the story gradually pulling away from Stewart as more characters and plot threads were introduced. Instead of building John’s emotional journey and letting him grow into the role, the movie keeps throwing another piece of Green Lantern mythology at the audience.

Still, Green Lantern: Beware My Power deserves another chance. The film has a terrific central idea, a strong vocal performance from Hodge, some genuinely impressive action and a version of John Stewart who deserves more screen time. Its biggest problem was never a lack of potential—it was trying to fit an entire Green Lantern encyclopedia into one movie.

With renewed interest in John Stewart and the wider Green Lantern universe, audiences might appreciate what works here while recognizing what didn’t. Sometimes a movie doesn’t need to be rediscovered as a masterpiece. It just needs another chance to be seen for what it was trying to do.

‘Lanterns’ Brought Green Lantern Universe Back in the Spotlight

Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in Lanterns / Credits: HBO

Lanterns has done more than introduce a new chapter for DC; it has put the entire Green Lantern universe back in the center.

Released on HBO Max on August 16, 2026, the new series starring Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan has reignited fan curiosity, sending viewers back to earlier Green Lantern movies and animated projects they may have overlooked. That renewed interest is already giving titles like Green Lantern: Beware My Power another chance to shine.

More importantly, the show’s strong audience reception could be a major win for the franchise. Viewers have responded strongly to Lanterns, praising its grounded mystery, strong performances, and especially the chemistry between the lead stars.

When a new series gets people digging through the character’s history, it creates a bigger appetite for Green Lantern stories across movies, animation, comics, and television. It only needs a new generation of fans to discover the old stuff while becoming excited for what’s coming next.

What are your thoughts on the Green Lantern universe? Let us know in the comments!

Green Lantern: Beware My Power is currently streaming on HBO Max.