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Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan in “Lanterns.”
Credit: Courtesy of HBO.
You’re not alone: Everyone loves HBO’s Lanterns. The rebooted D.C. universe has gotten off to a wobbly start, but the new series about Green Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) breaking in his eventual replacement, John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), is terrific fun, somehow finding the perfect balance of superhero insanity and True Detective-ish buddy cop banter. Chandler and Pierre’s chemistry is off the charts, and the story is legitimately great. It’s a show that both fans of superhero narratives and folks who’ve never watched a single D.C. or Marvel movie can love. If you need more of that (and you’ve already burned through the other series that swim in the same waters), there’s one perfect movie for you: The original Men in Black.
Why fans of Lanterns should watch Men in Black
Agents K (Tommy Lee Jones) and J (Will Smith) aren’t superheroes, but with their access to alien technology and the bottomless resources of the Men in Black (MIB) organization, they might as well be. If you especially love the bickering, adversarial relationship between jaded, burned-out veteran Hal Jordan and his impatient, younger mentee, John Stewart, in Lanterns, you’ll love the chemistry between Smith and Jones as they investigate a dangerous, unregistered alien on Earth that is seeking an artifact with unimaginable power. It’s pitched at a slightly sillier level, but this movie will scratch that Lanterns itch. Stream Men in Black on Hulu or rent it on Prime Video.
More movies to watch after Lanterns
If you’re looking to stock your own private film festival to tide you over until the next season of Lanterns, here are a few more movies that deliver similar character dynamics and sci-fi mysteries to solve.
Watchmen (2009)
If you love the way Lanterns presents superhero characters as complex human beings in a relatively realistic setting, Zack Snyder’s 2009 adaptation of Alan Moore’s legendary comic is a great choice. Set in a universe where masked vigilantes rose to prominence in an increasingly dystopian America, the film is a little bit less grounded in its depiction of the world, but no less gritty, and the mystery elements and character interactions will be right up your alley if you loved Lanterns. Rent Watchmen on Prime Video.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
If it’s the investigation and pulpy noir elements of Lanterns that hooked you, the sequel to 1982’s Blade Runner is perfect—especially once Harrison Ford’s grizzled Rick Deckard and Ryan Gosling’s tortured replicant K meet. Structured as a mystery, Blade Runner 2049 also builds a solid, believable future world that feels terrifyingly real, and the interaction between K and Deckard makes it a great match for fans of the show. Stream Blade Runner 2049 on Paramount+ or Fubo, or rent it on Prime Video.
What do you think so far?
The Nice Guys (2016)
The chemistry and charisma between Stewart and Jordan on Lanterns is stellar, and a big reason for the show’s success. Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling offer a similar vibe in The Nice Guys, a severely underrated movie. As a down-on-his-luck private eye and a criminal enforcer who team up to find a young woman in trouble, the two actors are terrifically entertaining, and have a similar dynamic to Jordan and Stewart, with Crowe playing the rough, cynical senior partner and Gosling playing the junior who chafes at Crowe’s more experienced vibe (though Gosling’s Holand March is a lot less intimidating and capable than Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart). Rent The Nice Guys on Prime Video.
Alien Nation (1988)
While the writing here isn’t at the same level as Lanterns, Alien Nation is here because it’s a unique take on the buddy-cop relationship. In a world where a ship filled with alien slaves crashes on Earth and the aliens are integrated into society, James Caan plays a grizzled police detective who hates the “Newcomers.” When he’s partnered with an alien recruit (Mandy Patinkin) to investigate a pair of murders, he must get over his prejudice and learn to get along with the Newcomers. If you’re looking for more speculative cop stories, check this one out. Rent Alien Nation on Prime Video.
The Hidden (1987)
In Los Angeles, a series of law-abiding, normal citizens go on violent rampages. Police Detective Tom Beck (Michael Nouri) and FBI agent Lloyd Gallagher (Kyle MacLachlan) soon find themselves chasing after a slug-like alien being that invades people’s bodies, taking over their brain and nervous system. Beck has to play catch-up, fast—especially when he discovers that Gallagher isn’t at all what he seems. It’s a forgotten gem of horror-sci-fi that fans of Lanterns will enjoy. Rent The Hidden on Prime Video.
