Green Lantern (2011)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
A test pilot becomes the first human member of an intergalactic police force and must defend Earth from a powerful being of fear.
The story
Billions of years ago, the Guardians of the Universe created the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic police force. When the hero Abin Sur is mortally wounded by the malevolent being Parallax, his power ring seeks a successor on Earth. Hal Jordan, a cocky test pilot, is chosen by the ring and becomes the first human member of the Corps. However, his training is interrupted by the emergence of Hector Hammond, a scientist who gains psychic powers and a dangerous agenda. Hal must learn to master his new abilities and his ring's power to protect his home and the universe from the encroaching threat of Parallax.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After Abin Sur is wounded by Parallax and crashes on Earth, his ring selects Hal Jordan, a test pilot, as his successor. Hal is transported to the planet Oa to train with the Green Lantern Corps, but he struggles to master the ring's power and eventually returns to Earth. Meanwhile, scientist Hector Hammond is exposed to Parallax's DNA, granting him psychic powers and a growing obsession with his father. Hal eventually discovers that Parallax is approaching Earth to consume its fear. While the Guardians of the Universe consider using the forbidden yellow energy of fear to fight Parallax, Hal decides to face the threat alone. After a confrontation with Hammond, Hal faces Parallax in a battle that spans the Solar System. He successfully traps and destroys Parallax in the sun's gravity. Following the victory, Hal is officially welcomed into the Corps, while Sinestro secretly claims a yellow ring of fear, foreshadowing a future rebellion.
- First release year
- 2011
- Runtime (minutes)
- 123
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Martin Campbell
- Cast and characters
- Ryan Reynolds · Hal Jordan / Green Lantern; Blake Lively · Carol Ferris; Peter Sarsgaard · Hector Hammond; Mark Strong · Thaal Sinestro; Angela Bassett · Amanda Waller; Tim Robbins · Robert Hammond; Temuera Morrison · Abin Sur; Geoffrey Rush · Tomar-Re; Michael Clarke Duncan · Kilowog; Taika Waititi · Thomas Kalmaku
- Genres
- superhero; action; science fiction
- Themes
- responsibility; fear; willpower
- Tone and mood
- epic; action-packed
- Premise and plot tags
- origin story; superhero; space opera
- Source material / true-story basis
- DC Comics
- Franchise connections
- DC
- Reception
- The film received negative reviews from critics, though the lead actor's performance was praised. It was considered a box-office disappointment, failing to meet expectations and leading to the abandonment of planned sequels.
- Production trivia
- The film was converted to 3D during post-production.; The production was filmed in New Orleans, which doubled for Coast City.; The film was intended to launch a shared universe, but plans were abandoned after its release.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…
